Place the bag where the plant will grow best. Most vegetables need:

• 6–8 hours of direct sunlight
• Good airflow
• A flat, stable surface

Optional: a tray underneath if indoors to reduce dripping

You can either:

• Direct-seed into the grow bag, OR
• Transplant seedlings from a nursery

General spacing guide:

• Tomatoes: 1 per 20–30 gallon bag
• Sukuma/kale: 3–4 per 10-gallon bag
• Spinach/lettuce: 6–8 per 10-gallon bag
• Onions: 12–20 per 10-gallon bag
• Herbs: up to 5 per 7-gallon bag

Grow bags dry out faster because of breathable fabric, so watering is KEY.

Watering rules:

• Water deeply until water drains out
• In hot weather: water daily
• In cooler weather: every 2–3 days
• Early morning is best

Use organic fertilizers every 2–3 weeks:

• Compost tea
• Liquid seaweed
• Vermicompost
• Manure tea
• Pelleted chicken manure (sparingly)

Grow bags do not hold nutrients longer — so feeding is important.

Mulching helps keep soil moist and healthy.

Good mulches for grow bags:

• Dry grass
• Sawdust (light layer)
• Wood chips
• Sugarcane bagasse

Mulch reduces watering needs by 30–40% and prevents weeds.

For vining or heavy plants like:

• Tomatoes
• Cucumbers
• Peas
• Beans

Use supports such as:

• Stakes
• Trellises
• Tomato cages
• Netting

This prevents breakage and increases yields.

Common pests in grow bags include:

• Aphids
• Whiteflies
• Spider mites
• Caterpillars

Organic control methods:

• Neem oil spray
• Insecticidal soap spray
• Garlic + chili solution
• Companion planting with marigolds

You can reuse the grow bag for 5 years or more with proper care.

For each new season:

1. Remove old soil
2. Add fresh compost
3. Sterilize the bag by exposing it to the sun for a few days
4. Inspect for wear and repair if needed

This keeps plants healthy and prevents disease buildup.

The best soil mix for raised beds must be: Loose, well-draining, and nutrient-rich.

Recommended Soil Mix:

• 40% topsoil
• 40% compost
• 20% cocopeat

Optional layers:

• A few sticks/branches at the bottom for drainage
• Mulch on top to reduce water loss

Never use pure topsoil — it compacts and suffocates roots.

Spacing Matters: Plants grow better when they're not crowded.

Recommended spacing:

• Tomatoes: 45–60 cm
• Kale (sukuma): 25–30 cm
• Spinach: 20–25 cm
• Peppers: 30–40 cm
• Herbs: 15–20 cm
• Carrots: sow thinly
• Onions: 10 cm

Raised beds drain fast — which is good for roots but means water must be managed.

Watering guidelines:

• Water deeply, not lightly
• Best time: early morning
• Use mulch to keep soil moist
• Avoid wetting leaves—reduces fungal diseases

Use compost or organic liquid fertilizer every 2–3 weeks during the growing season.

Fertilizing tips:

• Add top-dressings of compost before each new planting
• Use balanced organic fertilizers
• Avoid chemical fertilizers that may burn plants
• Consider side-dressing for heavy feeders like tomatoes

Common issues in raised beds:

• Aphids – spray neem oil
• Cutworms – use collars around seedlings
• Whiteflies – use yellow sticky traps
• Powdery mildew – spray milk + water mixture
• Caterpillars – hand-pick or use BT (organic)

Raised beds reduce soil-borne pests because you control the soil quality.

Even in raised beds, rotating crops prevents pests/diseases and nutrient depletion.

Example rotation plan:

• Bed 1: tomatoes → beans → spinach
• Bed 2: kale → onions → carrots
• Bed 3: peppers → lettuce → peas

General rule: Never plant the same family back-to-back in the same bed.

Proper end-of-season care ensures healthy soil for the next planting.

End-of-season checklist:

1. Remove dead plants and roots
2. Add fresh compost (2-3 inches)
3. Let the soil rest for 1–2 weeks
4. Solarize if needed (cover with clear plastic to kill pathogens)
5. Consider planting cover crops like clover to enrich soil