This article is a step-by-step guide to planting a vegetable garden. It covers the basics for the beginner to grow their own vegetables in their own backyard.
Imagine hosting a dinner party where the first thing you serve is a leafy salad with vine tomatoes, beets, and carrots. Then imagine the delight at informing your guests that if they would like more of anything, they’re welcome to go out to your garden and pick it!
That’s what it’s like to grow your own produce. It’s surprisingly easy and by the time you’ve learned everything you need to know and your vegetables start to grow, you’ll be begging your friends to take the surplus off your hands!
Where to Build a Garden
Whether you live in the city or country, house or an apartment, there’s always space to let a little green grow. Pick a place that...
Has more sun than shade
Has a predictable temperature
Is out of the way of predators
It’s optimal to find an area that has more sun than shade because most plants need the sun for photosynthesis. This is the process where plants with chlorophyll (what makes them appear green) transfer the sun’s energy into their form of food.
A predictable temperature is important because you’re picking your seeds based on the environment you’ll be placing them in. If you plant underneath your air conditioner unit, for example, your plants will not thrive.
Avoiding predators can be difficult when you plant outside. After all, it’s nature. But use common sense – if your dog has free reign of the yard, it’s probably best to put a small fence around your garden to keep him from digging it up!
What to Plant
Every climate is different. Some vegetables will grow like weeds in a certain temperature and others will shrivel up and die. It just depends. It’s important that when planning your garden, you talk to the gardening expert at the shop where you purchase your seeds.
Honestly communicate to them how much time you’ll have to tend your garden
Describe what you’d like your garden to look like and how much you’d like it to yield
Find out what type of zone you live in and what plants correspond
Like pets, some plants need constant attention. So, if you’re the type of person that has time to care for a dog, you’ll be okay with the vegetables that need constant water and weeding. If you’re better suited to maintain a goldfish, ask the expert to hook you up with some survivors!
Some vegetables grow faster and more generously than others. It’s important to determine which are these so you can plant less of them and more of the slower variety. This way, you’ll have a garden balanced in both appearance and productivity.
The country is divided up into zones, or areas that have a typical climate, and several seed packages will tell you what zone their particular plants thrives in.
But if you’re planting your garden in an area where a house blocks the sun or the wind blows unusually hard, your zone may not be as accurate as you think. Explain the conditions of where you want to plant to your gardening expert and they’ll be able to guide you on your way.