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 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. It 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 necessary 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 specific 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, then ask the expert to hook you up with some survivors!
Some vegetables grow faster and more generously than others. It’s essential 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.
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.
Check Your Soil
If you’re planting a garden in the window sill of your apartment, you should purchase the proper soil at the gardening shop. If you’re planting in your backyard or anywhere outdoors, you need to find out what kind of land you’re dealing.
Pick up a wad of dirt and squeeze it together. If it crumbles and falls apart, you’re all set. If it sticks together, your soil is too wet to start planting.
“But I thought wet soil was good!” you’re saying.
Watering the plants is good, but if your soil is too wet in the beginning, when it finally dries out it will harden together, blocking the growth of your seeds.
Wait for the ground to dry out, or if the soil is naturally moist, dig up an area and place the dirt on a garbage bag. Once the soil dries, remove the bag, and you’re ready to plant your seeds.
What You’ll Need to Plant
Okay, you’ve decided where you want to put your garden, what you want to put in it, and about how much time you have to invest. Excellent!
Now it’s time to gather up supplies.
- Seeds
- Trowel or rake
- Small shovel
- Bucket
- Ruler
- Fertilizer
- Hose or watering can
- Seed markers
Planting
The soil is the very foundation of your garden. Now that you know it’s not too moist for planting groom it in preparation for your seeds. Rake through, removing rocks, debris, and anything that might interfere with the growth process.
Condition your soil with the fertilizer appropriate for what you’re planting. Your new plants will appreciate some extra nutrients to help them in their growth but don’t over-do it! That could counteract the positive effect you’re trying to provide. Just follow the directions and add the amount your gardening expert recommends.
Okay, now plan out where you want everything to be. As you discussed the appearance of your garden when you purchased your seeds, you probably have a good idea of what you’re hoping. Still, best to put it down on paper in a simple drawing so you know exactly where you want every new vegetable to go.
Dig trenches. You know where you’re going to put everything, now follow your guide and dig trenches in between each section. Leave enough room to walk through the rows without having to step on any of your plants.
Time to plant! With your ruler, measure the proper distance (it will say on your seed packet) to put each variety of seed into the ground. It’s essential you are accurate on this, as being too close to the surface or too deep in the soil can kill a potential plant.
With the seed marker, mark what row you’re planting then drop your seeds into the holes. Lightly cover with the dirt. Pat the soil down gently.
Using your watering can (at this stage more effective than the hose), water your row of freshly planted seeds. Not too much to start – you want to let the dirt settle into itself, not wash it away.
Hooray!