Get Started Gardening
Whether you’re new to gardening or have been at it for years, whether you’re using pots or a traditional plot, this guidance will assist you in planning and cultivating your most delicious vegetables yet.
Why garden? If you haven’t experienced the taste of fresh vegetables from your own garden (many people haven’t!), you’ll be astonished by the sweet flavors and vibrant textures. There’s nothing quite like them, especially when you grow them yourself—and you absolutely can!
We’ll cover the essentials of planning a vegetable garden: how to choose the best location, determine the appropriate size, and select the vegetables you want to grow.
START WITH A SMALL VEGETABLE GARDEN
Keep this in mind: It’s better to feel proud of a smaller garden than to feel overwhelmed by a larger one! One common mistake among beginners is planting too much too soon and far more than anyone can eat or want. Unless you’re ready to store zucchini in your attic, plan carefully. Start small.
WHERE AND HOW TO PLANT A VEGETABLE GARDEN
• Plant in a sunny location. Vegetables require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. The more sunlight they get, the larger the harvest and the better the flavor.
• Plant in rich soil. Plants’ roots grow better in soft, loamy soil, so ensure your soil is well-prepared. Adding compost enriches the soil with necessary nutrients. Make sure you have proper drainage to prevent water from pooling or draining too quickly.
• Space your crops correctly. For instance, corn requires plenty of space and can overshadow smaller plants. When plants are too close together, they compete for sunlight, water, and nutrients, which hinders their growth. Follow the spacing instructions on seed packets and plant labels.
• Buy quality seeds. Seed packets are generally cheaper than individual plants. If seeds fail to germinate, you’ll waste both time and money. Spending a few extra cents in the spring for quality seeds will result in better yields during harvest time.
VEGETABLE GARDEN PLOT SIZE
A good-sized beginner vegetable garden is around 16 by 10 feet and should include crops that are relatively easy to grow. A plot of this size, based on the vegetables recommended below, can feed a family of four over the summer, with some surplus for canning, freezing, or sharing. Create 11 rows, each 10 feet long and running north to south to maximize sun exposure.
SUGGESTED PLANTS FOR VEGETABLE GARDEN
The vegetables listed below are commonly grown and productive, but you should also check with your local cooperative extension to see what varieties thrive best in your area. Consider what you enjoy eating and what might be hard to find in stores or farmers’ markets.
• Tomatoes—5 staked plants
• Zucchini squash—4 plants
• Peppers—6 plants
• Cabbage
• Bush beans
• Leaf and/or Bibb lettuce
• Beets
• Carrots
• Chard
• Radishes
• Marigolds to deter rabbits!
(Note: If this garden feels too large for your needs, you are not required to plant all 11 rows, and you can shorten the rows as well.)
WHEN TO PLANT A VEGETABLE GARDEN
Refer to The Old Farmer’s Almanac’s Best Planting Dates chart, which provides a gardening calendar tailored to your local frost dates and covers both indoor sowing and outdoor planting for various types of plants.
TRY A GARDEN PLANNER
Planning your garden is simple with the Almanac Garden Planner. They have conducted extensive research for you. This tool aids in designing your garden bed, spacing crops properly, and integrating local planting dates. You’ll also find numerous free garden plans for ideas!
Try the Almanac Garden Planner for free at gardenplanner.almanac.com.
Content courtesy of The Old Farmer’s Almanac
