Experts everywhere have been raving about how homegrown vegetables are more nutritious. In color, taste, and composition, homegrown vegetables seem to win. So, why haven’t you started planting a vegetable garden in your backyard yet?
Growing vegetables in your very own yard may seem impossible, but it doesn’t take a gardening expert to get it done. No matter your level of gardening experience, you can conquer food gardening.
Let’s go over some of the best tips that we have for all of you beginners out there. These will save you some trouble when you start planting your own vegetable garden.
- Location, Location, Location
Because of the movement of the sun, the location in which you decide to plant your vegetables matters. The right spot can make a big difference when it comes to plant growth.
First, you need to make sure that the location that you choose is in a spot where the sunlight sits for a large part of the day. Most vegetables need at least six hours of direct sunlight a day.
Try to avoid shady areas. Even though some leafy vegetables can handle some shade, you shouldn’t compromise the rest of the vegetables’ sunlight.
Second, make sure that you’re maintaining moist soil that easily drains. Moist soil allows the roots of the plants to soak up more water, but having soil that is too wet can drown the plants. Plus, the roots may become rotted in a wet environment.
If the soil is too dry, it’s likely that there are too many rocks that will block the roots from growing.
Making sure that the soil can drain easily is the best way to ensure that there is a good balance between wet and dry soil. Planting your vegetables in a raised bed can help with drainage.
Lastly, you should make sure that you are planting your vegetables in a stable environment. Avoid busy places with a lot of foot traffic as well as places with too much wind exposure.
The location should also be free from annoyances like gnats and other garden pests. Get rid of gnats and other non-pollinators to keep your vegetable garden fresh.
- Plot Size Problems
Start small. If you start with a large garden, it’s likely that you’ll become frustrated by having to maintain that many vegetables all at once.
We recommend starting with a couple of your favorite vegetables and adding more as you get the hang of it.
We also urge you to think about how many vegetables your household is currently eating. Unless you’re looking to make a business out of your vegetable garden, we doubt that your household needs an entire cornfield to sustain its meals.
It’s better to start small and have to supplement your homegrown vegetables with vegetables from the market than have to throw out food because it’s gone bad from not being eaten quick enough.
- Easy-to-Grow Vegetables
Since you’re a beginner, we wouldn’t recommend starting with the most difficult crops. Instead, you should go with one or some of the following vegetables:
- Lettuce
- Cherry tomatoes
- Green beans
- Carrots
- Peas
- Kale
- Chard
- Spinach
- Peppers
- Zucchini
- Beets
- Radishes
Of course, you should be focusing on vegetables that you and your family will enjoy eating. Don’t spend your time tending to vegetables that are going to go bad.
- Flower Power
Flowers really do have power in a garden. They serve multiple purposes.
First, flowers do provide lots of color and beauty to a garden. But, there’s so much more.
Flowers also encourage pollinators to come to your garden. This increases crop health and helps your garden flourish. Pollinators are the kinds of insects that you want near your plants.
On the other hand, you don’t want pests near your garden. The great thing is that flowers help with these creatures as well. Flowers discourage pests from messing with your vegetables.
- Time to Plant
Unfortunately, not every vegetable can grow at any time of year. There are seasons and times for everything.
To determine when the best time is to plant your favorite vegetables, you’ll need to do some research. Times differ based on location and species, so you should make sure that you’re researching based on your exact location and the kinds of seeds that you have.
Once you’ve found out when the best time to plant your vegetables is, it’s time to get planting.
All of your preparation and research have led to this moment. It’s time to give yourself and your family better quality food and give yourself the satisfaction of a homegrown garden.
- Slow Down
Food gardening isn’t easy. Given that you have to produce something that is edible, you should be careful as to how quickly you jump into the process.
Growing vegetables is exciting, but it isn’t a process that you should rush. In fact, rushing your garden may make things worse.
Take your time when you’re getting started. Do your research to find high-quality seeds and optimal growing times. Make sure that you’ve prepared high-quality soil and the perfect gardening spot.
The better prepared you are for your vegetable garden, the better that your vegetables will turn out. Just think of it as a home improvement project.
If you’re getting into food gardening for your family, we suggest getting them in on the fun, too. Not only will it make the process more laid back, but it will also help you pass the healthy habits to others.
After Planting a Vegetable Garden
Congratulations! You’re ready to get started with your very own vegetable garden. The process may not be smooth at first, but we’re sure that you’ll learn more as you go.
Planting a vegetable garden can be a very fulfilling activity, and you should understand it as such. You’re about to be making more nutritious food choices for yourself and your family.
After you’ve started your gardening journey, be sure to come back here for more home and health advice. With our wide range of topics, we can help you find your next great project.
