Imagine being able to make a meal from vegetables you grew yourself. This is possible when you plant a vegetable garden on your property. Now, if you’re thinking you’re not skilled enough to garden, you’re wrong.
Starting a vegetable gardening project from scratch takes a bit of planning, but once it’s ready, you’ll be harvesting your own crops in no time at all.
Start Small
Instead of growing an entire farmer’s market your first seasons, it’s better to limit yourself to only a few different crops. Consider which vegetables you consume the most and make it a goal to grow these. Start by only growing a few vegetable beds this year, with the goal of adding a few more next year. This will give you enough time to master growing one type of vegetable before you worry about another.
Designate an Area
Depending on the size of your garden, use all or part of it for growing vegetables. You need to make sure the area you select gets plenty of natural sunlight. It’s also important to choose a space that has plenty of water drainage. You don’t want your garden to get waterlogged during the wet seasons. If you’re growing herbs, you may want to place them close to your kitchen, so you easily access them while cooking.
Decide on a Gardening System
There are many ways to grow vegetables, and you need to pick which one will work best in your garden. You must decide between the following: traditional rows, raised beds, and square foot gardening. Make sure there is plenty of space between your rows so that you can easily maintain your garden. Those with small kids or pets often find raised beds are the best for keeping curious hands out of the crops. Talk to a local garden designer if unsure of the best layout.
Design a Crop Layout
Don’t just plant your crops anywhere. Come up with a layout that takes full advantage of your space. For example, climbing crops can benefit from being planted near tall plants. Larger plants also provide shade. If you want to attract helpful insects that will help pollinate or kill harmful pests, then plant flowers in the area. It’s even wise to plant a variety of vegetables in the same space to confuse potential pests.
Take the Type of Vegetable into Consideration
Different vegetables require different conditions to thrive. Tomatoes and peppers, for instance, need plenty of sunlight. Roaming plants, including squash and melon, should be placed on the edge of the bed, leaving plenty of room for the vines to grow. Plants that need more irrigation, such as strawberries or celery, should be planted in lower areas that retain more water.
Allow for Space between the Crops
While it may be tempting to fill every section of your garden with bulbs and seeds, this isn’t a good idea. An overcrowded vegetable garden will not thrive. Roots need room to grow. Some plants need space to roam. You should think about accessibility when planting. Make sure you leave enough room to harvest and prune your crops. If you overcrowd your garden, you’ll end up spending more time thinning out your crops instead of harvesting them. Plan to ensure every crop has enough space to grow and thrive.
Author, Freelance writer