Growing a vegetable garden is an excellent way to get outdoors and get active. You also get the added benefit of getting fresh produce right in your backyard. The process of starting a garden may seem daunting and difficult but when you get started the process becomes a lot easier.
To start your new garden adventure, you must first determine what kind of vegetables you are planning on growing. Try to grow vegetables that people in your household prefer to eat and would enjoy. However, don’t let this stop you from branching out and exploring other vegetables to grow. Asking a local plant and seed nursery is also a great starting point to help you determine when to grow. Below is a chart with vegetables to grow with various circumstances.
Attractive vegetables
asparagus, eggplant, fennel, Jerusalem artichoke, kale, lettuce, peppers, rhubarb, sunflower, and Swiss chard
Easy to grow
broccoli, bush beans, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, peas, potatoes, squash, Swiss chard, and tomatoes
Heat-lovers
beans, corn, eggplant, melons, okra, peanuts, peppers, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and watermelon
Short-season
bush beans, carrots, cress, lettuce, mesclun greens, peas, radishes, scallions, spinach, and summer squash
Shady gardens
beets, carrots, kale, lettuce, potatoes, radishes, rhubarb, scallions, spinach, and Swiss chard
For the kids
blue potatoes, carrots, cherry tomatoes, gourds, peanuts, pole beans on a teepee, pumpkins, seedless watermelons, sweet potatoes, and Swiss chard
Another important step is to determine the location and relative size of the location. Some things to keep in mind are how close you are to a source of water, since gardens require an adequate amount of water it’s better to be close to a good source. Also, avoid heavily shaded areas like near trees or other obstructions that may affect the amount of light that can reach your garden. Lastly, make sure the land is flat. sloped planes can cause puddling of water at the low points. For beginners start small, this will allow you to have more control and flexibility with your garden. Once you get the hang of it you can expand out and introduce more vegetables to your garden.
Another crucial step is to make sure that you have good quality soil. In most cases, if you put plants right into the ground without proper fertilization it could kill the plant. You want the soil to be fertile and well-drained. You can obtain fertilizer from local garden centers to help improve the quality of the soil because fertilizers introduce vital nutrients for plants. To help with adequate drainage and warn up the soil quicker during the spring build raised beds. Reaching out to your local garden center is a great way for you to determine how to get started with that.
- Edible Landscape Initiative
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