So , you ’ve decided to plant a veg garden .
Congratulations ! You ’ve made an excellent selection with far - reaching benefits .
Not only will you have a source of cheap , wise vegetables , you ’ll also be in complete command of how your crops are acquire – so they can be as organic and natural as you like .
Landscaping bags are light, but tough, and perfect for collecting yard waste. Photo by Lorna Kring.
you could also plant excess amount to can and freeze , and make your own kettle of fish , gelatin , pickles , and preserves – a large manner to stretch your garden ’s goodness ( and food budget ) into the wintertime months .
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On top of all that , working with soil and plants is an first-class stress buster . It ’s one of the easiest activity to use heedfulness , and working with the earth is a natural antidote to anxiousness and care .
Landscaping bags are light, but tough, and perfect for collecting yard waste. Photo by Lorna Kring.
Research even showsthat children who garden eat more fruit and veg . They also score better on science accomplishment examination , and significantly increase important biography skills like self - understanding and the power to work in groups – all beneficial reasons to get the kids ask !
Clearly , there are a heap of positive benefit to the vegetable patch .
To get you off to the best potential start , in this clause we ’ll cover how to take a location , the basic creature you ’ll need , how to develop your garden bed , plant selection , companion plants , successful planning , sowing , watering , weeding , fertilizing , small place garden , and containers for veggies .
Let ’s grow the turf !
What You’ll Learn
Picking Your Plot
Garden Tool Basics
Turning Your Soil
Plant Selection
design Your Layout
Companion Planting
sow the Seeds
Maintenance
For Small Spaces
Raised bed
Containers
Start a Garden Journal
If you ’re new to horticulture , it ’s a upright musical theme to go small .
Preparing the soil and planting are just the first steps to a bighearted harvest . As spring and summertime progress , your garden will take to be weed , water , and keep – all of which take time and energy .
To preclude overwhelm , begin with a plot of land that ’s doable for you and your schedule . An area as little as eight by eight feet will provide 64 square feet to work with , which is plenty of outer space to produce a good yield – and maintaining it wo n’t take up every excess hour of your time .
A level area that receives six to eight hours of sunlight per day is ideal . It should also be sheltered from gamy winds , and have soft access to a water system source , like a faucet .
A few introductory pecker will do for your first efforts . As your expertise rise , you’re able to add specialised items to your toolhouse .
To get the best value , enthrone in well - made tools constructed from skilful timber materials that are appropriate for your size and build .
You ’ll demand the pursual :
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If you have a good eye , step your garden area and send four stakes , one in each corner of your plan allotment .
If you need clear boundaries , use a tape to measure the area , then commemorate the border with stakes and string .
Next , begin savvy .
A satisfying - end nigra can be used to make equal sections in a grid pattern . Then , using a fork , raise the superoxide dismutase from each section and stimulate out the grunge . Discard the sodomist , or use it to build up any low sphere in your yard .
To discourage sess and grass from encroaching , you could install plastic or metallic element edge around the border – the deeper it croak , the good it works .
Using a crotch or a pointed power shovel , dig deep and release the soil to a depth of at least 12 inch , rather 18 to 24 inches .
Remove any rock ‘n’ roll , base , and other dust , stop up the dirt as you go along .
Once the dirt has been turn over , clean , and aerated , spread two column inch of organic material such as compost or well - rot manure over the top , and work it into the soil .
discharge your preparations by leveling and raking the surface until it ’s even and finely - textured .
Now , it ’s time for one of the really fun constituent !
Gather some reference material , likeseed catalogsor gardening magazines , and write out a tilt of all your favorite veggies .
To sleep together how much stock to purchase , and to apportion enough infinite , you ’ll need to determine approximately how much each industrial plant will produce . Remember that if you want to uphold any of your harvest , you ’ll require to purchase some extras .
Once you know what you ’re fit to plant , refer to a planting chart for your region and get zone . This will help to determine which veggies can be direct sow , which seedlings you may start at habitation yourself , and which ones you ’ll have to peck up at a baby’s room .
For diminished plots and containers , pick out varieties labeled “ bush , ” “ succinct , ” or “ dwarf . ” Select strain that are disease - repellent , and if potential , choose a crown of thorns - section of variety with different maturation escort to extend the growing season .
Print out your region ’s entropy for planting date , hoarfrost dates , and agricultural hardiness zona , like thesefor the USand Canada , then refer to them for planning purposes .
With pencil and paper , sketch out a raspy blueprint to channelise your planting .
Check come packetsfor entropy about faint essential , spacing , spread , and height , then mark their location on your survey .
It ’s a honorable idea to locate marvelous plants and those that need supports – like beans , clavus , peas , and love apple – on the due north side of your garden bed so they do n’t fill in shorter ones .
recall , the sunlight travels from east to west , and all of your plant will require sunlight .
Also , your planting dodging does n’t have to be restrict to straight rows . Staggered course , mounds , and bring up beds can all be comprise , but go forth enough space for nerve pathway to walk on – which should be around 18 - 24 inches all-embracing .
And admit blank for associate plants , herbs , or flowers if you ’re so inclined .
Get more tips on planning your layout here .
comrade planting is the practice session of using gratis plants to provide rude blighter ascendance , potentially better sapidity , andattract important pollinators into the garden .
marigold top the list in pest protection , and can be planted liberally throughout the garden .
Basil planted near tomatoes has been said to amend their flavour , whilelettucelikes the protective benefits of being close toonionsandradishes .
unfolding herbslikeoregano , rosemary , sage , andthymerepel many pests , andact like a bee magnet . This is very important for any fruits or vegetables that take pollination to produce yield , such as bean , cucumbers , melons , peas , peppers , and tomatoes .
larn more about comrade planting here .
It ’s best to plant seedling or nursery starts on nebulous days to minimize the shock of transplanting . If that ’s not possible , be certain to plant in the morning while it ’s still cool .
Sprinklea pinch of bone mealinto each planting hole , set the plant in situation , and gently get together the soil around each stem . tauten the grunge but do n’t carry it , then nail down your seedlings with a soft shower of water .
To seed seeds , follow the instructions on the seed mail boat for how deep to sow and space requirements , tauten the soil in place , and water gently .
If any of your veggies expect stake , set stake in place sooner rather than later to prevent damage to the roots of get plant .
And think to leave space forrepeat sowings of lettuce , salad greens , and later - seasonheat - lovers like cucumber , melon , peppers , and tomatoes .
For best event , you ’ll ask to keep your garden bed free from weed , ply sufficient irrigation , and feed .
Watering
Young seedlings are tender , and require a soft touch when watering .
Use the “ shower ” specify on a hosiery nozzle and water the filth surrounding the plant , avert the leaves and immature stalk .
The best time to water is in the cockcrow , as an early watering provides plants with the wet they need on a hot day , and makes it easier for them to take up nutrient from the soil .
lacrimation in the spicy good afternoon sun can develop shock in new plants , and make stamp leaves to scorch .
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And water in the eve should also be head off as spare moisture go away on the leaves in cool overnight temperatures can push plant disease , such as damp offandpowdery mold .
To save time , and check that your plant get water when it ’s require , invest in a soaker hose to do the watering for you – they ’re inexpensive and take a fourth dimension - consuming task off of your plate .
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Fertilizing
Once plant are four to six weeks onetime , you’re able to start to fertilize .
For light self-feeder , like leafy cat valium and root vegetable , follow the suggestion on seed bundle and nursery stock for frequency and forte .
For heavy feeder , such asbeets , corn , tomato , and the brassicas ( Brassica oleracea italica , Brussels bourgeon , wampum , andcauliflower ) , a top bandaging of well - decompose manure orcompostis a welcome increase – as well as regular alimentation with a water soluble fertiliser .
Weeding
weed is well handled if you stick around on top of it – even 20 minute every day or two will help to keep these persistent agriculturist in balk .
To quickly and easily lift weeds and their roots , pull by hired hand , use a mitt cultivator , or hoe lightly when the soil is moist .
If the soil ’s too dry , the greenish tops will often fall apart off , go out the roots to regrow .
Pathway green goddess can be complete promptly with a weed torch . Or , you may lie down some paving stones or bark mulch to keep nerve pathway widow’s weeds at bay .
If your plot ison the small side , say around 20 - 25 square foot , you may still get a robust output using the French Intensive Method , which incorporates threefold - digging .
Preparation requires more initial travail , but once planted , less watering , plant food , and weed is required .
Double - digging create deep , unaffixed , friable soil that allow ascendant to produce deeper than normal , to a astuteness of about three feet . This mean veggie can be planted more closely together , and this increase in plant denseness will pay results two to five times greater than a regular bed of the same sizing .
In a typical garden layer , roots will hit hardpan at about 12 column inch deep , which causes them to spread out sideways . This crabwise outgrowth results in competition for wet and nutrient , meaning plants need to be spaced further apart to ensure that they all receiveadequate nutrientsand body of water .
Here are the steps to double - dig a bottom :
1 . With a shovel , delve down and lift out a 12 - column inch layer of topsoil , piling it nearby . untie and clean house the topsoil and mix in a generous amount of compost or rot manure .
2 . With a crotch , dig down another 12 in and loose the grime . Once the soil is wanton , withdraw any roots , rocks , and detritus , then comprise a generous amount of compost or rot manure into this second layer .
3 . Replace the amend first layer of dirt . Your plot will now be raise about a foot above primer coat floor , and will feature the deep , easy , and fluffy soil that will allow radical to grow straight down .
With French intensive horticulture , it ’s very crucial to keep the soil light and flossy – so you might require to divide your bottom into halves or quartern to make it easier to constitute , weed , and prevent grunge compression .
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The French intensive method also use intercropping , which creates its own favorable microclimate and improves yields .
For example , a treillage of beans inter - implant with shekels will provide ghost from the hot afternoon sunshine – which lettuce needs . Or basil can be planted with tomato plant and peppers to better their smell , with the basil being harvested before the roots and top - growth of the larger plant take over .
For more brainchild , pick up a book for workable ideas and techniques – like Karen Newcomb’sThe Postage Stamp Vegetable Garden : produce scores of Organic Vegetables in Tiny Spaces and Containers .
Square foot gardeningis a less demanding pick that small-scale space edible gardener can practice to produce gamey yields and successful crop .
you may also make a permanent raised bed by purchasing a kit , or building your own . And you’re able to get all the how - to details inthis smashing clause .
Just commemorate , when building a wooden bod for raised beds , never utilize treat timber . The chemicals used to uphold the wood are highly toxic and will strip into your garden soil , where they ’ll be absorbed by the veg ’ root – goodbye , healthy garden truck …
Of naturally , if your distance is even more limited or you only want to grow small amounts of fresh veg , containers are a great optionfor a wide range of vegetable .
Carrots , chard , herbs , kale , peppers , Solanum tuberosum , radishes , scratch , scallions , spinach , andstrawberriesare all adept container - growers .
When choose containers , ensure they ’re an appropriate size for what you design to embed – you ’ll involve a much deeper pot for potatoes thanfor Petroselinum crispum !
And look for cultivars labeled “ bush , ” “ thickset , ” or “ gnome . ” As their name suggest , these varieties are smaller in size when matured , make thema wise pick for green goddess and planters – in particular for veggies that dig deeply , like carrots – ortomatoes , which can produce a top - clayey load of yield .
ground for containers call for to be enriched with organic fabric to check proper nutrition within the restricted confines of a planter . It should also be amended by mixing in a light material such as perlite orpeat to forestall compaction , supply aeration , and retain moisture .
Veggie mountain also necessitate good drain hole with flock of drainage material in the bottom – an inch or two inscrutable , depending on the container size .
You ’ll also have to inseminate more ofttimes when growing in containers , but at a dilute strength . Usecompost tea , Pisces the Fishes emulsion , or a water soluble fertiliser reduce with water at one - half or one - third specialty , applied every 10 to 14 day .
As the grease in containers will also dry out much more quickly than the terra firma does , assure that it stays moist , but not oversaturated .
A garden diary is a ready to hand planning tool .
It helps you to keep lead of conditions data , repeat sowings , flora gyration , what worked , and what did n’t .
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you may also note thought you ’d like to try for different seasons or next year , make sketches , project your garden , and collect inspirational bit .
foot up a simple ligature to begin with , then add a handsome journal to your wishing listing – family member will love this great talent idea !
need more options?Take a look at our favorite seven horticulture journals !
Reap the Rewards
You ca n’t say too many good things about a veggie garden .
Sure , they ’re a hatful of arduous work . But the joyfulness and satisfaction they bring is priceless . And when you ’re reap the yummy , nutrient reward of your drive , you ’ll forget all about the workplace part !
For the greatest use , keep your plot size manageable , plan first with a planting chart , and stay on top of maintenance job like watering , feeding , and weed . Get the kids postulate – they have it away the garden too !
And if you delight this guide , then you might find some of these of use :
Photos by Lorna Kring © Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Originally published April 7 , 2017 . Last updated May 14 , 2025 . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
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Lorna Kring
