Here’s a step-by-step guide for first-time gardeners.
Most vegetables require six to eight hours of sunlight to produce fruit.
If you have poor soil, limited space, or need easier access, consider raised beds.
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The bed frames can be purchased or constructed from wood, metal, or plastic.
The bed sits on the ground and you fill it with nutrient-rich gardening soil.
The beds are easy to weed and maintain.
Basic tools include:
To start your garden, you’ll need seeds or seedlings.
Consider joining a local gardening group, as gardeners love to share seeds and pass along plants.
Add arain barrelto the downspout of your gutter system for free irrigation water.
Cardboard and newspapers can be used between rows to smother weeds.
Begin by staking out the garden size you want and remove any grass, roots, or debris.
If you plan to clear a large area, consider renting a sod cutter from a garden center.
Your local cooperative extension service also offers soil-testing services.
Building Raised Beds
Raised garden beds can be any shape or configuration that works for your space.
A maximum width of 4 feet per bed is a good choice for adult gardeners.
The next step is to fill the bed with a nutrient-rich soil mix that contains plenty of organic matter.
The structure can be a decorative trellis, obelisk, or simple metal or wooden pole.
Companion plantingmeans growing compatible crops next to each other.
Incompatible vegetable groupings can stunt growth, invite pests and diseases, and negatively impact flavor.
However, if you’ve waited a bit late toplant seeds, seedlings may be best.
Seedlings purchased from a garden center should be ready to put in the garden immediately.
To help prevent problems in the garden, select disease- and pest-resistant seeds or plants by reading labels carefully.
Choose tomato plants or seeds labeled as a variety resistant to verticillium wilt, fusarium wilt, and nematodes.
When choosing transplants, look for those that are healthy and insect-free.
Alwaysrotate cropsevery season to help reduce pest and disease problems.
Water the roots, not the leaves, to help prevent disease.
Fertilization depends on the quality of your soil.
Avoid the urge tooverfertilize; you’ll get lots of leaves but fewer vegetables.
Your state cooperative extension service offers excellent guidance on vegetable growing in your climate.
Mulch under plants and between rows to maintain moisture and manage weeds.
Check plants frequently for pest damage.
Nighttime checks are essential if you see slug and snail damage.
When a problem is discovered, use the least toxic pest management strategy available.
Visit the vegetable garden every day or two to stay on top of challenges.
To get the most out of your garden, learn about plantingcool-season cropsin the late fall or early spring.
In most southern states, you’ve got the option to enjoy gardening nearly year-round.
