6 Things to Consider Before Planting Your First Garden

by Kyndra Ferguson


A vegetable garden can yield all kinds of benefits in better tasting, healthier food, but taking the first steps can be daunting. If you've always wanted to plant a garden but don't know where to start here are a few things to consider:

Where is the best spot in your yard for a vegetable or herb garden?

The answer to this question really depends on what you want to grow, but here are a few things to keep in mind.

Most vegetables and herbs prefer full sun to shade. Plants that like cool weather (lettuce, spinach etc.) will benefit from some shade during hot summer months.

Afternoon sun is hotter than morning sun and heat reflecting off of buildings or walls can burn plants. Make sure that planting beds are at least a foot from any structure to allow air to circulate and keep your produce from being cooked!

Soil should be light and easy to work and should not compact when dry or stay muddy for more than a couple of days after a rain.

Large trees can compete with your garden for water and nutrients. If you have to plant under trees consider using raised bedsthatwill allow you to feed your garden with less competition from its neighbors.

How big should the garden be?

A vegetable garden can be as small as a few plants or big enough to feed a family of seven year round. The important thing to remember is that the size of your garden will determine the amount of work involved in keeping it weed free and healthy. For beginning gardeners a 6'x6'& or 6'x8' garden is probably plenty of space. You'll be able to have a good variety of plants without being overwhelmed by the upkeep or by the produce.

What plants should you grow?

A small garden can easily contain the following plants. These are all fairly easy to grow and resistant to pests and drought.

Tomatoes: 1 cherry tomato, 2 Italian tomatoes and 2 beefsteak tomatoes

Squash: 2 zucchini and 3 summer squash plants will be plenty

Peppers: 4 Sweet peppers and 2 hot peppers

Lettuce: 20 Lettuce plants

Broccoli: 12 broccoli plants

Green beans: 6 plants on a trellis to save space

Cucumbers: 4 plants on a trellis

Around the edges of the garden you can plant:

Basil - 6 plants

Sage- 2 plants

Parsley- 2 plants

These should all bear well and compliment each other nicely in recipes.

Should you start plants from seed or buy seedlings?

Starting plants from seed can be difficult and time consuming. Except in the case of beans, which don't transplant well all of the plants for the beginner vegetable garden mentioned above can be purchased as seedlings.Just remember to water them well when transplanting and they should do fine in their new home.

Organic vs. Pesticide Gardening?

This is really a matter of personal choice. In many cases pesticides and chemical fertilizers are unnecessary if you have prepared the garden space properly.If you do find that particular pests or diseases are a problem look at your choices for treatment, and look at who will be exposed to them.As a general rule I don't use pesticides in a garden where children may accidentally eat something that has been sprayed or treated. Little ones may not alwaysremember to wash produce before eating it.

How much should you expect to water?

At the peak of the growing season watering should be done once or twice a week for 30-40 minutes in each section of the garden. The soil should be moist under the surface but should not stay muddy.Too much water can kill a plant as quickly as too little so take the time to look at your plants and get to know their individual watering needs.

Sprinklers are best avoided as they do not provide enough moisture to penetrate the ground and the effects of watering will quickly be lost.

One of my favorite watering methods is to bury the top half of a plastic milk jug next to each of the larger plants and put two or three of them among the lettuce and other greens. Simply cut the top 4 inches off of the jug; remove the cap and place cap down in a hole next to your plants.Fill the empty jug with gravel. Water by running a hose to each jug and filling to overflowing with water. The water will filter through the gravel to the roots of the plant, providing a very efficient drink.

Most of all enjoy your garden! You are starting this whole project to enjoy the outdoors. Don't stress too much if some of your plants don't do too well. Take some notes for next year and sit back with a glass of iced tea. Breathe the warm summer air and relax in the beauty of your own back yard.