Tips for First-Time Vegetable Growers

Thinking about how to start a garden can be overwhelming. There are several factors to consider, including how much space you’ll need, what the climate in your region is and, most importantly, what you’d like to get out of this experience. When planning your first vegetable garden, ask yourself these questions:

•    What do I like to eat?
•    How cold does it get where I live?
•    How soon do I want a harvest?

1. Start with a manageable size. It’s better to have a plot a little too small than one too big. Your garden should be a pleasure, not a burden. Try a 3-foot-by-5-foot or a 4-foot-by-6-foot bed. Or just start with a few vegetables in pots. Lettuce, tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers all thrive in containers.

2. Find a sunny spot. Most vegetables need six to eight hours of sunlight a day to flourish and produce abundant crops.

3. Good soil is essential. Test soil with a test kit or by sending a sample to your local cooperative extension. Once you’ve determined your soil type and what nutrients you’ll need, add compost or peat moss to the topsoil. Adding composted material will help soil hold moisture and oxygen.

4. Choose your vegetables. Knowing the best seasons for your crops and planning out the entire year help keep your garden focused and continue your harvests year-round. 

5. Plants or seeds? After you figure out what to grow, the next question is whether to purchase plants or grow from seed. There’s certainly an art to growing crops from seed, but the cost savings and enjoyment are worthwhile, too. For your first vegetable garden, try using plants for:

• Eggplants
• Peppers
• Broccoli
• Brussel sprouts
• Cauliflower

As they’re easy to grow from seed sown directly in the garden, try planting seeds for:

• Lettuce
• Radishes
• Beans
• Beets
• Cucumbers
• Okra
• Peas
• Squash

Check the planting dates on the seed packets and compare them with the suggestions from your local extension office.

6. Plan for full growth. Yes, those little seeds need some room to grow. Read plant tags and seed packets carefully so you can give plants ample space to spread out. Having good airflow throughout your vegetable garden helps reduce pests and diseases that like tight, damp places. Before you plant any seeds, set up the support system for climbing beans, peas and any vegetables that need stakes or support.

7. Know when to plant. Timing is one of the easiest things you can control — and also one of the most crucial for success. Remember that cool-season winter crops do well growing in cooler temperatures with lower humidity, including:

• Leafy greens (e.g., lettuce, collards, Swiss chard, etc.)
• Peas
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Fennel
• Onions
• Radishes

The most difficult season for most regions is the heart of summer, May through September, when high heat and humidity, in most climates, can lead many plants to suffer and succumb to pests and disease. A few thrive in these conditions, so plan to have your summer garden include:

• Sweet potatoes
• Okra
• Peas
• Peppers
• Eggplant
• Beans
• Tomatoes
• Summer Squash

8. Include flowers and herbs. Butterflies, bees and other pollinators love them, plus fresh herbs are a great addition when cooking your garden vegetables.

9. Add compost or mulch. After planting your vegetables, add a 2- to 4-inch layer of organic mulch or compost around each plant. Mulch helps conserve water because it keeps the soil moist and prevents weeds from sprouting. You can also use straw, leaves, untreated grass clippings, weed mat or even wooden boards for weed control.

10. Harvest vegetables in their prime. Keep an eye on your garden and clip and pick when vegetables are at their peak. The fruits of some plants, including cucumbers and beans, stop producing and go to seed if left on the plants too long. However, if you keep picking them, they’ll continue producing as long as the weather permits.