Garden design: How to design your first vegetable garden

Vegetable garden designs and plans

The first thing in planning a vegetable garden is to make a list of the vegetables you wish to grow. Learn about those plants and find out their needs so you can compare these to your growing area. If you want to grow plants that are not realistic for your area or your time and energy then you will not be successful in growing vegetables. Vegetables do need some time and care to grow. Growing vegetables does not have to be hard. Do things to make it easier for you as it will be more pleasurable for you if it is not a chore.

Garden design: How to design your first vegetable garden

A raised bed may the answer if you have any drainage problems in your yard. If so, then learn to build simple raised beds with paths in between for walking. Try not to make your raised bed any wider that three feet so you can have easy access from either side of the bed.

For maximum yields in little space interplant quick growing vegetables with slower growing vegetables. Make wide rows with leafy vegetables like lettuce or spinach. Broadcasting can be done in wide rows.

Locate your vegetable garden patch in a place that has easy access to water and gets plenty of sunshine. Most vegetables need at least six hours of sunshine. Some can tolerate dappled shade, especially if you live in a very hot climate. Your list should include vegetables that you will eat and enjoy. If you like to can vegetables or preserve them in some way then figure out how much you need to grow to get the yield you need for preserving.

Also, locate your patch near a compost bin to make it easier on your back. Layout will depend on your site. Evaluate your soil and prepare it well and this will save you lots of work. Install a drip irrigation system to save water. Water is life, so please conserve.

Learn about companion planting to help with any pest problem you may have. Build trellises to grow vine type plants on such as cucumbers or peas. Make or purchase tomato cages for tomato vines. Growing vertically will save lots of space in your garden. Mulch well and this will keep the weeds to a minimum and also save on water.

Kitchen gardens are handy for herbs and vegetables and can easily be picked for a meal. If you don’t do a lot of preserving then grow crops in succession . Be sure and read on the seed packet how much the yield is. You don’t have to plant the entire package of seeds. If you have seeds left over, be sure and keep them in a cool dry place. A mason jar in the refrigerator is a good place. They will keep until the next time you plant.

If your garden has lots of wind you may want to use some kind of plant protector such as row covers or cloches. Sometimes these are good to use when the plant is first coming up to protect it from the birds or from insects, until it gets hardy and larger. This plant protector acts like a mini greenhouse and will hold in moisture for the plant also.

Make your list of what you will use, locate the patch in the right location, and give your vegetables what they need. Set realistic goals and you will be a success. Have fun and eat well.