First Step In Planning A Garden Is Selecting A Location
Selecting a location for your vegetable garden will depend on where you live. In many parts of the country, you will want to locate your garden where it get sun most of the day. If you live in hotter regions, you may need to find a location that has some shelter during the hotter part of the day.
The majority of vegetables require at least six to eight hours of sun a day to produce well, and full sun is best, especially in cooler northern climates. Plants grown for their fruits, such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant, need the most sun and the leafy vegetables like spinach and chard can tolerate some light shade during part of the day.
Wind is another factor that needs consideration. If you live in an area that receives a lot of wind, again, locating where your vegetable garden has a measure of shelter is a good idea.
A well tended vegetable garden can be very attractive, and rather than hide your garden, you may want to make it a feature of your backyard extended living area.
Second Step In Planning A Vegetable Garden Is Soil Preparation
Soil preparation is the key to a successful vegetable garden. Determining the needs of your soil, and making adjustments in it\’s makeup and nutrients is the place to start. Your vegetable garden needs good nutrient rich loamy soil that is free of debris.
Having your garden soil tested can help you determine just what your soil needs in order to produce healthy and productive vegetable plants. Once you have determined the needs of your soil you can start adding amendments and making adjustments.
The Third Step In Planning A Vegetable Garden Is Deciding What To Plant
What you plant will be a matter of personal taste and also what grows well in your area. The location of certain vegetables in relation to one another is also an important factor. Not all vegetables make good close neighbors and knowing these factors will improve the overall success you have with your garden and the vegetables you plant.
Keeping a simple garden diary from year to year is a good idea. You can include a plain sketch showing the location of where different vegetables are planted which will be useful in successive planting years. Also you can keep notes on what works well, and what doesn\’t, what you\’d like to try next season, and you may want to add a couple of pictures that display the parts of your vegetable garden you are most proud of.