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There’s really nothing like being able to walk a few steps out of your home, pick a vegetable, and then incorporate it into your meal. If you’re someone who eats a lot of vegetables–or is hoping to eat a lot of vegetables in 2021–consider growing your own garden.
Not only will you save money (and trips to the store), but you’ll have the freshest produce possible. Plus, having a garden can be fun! With just a little bit of work, you’ll have enough yummy vegetables to enjoy with every meal.
So, if you’re looking to start a vegetable garden but need a little guidance, I’m here to help. Here’s what you need to know when starting your own vegetable oasis:
Rather than trying to grow every vegetable in the book, it’s a good idea to start small. Not only will you have less to tend to, but it’s also a smart idea if you’re short on space. Select four or five of your favorite vegetables to start with. Make sure they’re veggies you know you’ll eat (and not just veggies you aspire to eat), so they don’t go to waste!
Location is everything when it comes to planting a garden. You should select an area that gets enough sun throughout the day but is also close enough to a water source. Also, if you have kids or animals, it should be in an area that won’t get ruined by outdoor activities.
Every vegetable requires different growing conditions, so it’s important to pay attention to each vegetable’s needs. Most vegetables have planting details on the back of the seeds, so read through it before planting.
Once you know the growing conditions for each vegetable, it’s time to plant. Make sure you have adequate soil (don’t just stick seeds into the ground), and space out each vegetable to give it enough space to grow.
If you’re short on space, consider growing your vegetables up, rather than out. Vegetables that grow on vines, such as cucumbers and squash, can grow upwards on a simple trellis or fence. All you have to do is gently wrap the vine around the fence once it starts to grow. Then, once it’s on the fence, it will grow upwards on its own!
Make sure to pick your vegetables when they’re tender. They may not seem ready, but if you wait too long they’ll go bad. Also, consider purchasing or building a fence for your vegetables so animals don’t eat them. There’s nothing worse than going out to pick your vegetables only to realize an animal got to them first.
