Planting a Vegetable Garden for Beginners

Growing your own vegetables is rewarding.

Whether you are looking to improve your diet, decrease your grocery budget or start a new hobby, planting a vegetable garden is a rewarding endeavor. Successful gardeners amend poor soil, provide a sunny location, and grow vegetables suited to their climate.

Benefits

Gardening gets the entire family involved.

Gardening is a healthy activity, requiring moderate to intense physical exercise . The fresh air and slower pace of the work can be very therapeutic. Moreover, you can grow your favorite vegetables, pesticide-free, that may be otherwise unavailable or too expensive at your grocery store.

Considerations

If your soil lacks nutrients, amend it with compost or fertilizer.

The soil must be rich in nutrients, and amended if necessary. Test the soil with a pH kit, to determine if the soil is acidic or alkaline. Vegetables prefer full sun, so the bed must be located in an area of the yard that receives six to eight hours of sunlight per day. Place your garden near a water source, such as a well or garden hose.

Planning

Choose vegetables that will grow in your climate.

Some vegetables grow better than others in various climates throughout the country. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has created a hardiness zone map to help gardeners determine which vegetables can grow in their geographic region and at what time. Read seed packages to choose the vegetables suited for your region and when they can be planted.

References

• New York State Department of Health: Healthy Gardening: Tips for New and Experienced Gardeners
• Purdue University Extension: Gardening Tips for Beginners
• North Carolina State University: Vegetable Gardening
• U.S. National Arboretum: Plant Hardiness Zone Map
• Department of Health and Human Services: Be Active Your Way