- Before a single plant is put in the ground, the first thing to do to start a vegetable garden is to select the right area for the garden. Gardens can be every possible shape and size and are fully functional in all manners of layout and style. When deciding where to place your new vegetable garden, take the following into consideration: the hours of direct sunlight per day, temperatures for your region, water sources, if the ground is level and how far the garden is from your home. Not only should your garden be convenient to get to, but it should also suitable for planting.
- There are several ways to accomplish the initial digging up of the bed, ranging from the classic shovel to high-tech machinery. However you choose to begin your garden, start by stripping the top layer of grass (sod) off the surface and any other plants on this area. Continue on by digging up the soil and turning it. This can be done with a tiller or by hand. Turn the soil by digging out one row from the edge of the garden and setting this dirt into a wheelbarrow or on a tarp. The soil dug up from the second row now gets placed in the trench from the first. Continue digging rows until you are filling the final row with the soil in the wheelbarrow.
- Depending on your soil consistency, you may need to add some soil amendments to create the optimum formula for healthy plants with high production. Your soil should be able to hold sufficient water without keeping it from draining or letting it run away from the roots altogether. Place some of the soil in your palm and squeeze it together. If the soil falls apart like sand or stays in one giant clump, consult with your local garden center to determine what you need to add to your garden.
- Know what vegetables you and your family like to eat and begin by growing them. There's no point in growing food no one will eat. However, read up on the difficulty of your favorites before you attempt them. Some foods are harder to grow or involve more maintenance than others, and your garden, especially your first vegetable garden, is meant to be enjoyable as well as functional. After your first gardening year, try growing something new every year to challenge yourself.
- Make a list of the plants you would like to grow and do some research about each one. Learn when to plant and where to plant them, as well as how much water or attention they need. Also keep in mind when plants need to be planted in your area. A garden is a constant living and growing thing, and not everything can be planted or harvested on the same day. Follow the guidelines for spacing, planting time and care to get the best results from your vegetable garden.
