Things You'll Need:
- Measuring Tapes
- Plants
- Seeds
- Pencils
- Graph Papers
- Pencils
- Pencils
- Seeds
- Plants
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Step 1
List the plants you want to grow, and learn about them. Investigate their needs and compare these to your growing conditions, then set realistic goals.
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Step 2
Pick a sunny site with ready access to water for your specialty vegetable garden. Be sure the soil can be amended to drain well, or plan to build a raised bed.
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Step 3
Measure the space available and draw it on graph paper. Lots of room? Make it 6 feet square with a 1-foot path down the middle to create two planting beds each 6 feet long and 2 1/2 feet wide.
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Step 4
Draw those two beds and their path to sketch a total growing space 12 feet by 2 1/2 feet - room for five staples of Caribbean cuisine and your uncle's heirloom beans plus a few artichokes. Design for just one favorite or make your own combinations.
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Step 5
Estimate the number of plants you can fit in based on their mature size. Then design for the longest harvest possible - draw in early varieties interplanted with later ones.
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Step 6
Design trellises into the garden to maximize space for snow peas. Add permanent hoops to support floating row covers, shade cloth or plastic-film season extenders.
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Step 7
Modify a popular design: Chinese specialty vegetables plus perennial favorites horseradish and asparagus. Double dig the northeast corner of the garden for the longer-lived perennials.
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Step 8
Cultivate delicate local favorites that are grown for unparalleled flavor but are impossible to ship.
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Step 9
Design a space in your garden to leave room for the unexpected package of pass-along peas.
