Vegetable Gardening For Beginners

There are infinite possible reasons for starting your own garden. For many, it's their love of the Earth and nature. For some, it is a resource to save money so that college tuition planning comes with less stress. For me, it's a lifestyle change. Better produce mixed with a little exercise and vitamin D makes for a healthier life and possibly a newly found green thumb.

If you fall in any of these categories and are struggling with knowing where to begin, don’t worry, there are also an infinite number of resources to help you out. I, for starters have a green thumb and love to share my knowledge with others. Mostly because I am a hippie at heart and am in tune with nature. and love our environment. I have hopes to see a world where more people cherish it as I do. Also, eatinghealthier never hurt anyone.

 Photo courtesy of Martin Cathrae

Gardening is not hard. Really. All you need is the right tools, proper space, good soil and a little bit of basic knowledge. The rest will come with experience.
Essential tools are gardening gloves, sun hat (you don't want skin cancer), hose, shovel, rake, shears and a trowel. There are of course several other tools that will make your job easier, but these will do the trick.

Your space will change what you are able to grow, so it is an extremely important part in the planning. You will want a space that receives plenty of sunlight. You have a few options. You have 3 good choices: the recommended in ground garden, raised bed garden and a container garden. All of them will work, but provide different capabilities. The in ground or traditional garden works well due to fewer limitations.

The next thing you will want to think about is the types of vegetables you will grow. This should be tailored around your diet and the foods your family will eat. I plant a lot of tomatoes as they can be used for a number of different meals and make great pasta sauces. I also plant peppers as they are multi purposed as well. The last thing I plant is cucumbers. These are not used in as many dishes, but I absolutely love them, therefore they don't go to waste.

Once you have decided on the vegetables you will plant, it is time to get your soil ready. Good soil is imperative to growth. If you are unsure if your soil is of good quality, take a sample to your local nursery or garden center and have them test it. A general rule is that you want soil that is slightly acidic, however that is a general rule and it might be a good idea to talk to the professional while you are having it tested.

The only thing left to do now is to plant your vegetables. When to do so is dependent on what you are planting. Understanding when and how to plant vegetables is similar to trying to balance your checkbook. Due diligence is the key. Compare credit cards, manage your assets, and watch your money tree grow, nourishing your family and your future.

Vegetables like tomatoesand peppers require more sunlight where leafy vegetables such as potatoes will thrive in less sun. Leafy vegetables should be planted in early spring or late summer, whereas those that require more sunlight should be planted in late spring or early summer.

After you have planted it is time to watch them grow. Remember that if your vegetables are browning or drooping they are not receiving enough water from good old mother nature. You will need to water them yourself or you won't have vegetables.