Starting a vegetable garden can be one of the most rewarding past times you will ever have. Gardens can provide you and your family with fresh, organic and healthy vegetables every day of the year. With the right planning, starting a vegetable garden will require less work than may think.

Starting a vegetable garden at home does not require a lot of space to provide wholesome food you can harvest daily. First you must decide where to plant your vegetables, a plot. Look for an area that will provide plenty of morning sun and away from other plants or trees that can create problems such as taking vital nutrients away from your vegetables.

Starting a Vegetable Garden – Checklist

- Soil Testing (pH test)
- Garden Lime
- Organic Fertilizers (Manure/Blood & Bones or Compost)
- Seeds/Seedlings
- Seed Raising Mix

Testing & Preparing Your Soil
You must prepare your soil by digging and turning it over. Look to remove any waste material and weeds by hand, stay away from chemicals such as weed killers and other pest killers as they effect the quality of your soil. Take 4 soil samples (4 spots from your plot) to you local gardening outlet for pH testing. Your local gardening expert will advise whether you will need to purchase supplies such as garden lime to get your soil to the ideal pH level of 6.5, wait at least one month before you begin planting your vegetables.

Planting Tips
You can purchase seeds or seedlings for a great price. You should plant your vegetables north/south to allow for the maximum sun exposure whilst limiting the amount of shade. Make sure you do not plant taller vegetables in a position where they will block other vegetables from receiving sufficient sunlight.

Allow 50cm or 1.5 feet between planted/sown rows. The packet on your seeds should provide you information on the space you should provide, deep to sow and when to sow based on your climate zone. Seed raising mix will help your seeds alone nicely and should definitely be used.

Maintenance & Health
The health of your vegetable garden is all about planning. Ensure you use organic fertilisers such as animal manure or compost to provide plenty of nutrients for your vegetable garden. Vegetables love water and soil moisture so make sure you provide enough water but do not water log your garden in the process.

Starting a vegetable garden is about having the right set up and proper planning, by starting a vegetable garden at home you will be able to provide fresh food for you and your family for years to come. Imagine the feelings of growing fresh food at home, it’s one of great pleasures in life.

By Peter T. Gregory

The home garden has long been regarded as a place of beauty and relaxation whatever size or shape it is. The colors, the scents, and the direct connection with Mother Nature are universally appealing. But, for many homeowners, planting and maintaining even the smallest garden can be an overwhelming chore. Finding the right plants, soil, moisture, light, shade, and temperature can turn into a complicated balancing game for a new green thumb. Before you become overwhelmed, here are some gardening guidelines that can get you on the path to your dream home plans garden success.

Space – The first thing to look at when planning a garden is the amount of space you have to work with in your yard. Where is the best location? There are numerous types of pots, raised beds, garden plots, and window boxes that can be used to house gardens of many kinds. There is no best way or place- it simply boils down to what is most available to you.

Nutrition – The soil the plants live in is directly responsible for their nourishment. Soils from different areas have different compositions and can restrict what may grow. It can be beneficial to have soil tests performed on your garden plot. Some plots may need supplements mixed in with the soil to create a habitable plot. Raised garden beds and pots can use potting mixtures to cater to specific plants.

Light & Temperature – Though you may want to adorn your garden with a favorite flower, your climate may not be as accommodating. Gardens in northern zones have very different requirements and planting possibilities than southern home plans gardens. Every plant has minimum and maximum temperature and light tolerance. Most plants you buy include this information in the packaging, so be sure to take note of what is needed for proper growth.

Water – Like light and temperature, every plant has different needs when it comes to watering. This is usually the gardening chore that wears on even the hardiest gardener: many plants require watering daily or more often and can be time-consuming.

Now that you know what to consider when it comes to choosing plants, it is time for a reality check. If it’s your first garden, start small. Though 20 to 30 square feet for a home plans cottage garden may not seem like much, it can be disastrous to take on more than can be maintained. The first year requires more work preparing the soil and is the time for becoming familiar with what works and what is liked. It is also a good idea to plan your garden on paper and look it over with friends or neighbors who have gardening experience. Experienced gardeners enjoy sharing advice and resources and can be invaluable to beginners. With the right information, your garden will certainly blossom before your eyes.

By Alice Lane