Choose vegetables that can be harvested at different times. This way, you’ll have produce all summer instead of all at once. Some plants don’t grow well in certain regions. Find out if the vegetables you want to grow require a cold snap to get started, or if they’ll wither and die when the temperature gets too hot. You might have to be selective about what you grow if you live in a climate with very short summers or an area that doesn’t get much water. Choose plants with similar growing and soil conditions to make it easier to care for your vegetable garden.

You determine if an area has good drainage by checking it after a heavy rain. If a puddle forms, that area is probably not suitable for a vegetable garden. If the water seeps into the soil quickly, it should be fine. Choose a flat area without roots and rocks. This will be much easier to till the soil to prepare the garden for planting. If your soil doesn’t have good drainage, you can create a raised bed which allows plants to grow above ground level. Some vegetables grow well in large pots, too. If you don’t have a yard, peppers, okra, tomatoes and potatoes can all be grown in pots on a patio or fire escape.

You need to know how much space to leave between the seeds or seedlings you plant, as well as how much space the mature plants will take up. Squash, zucchini and pumpkins take up a lot of space and produce a lot of fruit, while potatoes, carrots and lettuces stay relatively contained. [2] X Research source Planting vegetables in rows helps you keep track of which plants are which. Factor in extra space between the rows to allow you to walk into the garden to weed, fertilize, and water it, as well as to harvest ripe vegetables.

Seeds or seedlings. Nurseries have good selections of seeds and seedlings and staff who can help you decide which varieties to buy. Fertilizer. A good natural fertilizer will boost your vegetable plants. Work bone meal, blood meal or fertilizer into the soil. Compost works well. Mulch and topsoil. Vegetable plants need to be protected from wind and heavy rain when first planted. Use mulch or simply a fine layer of topsoil. You could cover the soil with loose hay to protect sprouting plants. Pest deterrents. It’s a good idea to also purchase products that combat disease and pests.

A shovel, a spade, and a garden rake. Use these essential gardening tools to dig holes and to move plants and soil. A ruler or measuring tape. Vegetable plants need to be planted at different depths, so it’s useful to measure the holes you make with a ruler. A hose with an adjustable watering feature. The ability to change the water pressure comes in handy. Fencing supplies. Rabbits, squirrels, deer and other animals like to nibble on vegetables, so you may want to construct a fence around your garden.

If you have weeds you know will take over your garden, you can place pieces of cardboard on top of them with a layer of compost on top. This will smother the weeds and leave a fresh slate for your garden. [5] X Expert Source Ben BarkanGarden & Landscape Designer Expert Interview. 2 June 2020. Work fertilizer into the soil with a garden rake. Be sure to distribute it evenly. Be sure to take the time to remove large rocks buried in the dirt. They’ll get in the way of your plants’ roots, and it’s worth taking the time to clear the area. If you’re concerned about the quality of the dirt in your yard, buy a soil testing kit to find out how many nutrients and organic matter it contains, as well as its pH level. All of these factors affect the nutrition and growth rate of your vegetables. After you’ve tested the soil, you can add whatever it might be missing.

Check the soil often. If it seems to be dry, mist it again. Avoid watering the garden at night. If water sits all night without getting absorbed or evaporating, it could cause fungus to grow. [7] X Research source