There are lots of great reasons to grow your own food, but we’ll stick to our favorites: You know exactly where it comes from. By working the soil organically, you help the environment. And of course, vegetables taste infinitely better when you cultivate them yourself. (Maybe unabashed pride adds extra flavor?) It’s also fun, relaxing, and -- pun intended -- grounding. So, whether you have a big plot or just a few pots, read on, and get ready to roll up your sleeves.
1. Getting Started
Before deciding what you want to grow, map out a space, and consider how much time and effort you can put into your garden.
Find a location
Look for a spot that gets at least six to eight hours of sunlight a day. If planting in the ground, choose a well-drained area (no big puddles after a rain). To prevent critters from accessing a new all-you-can-eat salad bar, fence it in (wire fencing will do).
Know your soil
The foundation of any garden, it should contain plenty of nutrients and organic matter. Contact your local cooperative extension, and send in a sample for analysis. Prior to planting, enrich your plot with a layer of compost. If you’re using containers, get organic potting soil.
Dig In
There are three basic ways to grow edibles: in containers (pots), raised beds, or the ground. When deciding which to go with, weigh these options.
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Containers
PROS
They’re perfect for small spaces, even a city balcony. Just make sure they’re deep enough for roots to grow.
CONS
Frequent watering -- almost daily when it’s hot and sunny. Since space is limited, stick with herbs, dwarf varieties, and greens that don’t require a ton of room.
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In Ground
PROS
This method is most economical and requires less work in the beginning. You can water less frequently than with pots or raised beds.
CONS
You have to work with what Mother Nature has provided, which could include poor soil or lots of inconveniently placed tree roots or rocks.
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Raised Beds
PROS
You’re in control. You can customize soil and bed size and correct problems easily. Since boxes are contained, the soil heats up faster, so you can plant earlier. An important note: Use only untreated wood, to prevent chemicals from leaching into the soil.
CONS
Since you need to fill beds with soil, initial costs can be higher than growing in the ground. You may also have to water and feed more frequently because they drain so effectively (but usually less than with containers).
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Containers
PROS
They’re perfect for small spaces, even a city balcony. Just make sure they’re deep enough for roots to grow.
CONS
Frequent watering -- almost daily when it’s hot and sunny. Since space is limited, stick with herbs, dwarf varieties, and greens that don’t require a ton of room.
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Raised Beds
PROS
You’re in control. You can customize soil and bed size and correct problems easily. Since boxes are contained, the soil heats up faster, so you can plant earlier. An important note: Use only untreated wood, to prevent chemicals from leaching into the soil.
CONS
Since you need to fill beds with soil, initial costs can be higher than growing in the ground. You may also have to water and feed more frequently because they drain so effectively (but usually less than with containers).
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In Ground
PROS
This method is most economical and requires less work in the beginning. You can water less frequently than with pots or raised beds.
CONS
You have to work with what Mother Nature has provided, which could include poor soil or lots of inconveniently placed tree roots or rocks.
2. Pick What (and When) to Plant
Talk to fellow gardeners, visit your local nursery, and look through seed catalogs (see our go-tos below) to learn what grows well in your area. Then comes the fun part: Choosing vegetables! Select what you love to eat, and be open to branching out from the basics, like mixing in ‘Green Zebra’ tomatoes with your beefsteaks. Sketch out where you plan to plant what, and record everything you sow in a notebook.
Know your last frost date
It’s tempting to put everything in the ground on the first warm weekend in spring, but be careful: Some varieties tolerate the cold; others cannot. Before you start, ask your local nursery for the last frost date in your area, consult seed packets and plant tags for growing times, and plan your plantings from there.
Seeds vs. Seedlings
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Seeds
PROS
They’re inexpensive (dozens for only a few dollars), and you’ll find a wider selection of unusual varieties.
CONS
They require more effort, because you may have to plant some varieties, like tomatoes and peppers, indoors. Since you’re starting at the beginning, you’ll have to wait longer for the harvest.
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Seedlings
PROS
They give you a handy head start, which is especially helpful for new and busy gardeners.
CONS
You’re limited to the varieties that are available in this form; also, seedlings are often more expensive than seed packages.
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Seeds
PROS
They’re inexpensive (dozens for only a few dollars), and you’ll find a wider selection of unusual varieties.
CONS
They require more effort, because you may have to plant some varieties, like tomatoes and peppers, indoors. Since you’re starting at the beginning, you’ll have to wait longer for the harvest.
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Seedlings
PROS
They give you a handy head start, which is especially helpful for new and busy gardeners.
CONS
You’re limited to the varieties that are available in this form; also, seedlings are often more expensive than seed packages.
Happy Together
To maximize your space and streamline your tasks, put edibles that require similar amounts of water and sunlight in the same bed or container. See some classic groupings.
3. Tend and Harvest
Congratulations! The work of preparing and planting your garden is done. Now all you have to do is keep up with routine tasks, like watering and weeding, and check regularly for signs of disease (such as leaf spots and powdery mildew) and pests (like Japanese beetles and tomato hornworms). Before you know it, you’ll be tossing fresh lettuces and reveling in your newfound status: Green Goddess.
Basic Maintenance
Follow these four simple steps to keep your garden beautiful and bountiful.
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1
Feed
Add about an inch of compost at the start of the season. Then apply an organic fertilizer, like fish emulsion, or another thin layer of compost as the season progresses.
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2
Hydrate
Water deeply when needed, about an inch once a week. Opt for a soaker hose or drip irrigation system that delivers moisture directly to the roots, rather than sprinkling down from above.
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3
Weed
Do it often -- as in anytime you see weeds sprouting. This will save you time in the long run, because if you remove them while they’re young, they won’t spread. Also, remember that you’re going to eat what you sow -- so skip herbicides.
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4
Resow
Fast growers like radishes, lettuces, and other greens can benefit from multiple plantings. Stagger the timing, starting seeds directly in the ground every few weeks so you have continuous salad fixings.
Smart Solution
To help keep moisture in and prevent weeds from taking root, scatter a layer of mulch around seedlings (leaving a radius bare around the bases) and over paths after planting. Some common mulches include seedless straw, salt hay, leaf mold, and even nitrogen packed grass clippings. Avoid regular hay, which can contain weed seeds that will cause headaches (and backaches, from endless pulling) down the line.
For a Tasty Yield Timing is Everything
There’s something magical about eating a perfectly ripe tomato just off the vine while it’s still warm from the sun. (Martha likes to bring a little salt with her into the garden to do just that!) You’ll know when your vegetables are ready by looking at their size, shape, and vibrant color. Tomatoes will give with a gentle tug rather than needing a hard pull. Some plants, like okra, beans, and turnips, are extra-delicious and tender when picked young. Keep up with your harvest to encourage new growth: Cucumbers will slow their production if they aren’t plucked when ready, and when zucchini get too big, they aren’t as tender and tasty as when they’re smaller.
Plan Ahead
Rotate crops annually to help stave off disease and pests and keep your soil healthy. Be especially careful not to grow nightshades in the same area each year, because they can be disease-prone.
Our Essential Tools
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Hori Hori Knife
It digs and cuts, and is especially helpful for removing weeds with deep taproots (like dandelions).
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Cultivator
This is the go-to tool on Martha’s farm for digging out weeds quickly.
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Clippers
Invest in a pair of sharp, fine-pointed garden scissors for harvesting cut-and-come-again greens and herbs.
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Trug
Haul your vegetables from garden to kitchen in a lightweight container.
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Hori Hori Knife
It digs and cuts, and is especially helpful for removing weeds with deep taproots (like dandelions).
-
Clippers
Invest in a pair of sharp, fine-pointed garden scissors for harvesting cut-and-come-again greens and herbs.
-
Cultivator
This is the go-to tool on Martha’s farm for digging out weeds quickly.
-
Trug
Haul your vegetables from garden to kitchen in a lightweight container.
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