How to Plant a Vegetable Garden

The job of creating a vegetable garden needs some planning and research. The two important questions to ask is 'what to plant' and 'when to plant'. By figuring out the right plants and the right time to plant them, you have completed an important step in starting a vegetable garden procedure. It is important you consider plants which are compatible with each other, which means don't inhibit each other's growth. Also, figure out what is the right time to plant these crops. Make groups of plant according to the season they should be planted and grow them accordingly. Here are useful tips and tricks, that will help you plant different vegetables and enjoy home grown fresh vegetables for cooking and eating.

How to Grow a Vegetable Garden?

Selecting the Site
The best way to plant a vegetable garden is to select site, which is the sunniest and brightest in the yard. If you can't find such a spot then find the next sunniest spot, however, avoid any areas which are too shady as only leaf crops can grow in limited sunlight. If you don't have enough space in your yard, then make groups of plants which can be grown on a patio or deck using container gardening. Many hanging plants which can grow on limited sunlight are a great choice.

Choosing the Right Plants to Grow
As this is your first time growing a vegetables garden, pick lesser than average number of seeds of the vegetables, so that you don't run out of space. Select the varieties that grow and mature and yield to the region, and pick seeds of vegetables that you and your family would like to eat. If you are in doubt then seek advice of local master gardener or a certified plant nursery person.

Timing the Plantation
It is important that you pick the vegetables according to the season for gardening. Vegetables which come earliest in spring season are rhubarb, lettuce, asparagus and radishes. Vegetables that you can store in your basement, and grow in winters are potatoes, carrots, squash, parsnips, etc. For summer sweet corn, beans, peas, beets, cauliflower, tomatoes are appropriate. So do a little research on the vegetables which can be grown in the respective season, and pick the vegetables which you and your family would like to eat.

Preparing the Soil
Once you have made the selection of vegetable seeds, prepare the soil. Add generous amounts of organic humus to the existing soil. Peat moss, compost and well rotted manure or processed manure are good forms of organic humus, which can be added to the existing soil. Then mix the humus thoroughly in the soil, and you are ready to begin the planting.

Planning the Layout
The planning should be done considering two important factors. First is to plant the crops which don't inhibit each other's growth, and the second important factor is to allow appropriate space between each group of vegetables and keep appropriate space between each individual plant. Plant the medium-sized crops like cauliflower, broccoli, tomatoes, squash, pumpkins, cabbage, etc., in the middle of the vegetable garden. Then at the very southern end you should plant the low growing crops like carrots, beets, lettuce, onions, radishes, etc. Form trays for groups of vegetables, and plant the groups in these trays. To understand the individual distance between the plants, refer to the seeds packages. The seed packages will tell you the exact distance that needs to be maintained between seeds while planting.

These were the steps that will help you start a vegetable garden. So, use the above guidelines and make the right selection of vegetable to start your very own vegetable garden!