Deciding What to Grow
When starting a home garden, the first step is deciding what you want to grow. There are a few key factors to consider:
Space Available
Take measurements of the area you plan to use for gardening. Consider how much sunlight the area gets - at least 6 hours of direct sun is best for most edible plants. Make sure to leave enough space between plants and rows for them to mature. Leafy greens and herbs can grow in closer proximity than larger plants like tomatoes.
Sunlight
Most vegetable and herb plants need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Take note of any shady spots that may impact your garden space. Consider positioning taller plants on the north side so they don't block light for shorter plants. You may need to prune overhanging trees or shrubs to maximize sunlight.
Soil Type
Get your soil tested to determine the pH level and nutrient content. Most edible plants grow best in slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0-6.8. Sandy or clay soil can be amended with compost to improve drainage and nutrient retention. Container gardens allow you to control the potting mix quality.
Beginner Friendly Plants
For first-time gardeners, it's best to start with easy-to-grow plants like lettuces, spinach, radishes, beans, peas, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, herbs, and flowers like marigolds. Avoid fussier plants like cauliflower, celery, and eggplant. Quick-growing plants will yield results faster and build confidence.
Desired Harvest
Consider the types of vegetables, herbs and flowers you'd like for your garden. Make a list of top choices and research optimal growing conditions to ensure success. Companion planting certain crops together can maximize garden space and yield.
Preparing the Garden Bed
Preparing the soil is one of the most important steps when starting a new vegetable garden. You'll want to remove any grass, weeds or rocks from the area you intend to use. Eliminating the competition from weeds and grass will allow your vegetable plants to thrive. Use a shovel or hoe to remove sod and break up the existing soil.
Next, you'll want to mix in compost or other organic material to loosen and enrich the soil. Compost adds vital nutrients for plants and helps retain moisture in the soil. Mix in 2-4 inches of compost or organic material and turn the soil over with a shovel or rototiller.
For ease of planting, you may want to create raised garden beds. These contain the soil and allow you to plant without having to bend over as far. You can use lumber, bricks, rocks or other materials to create the frame. Fill the frame with good quality gardening soil or a soil mix amended with compost.
Properly preparing the growing area by removing weeds, adding organic material and creating raised beds will set your garden up for success right from the start.
Planting Seeds & Seedlings
When planting seeds directly in the garden, be sure to follow the spacing and depth instructions printed on the seed packets. This will give each seed the best chance to sprout and grow. Dig a hole for the seed to the recommended depth, usually 1-2 times the width of the seed. Carefully place the seed in the hole and gently cover it back up with soil, being careful not to pack the soil down too firmly.
For transplanted seedlings, dig a hole in your garden bed that is a bit larger than the pot or cell the seedling is growing in. Gently remove the seedling, handling it by its leaves rather than the stem. Place it in the hole, ideally at the same depth it was growing at in its pot. Fill in the hole with loose soil and gently firm the soil around the base of the plant with your hands. Be careful not to damage the stem or crush the leaves. Water the newly planted seedlings well to help reduce transplant shock. Provide shade for tender seedlings on hot or windy days until they establish roots and acclimate.
Caring for Plants
Proper care is essential for a thriving vegetable garden. Here are some key tips for caring for your plants throughout the growing season:
Water 1-2 inches per week
Vegetable gardens need about 1-2 inches of water per week, whether from rainfall or manual watering. Use a rain gauge to track rainfall and supplement with watering as needed. Water at the base of plants, avoiding leaves, and water in the morning to reduce disease.
Weed weekly
Weeds compete with vegetables for water, nutrients and sunlight. Walk through the garden weekly and pull weeds, including the roots. Adding mulch can help suppress weeds. Be diligent about weeding to prevent them from going to seed and spreading.
Fertilize according to instructions
Different vegetables have different fertilizer needs. Follow package instructions for correct fertilizer ratios and application rates. Organic fertilizers like compost, fish emulsion, bone meal or blood meal can provide slow-release nutrition. Avoid over-fertilizing which can damage plants.
Monitor for pests and diseases
Check plants frequently for signs of pests like insects, slugs or rodents. Also watch for diseases like blights, mildews and wilts. Taking action early can help minimize damage. Identify the problem and use organic solutions like neem oil, insecticidal soap or row covers. Remove diseased plant material promptly.
Consistent care including watering, weeding, fertilizing and pest monitoring will help your vegetable garden thrive all season long. Paying attention to plants' needs is the key to a bountiful harvest.
Harvesting Produce
Knowing when your vegetables and fruits are ripe and ready for picking is one of the most exciting parts of growing your own produce. With some crops, it's easy to tell when they're ready for harvest by simply looking at them. For example, tomatoes are ripe when they turn red and feel slightly soft. Peppers can be harvested when they reach their mature color and feel firm. On the other hand, root crops like carrots and potatoes send up fewer cues. You'll need to refer to the seed packet or plant tag to find out the days to maturity so you know when they're ready.
It's important to use the proper harvesting technique for each type of plant to avoid damaging the plant or fruit. Tomatoes, peppers and eggplants should be gently twisted and pulled from the vine. Leafy greens can be cut with pruners or scissors about an inch above the crown. Root crops should be dug up gently with a garden fork, rather than pulled. Vine crops like squash and melons should be cut from the vine, leaving a few inches of stem attached.
After picking your veggies, store them promptly and properly to maintain freshness. Leafy greens and herbs should be rinsed and patted dry, then stored in plastic bags in the refrigerator. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and vine crops can be kept at room temperature out of direct sunlight. Root crops should have excess soil brushed off (don't wash them) and can be stored in plastic bags in the fridge. With proper harvesting and storage methods, you'll be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor to their fullest!
Dealing with Pests
One of the biggest challenges of home gardening is dealing with pests that can damage your plants. Some of the most common garden pests include aphids, spider mites, Japanese beetles, slugs, and snails. Identifying pests early and taking action is key to preventing major infestations.
There are several organic methods you can use to control pests without relying on harsh chemical pesticides. Here are some tips:
- Use row covers or netting to physically block flying insects and prevent them from laying eggs on plants. Be sure to check under row covers periodically for any pests that may have gotten in.
- Attract beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps, which prey on garden pests. You can buy them from garden stores or attract them with flowering plants.
- Remove pests by hand and drop them into a bucket of soapy water. Be diligent about checking the undersides of leaves for eggs.
- Use organic insecticidal soaps, neem oil, or diatomaceous earth. These natural products can kill many soft-bodied insects and mites.
- Try companion planting to deter pests. For example, planting onions and carrots together can repel carrot flies.
- Use traps like yellow sticky cards to catch flying pests. Or sink shallow dishes of beer into the soil to trap slugs and snails.
- Promote healthy soil with compost so plants are more resistant to pests. Healthy plants can often outgrow minor damage.
Preventing infestations is ideal. Make sure to rotate crops each season, as many pests accumulate in the soil and attack the same plants. Crop rotation deprives pests of their preferred food source.
With some diligence and organic pest remedies, you can keep your home garden relatively pest-free and protect your vegetables and flowers. Acting early at the first signs of damage is key to effective organic pest control.
Troubleshooting Issues
Growing your own food at home can be very rewarding, but it also comes with challenges. Even experienced gardeners run into problems sometimes. Here are some tips for troubleshooting common issues in your DIY home garden:
Diagnose Nutrient Deficiencies
If your plants have yellowing leaves, stunted growth, or other signs of poor health, they may be lacking key nutrients. Some common deficiencies are nitrogen (yellow lower leaves), phosphorus (purplish leaves and stems), and iron (yellow younger leaves). Identify the specific nutrient by the deficiency symptoms and treat accordingly by amending the soil or applying a foliar spray.
Treat Diseases Organically
Fungal diseases like powdery mildew and blights can spread quickly. Remove affected plant parts immediately and improve air circulation. Spray plants weekly with neem oil or a baking soda solution to prevent the spread of fungi. For bacterial diseases like leaf spot, copper spray is an effective organic treatment.
Remedy Compacted Soil and Inadequate Drainage
If puddles form when watering or roots appear stunted, your soil may be too compacted. Loosen the soil with a garden fork and mix in compost or other organic matter. For poor drainage, create raised beds or plant in containers with drainage holes. Adding organic material or gravel can also improve drainage over time.
Paying close attention and quickly resolving issues will keep your DIY garden thriving all season long. With some patience and troubleshooting, you can overcome common obstacles.
Fall & Winter Care
As summer turns to fall, it's important to prepare your home garden for the colder months ahead. Proper fall and winter care will ensure your plants survive and your garden remains healthy for the next growing season.
Prepare Beds for Winter
- Remove any remaining crops that have stopped producing. Pull out annual plants entirely.
- Cut back perennials to just a few inches above soil level after they have died back for the winter. This prevents damage from freezing and thawing cycles.
- Spread compost or other organic matter over beds. This improves soil structure and provides nutrients for spring growth.
- Consider taking a soil test. This will reveal any nutrient deficiencies to amend in advance of next year's planting.
Mulch Plants
- Apply 2-4 inches of shredded leaves, straw, or other organic mulch around perennials and on any bare soil areas. This insulates plant roots and prevents weeds.
- Wait until after several hard frosts before mulching. You want plants to harden off for winter dormancy first.
- Check that mulch isn't touching plant crowns or stems. Leave a small gap to prevent rot.
Clean Up Plant Debris
- Clear away fallen leaves, plant stems and stalks, and any dropped fruit and vegetables. This removes hiding spots for pests and disease.
- Pull out annual plants entirely and put in the compost bin. Discard any diseased plants.
- Rake beds thoroughly to create a clean start for spring.
Store Tools Properly
- Clean all tools before storing for winter. Remove dirt and debris to prevent rusting.
- Oil metal surfaces of tools to prevent corrosion. Wipe wooden handles clean and sand if needed.
- Store hand tools, hoses, and other accessories in a garden shed or garage out of the elements.
- Drain and store ceramic and plastic pots somewhere they won't crack over winter. Stack neatly to save space.
Following these fall garden care tips will ensure your home garden remains healthy and productive for years to come! Let your beds rest and recover over winter. Then you'll be ready to start planting again next spring.
Planning Crop Rotation
Crop rotation is a key technique for maintaining a healthy, productive home garden year after year. The basic concept is to rotate different plant families through a garden bed on an annual basis. There are several major benefits to doing this:
Prevent Pest and Disease Buildup
Many common garden pests and diseases thrive when the same type of plants are grown in the same spot season after season. Rotating crops means that any soil-borne pests or diseases won't have the right host plants to feed on or infect the following year. This interrupts their life cycle and prevents their populations from getting out of control.
Improve Soil Nutrition
Different plant families take up and deplete different nutrients in the soil. By rotating plant families, you allow the soil to naturally replenish its nutritional profile. This avoids depleting any particular nutrient in the long run. It also avoids situations where a plant is unable to thrive due to a lack of a certain nutrient.
Boost Yields
Proper crop rotation leads to healthier plants, fewer pests, and improved soil nutrition. All of this translates into higher yields for your garden crops over time.
When planning your rotation, aim to move all your plant families to a new part of the garden each year. Common plant families to rotate include:
- Brassicas (cabbage, kale, broccoli, etc)
- Nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant)
- Cucurbits (cucumbers, squash, melons)
- Root vegetables (carrots, beets, radishes)
- Leafy greens (lettuce, spinach, chard)
- Legumes (beans, peas)
- Alliums (onions, garlic, leeks)
A simple approach is to divide your garden into quadrants and move each plant family to a new quadrant every year. This prevents growing the same families in the same soil two years in a row. With some planning your garden can benefit from crop rotation for years to come!
Tips for Ongoing Success
A successful home garden takes commitment and attention over time. Here are some tips for keeping your DIY garden thriving year after year:
Keep detailed notes each season
Keep a garden journal to document what you planted, when you planted it, how the plants grew, any issues that came up, and when you harvested. This will help you learn from experience and make improvements each season. Note which varieties did well or poorly in your climate and soil. Track pests and diseases. Record weather factors like rainfall.
Continue feeding soil nutrients
Replenish nutrients removed from soil during the growing season by applying compost and organic fertilizers. Test soil periodically to understand composition and pH. Rotate nitrogen-fixing plants to enrich soil naturally. Cover bare ground with mulch to prevent erosion.
Experiment with new varieties
Part of the fun of gardening is trying new plant varieties each season. Look for types bred for your region. Trial heat- and cold-tolerant varieties to expand your growing season. Introduce new colors and flavors.
Share produce with friends and family
A bountiful garden often leads to more fresh produce than one family can consume. Share the wealth! Give excess vegetables, herbs, and fruits to neighbors, friends, and family. Swap varieties with other gardeners. Donate to food pantries and shelters.
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