With fresh produce readily available at grocery stores, starting a vegetable garden may seem unnecessary and challenging. However, growing your own fruits and vegetables offers numerous benefits, such as learning about your food, saving money, and embracing sustainable living through composting. Experts assure that gardening isn’t as hard as it appears.
The Joy of Gardening
David Toht, author of Backyard Homesteading, highlights the simplicity of maintaining a garden. Once you’ve established your plants, the upkeep is minimal. “It’s a joy to check your garden and find fresh vegetables ready for cooking,” he says.
Brian Brigantti from Redleaf Ranch, a popular gardening TikTok channel, began his vegetable garden during the pandemic in March 2020. “As food accessibility became uncertain, I wanted to grow my own,” he explains. His journey into gardening opened his eyes to the interconnectedness of nature, making it a fulfilling experience.
Brigantti emphasizes the satisfaction of eating homegrown food. “You appreciate your meals more when you know they come from your own efforts,” he says. Toht agrees, stating that homegrown vegetables taste better and can save you money. In the past, Toht tracked his garden’s output and found that it provided over $800 worth of produce.
Gardening also promotes physical activity. “It keeps you agile and strong,” Brigantti adds. “There’s something therapeutic about working with soil.”
Tips and Tools for Vegetable Gardening
Assess Your Space
Before starting your garden, determine if your space can accommodate one. According to Toht, light is crucial. “Choose an area that gets at least six hours of sunlight,” he advises. You can measure sunlight by observing how much your chosen spot receives throughout the day or using a sunlight measuring tool.
Brigantti suggests that while sunlight is essential, some plants can thrive in partially shaded areas. “You can create a shade garden if needed,” he explains.
Choosing the Right Gardening Method
Brigantti recommends using the no-till gardening method, which is simple and great for soil health. Start by outlining your garden bed with a spade and aerate the soil using a pitchfork. To eliminate weeds, cover the area with cardboard, soak it, and then add a layer of soil or compost. After that, plant your seeds or seedlings through the cardboard and cover them with mulch to retain moisture.
If you prefer tilling, Toht suggests digging 4-foot-wide beds with paths in between for easy access. Double digging can help aerate the soil, allowing plants to grow better.
Selecting Your Plants
For beginners, Brigantti recommends starting with easy-to-grow plants like kale, carrots, onions, spinach, tomatoes, and peppers. He also suggests including comfrey, which can be used as a natural fertilizer. Toht likes planting tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, and Brussels sprouts for a late harvest. It’s essential to consult local gardeners to determine which plants suit your climate.
More Gardening Tips
- Watering: To ensure your plants receive enough water, bury perforated plastic milk jugs near the roots. Fill them during dry periods to provide moisture directly to the soil.
- Pest Management: Don’t fear bugs; many are beneficial for your garden. Learn to recognize and support them.
- Adapting to Change: Gardening is a learning process. If your first year isn’t successful, keep experimenting and adjusting your methods.
- Consider Raising Chickens: If local regulations allow, raising chickens can provide fresh eggs and natural compost.
- Build Relationships with Your Plants: Understand their needs and don’t hesitate to prune them for better growth. Regularly fertilizing your plants will also boost their health.
Final Thoughts
Starting a vegetable garden may seem daunting, but it can be an incredibly rewarding experience. With the right knowledge, tools, and passion, anyone can cultivate their own green space, enjoy the fruits of their labor, and appreciate the beauty of nature.
