Starting a Vegetable Garden

18 items · Home · Medium difficulty · 2 hours

Get your vegetable garden growing: plan, prepare, plant, and maintain.

• Assess site sunlight and shade patterns

  Observe and record sun hours across the day to match crops to light.

• Choose garden location and layout

  Pick a flat, well-drained spot with good sun and access to water.

• Measure and mark bed sizes and paths

  Sketch beds with dimensions and access paths for maintenance.

• Plan access points and pathways

  Allow comfortable reach into beds and space for tools or wheelbarrow.

• Test soil pH and fertility

  Use a home kit or send a sample to a lab to determine needs.

• Improve soil with compost and amendments

  Add compost; adjust pH with lime or sulfur based on results.

• Decide on bed type: raised beds vs in-ground

  Choose based on soil depth, drainage, budget, and accessibility.

• Choose vegetables suited to your season and zone

  Pick easy, productive varieties matched to frost dates and light.

• Plan crop rotation and succession planting

  Map which families go where and schedule follow-up plantings.

• Decide between seeds or seedlings and source them

  Weigh cost, timing, and availability for each crop.

• Order or buy seeds/seedlings and note planting dates

  Buy from reputable suppliers and record recommended transplant dates.

• Prepare planting schedule and assign beds

  Create a calendar with sow/transplant/harvest dates per bed.

• Install watering system (drip/soaker) and set timer

  Choose drip or soaker lines to conserve water and ensure consistency.

• Mulch beds and add water-retaining layer

  Apply organic mulch to suppress weeds and retain moisture.

• Plant seeds or seedlings at correct depth and spacing

  Follow seed packet or label instructions for depth and spacing.

• Set up supports: stakes, cages, and trellises

  Install supports at planting for vining and tall crops.

• Monitor water needs, pests, and plant health weekly

  Check soil moisture, look for pests, and note growth or issues.

• Maintain crop rotation and amend beds each season

  Rotate families yearly and add compost between seasons.

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