Starting a garden is like a building, it's all about the location. Like all plants, vegetables need the sun to start photosynthesis. Fastest growing vegetables need full sun Fastest growing vegetables need full sun at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight a day without blocking trees, shrubs, or fences. That's why you won't be very successful if you plant sun-loving vegetables in shaded spaces.
If your garden provides partial shade, plant vegetables and herbs that tolerate those conditions, such as lettuce, kale, chard, spinach, chives, coriander, parsley, and thyme. Root crops, such as carrots, radishes, and beets, may also work if your site gets at least 4 hours of direct sunlight a day. Or if you have a sunny patio, switch to pot gardening. That way, you can place vegetables and herbs that you like from the sun, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, basil, dill, and rosemary, where they do well.
Place plants in rows at least 18 inches apart so you can easily walk between them. This approach makes more sense for large orchards because the rows make it easy to use mechanical equipment, such as tillers, to combat weeds. The downside is that the space reserved for the trails reduces the amount of vegetables you can plant. Increase the productivity of your garden with intensive cultivation, which means you can place two or three plants together in a bed approximately 4 feet wide (also known as a wide row).
Seeds are sown or transplants are placed so that their leaves barely touch at maturity. This approach, which uses almost every square centimeter of prepared soil, works well for most types of vegetables, excluding those that get tangled, such as cucumbers. The disadvantage of this method is that you have to weed by hand because the plants grow very close together. Either way, work the soil only when it's wet enough to form a loose ball in your fist, but dry enough to melt when you release it.
Digging when the soil is too dry is a harder job and can damage the soil structure if it is too wet. Use a shovel or spade fork to gently twist the top 6 to 8 inches of soil, mixing the organic matter from Step 4 at the same time. Walking on prepared beds compacts the floor, so place plywood boards temporarily to distribute your weight evenly. Seedlings should never be allowed to dry out, so water daily.
It narrows as the plants grow. Transplants also need frequent watering (about every other day) until their roots are established. After that, how often you need to water depends on soil, humidity, and rainfall, though once a week is a good place to start. Clay soil dries more slowly than sandy soil, so you won't need to water it as often.
Sunny and windy conditions dry the soil more quickly than cold, cloudy weather. Not sure yet? Feel the soil 3-4 inches below the surface. If you're feeling dry, it's time to water. Water slowly and deeply, so water absorbs rather than drains.
To minimize evaporation, water early in the morning. Getting started with gardening shouldn't be a frustrating task. Remember to start small and work your way up. Start with a few potted vegetables, for example, or plant some flowers.
And don't forget the old saying: “If at first you don't make it, try it, try again. Even the most experienced gardeners have faced challenges and losses at some point (many of us still do). In the end, your persistence will be rewarded with beautiful flowering plants and tasty products. Find a place with full sun.
Most fruits and vegetables require more than 6 hours of sunshine a day, so make sure the location you choose isn't shaded. These steps will help you start from scratch, but if you have something in mind, you can also use a garden plan to guide your design. Specially designed containers or floors for seedlings and soil mixtures starting with seeds are available at garden centers. .
