There’s an old saying that goes, “Give a man some vegetables, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man how to grow a vegetable garden, and you feed his whole family for life.” With the current state the world is in, now is as good a time as ever to start eating healthy and sustainably. With World Plant a Vegetable Garden Day upon us, here is how simple it can be to start your own vegetable garden.
Pick the right location
Picking the right location for your vegetable garden is the absolute key to obtaining the best harvest. Given most vegetables need at least six hours of sunlight, planting them in sunny spots with moist, well-drained soil will yield you better results. As the Old Farmer’s Almanac says, “Plant in a location that would make Goldilocks proud.”
Start small
A common error among beginners is to plant too much too soon. The best thing to do is start your garden small and plant only what you know you will eat in a certain amount of time. It’s better to be proud of small vegetable garden than be overwhelmed and frustrated with a larger one.
Choose your vegetables
When choosing your vegetables, it is very important to choose vegetables you know you will actually eat and how much you will actually eat. Consider what vegetables are available at your grocery store and which are better to grow at home. Invest in high-quality seeds to insure you’re getting a good harvest.
Take care of your garden
If you know you’re going out of town, it’s important to have someone tend your garden. In order to be sure you’re growing your vegetables the best you can, you have to do your research depending on what you are growing. Sites like Old Farmer’s Almanac and Gardeners offer guides to starting your vegetable garden and maintaining it, which are extremely helpful.
The benefits of having a vegetable garden
Gardening is said to be a natural stress reliever, and while consuming more fresh fruits and vegetables is one of the most important things you can do to stay healthy, it is also another good way to save money on groceries. According to UNC Health Talk, gardening is also a great way to boost self-esteem as it brings you a sense of accomplishment knowing you were able to grow your own food fresh and enjoy it.
Photo: M. Spiske
