How to Plant a Vegetable Garden
Step 1: Choose a spot. Anywhere with loads of sunshine (at least six hours a day) and good drainage will do, whether it’s a backyard plot, a raised rooftop container, a window box, or simply a single pot. A garden is a garden, no matter the size. Take pride in yours.
Step 2: Plan your crop. Based on your climate, your time, your tools, and your taste buds, choose which vegetables you’d like to grow, and purchase the seeds from your local garden or hardware store. Don’t be afraid to ask your neighbor or local farmer for advice. And remember, you’ll get much more out of a smaller, well-kept garden than a larger, unmanageable patch, so be honest with yourself about what you can swing.
Step 3: Prepare the soil. Using a shovel, dig your garden seven to ten inches deep. Turn the soil until it’s soft and fluffy, working out any clumps, grass, rocks, or weeds. Don’t be afraid to work up a sweat. With glistening skin and little smudges of dirt on your cheeks, you’ll look hot (in a good way). Mix in any compost if you have it.
Step 4: Sow your seeds according to the instructions on the back of the seed packets. Depth (often just a finger poke) and spacing (usually six to twelve inches) are key for healthy plants. Label each row with a wooden stake (or even just a popsicle stick), marked with the name of the crop.
Step 5: Water your garden once a week (it needs about an inch of H2O) in the early morning (before the temperatures begin to rise), and watch it grow!
More Nifty Tips
• Don’t forget to wear a hat and sunscreen when you’re working, even on cloudy days.
• Pull weeds (root and all) regularly. Unlike punk-rock hair, wild gardens don’t rock. If they’re unkempt, your veggies will be sapped of nutrients, light, and water.