Additional fertilizers can be used too to provide a short-term boost that plants will benefit from. Clay soils can be very heavy and sandier soils too light – the structure, fertility and soil health of any garden can be boosted by adding compost, well-rotted manure, or organic matter into the site and continuing to do so year-on-year. A pH test will tell you how acidic or alkaline your soil is, ideally it would be neutral as that is best for most plants. An example of a home soil testing kit is the Luster Leaf Products Professional Soil Kit available at Amazon.įor a vegetable garden, the soil type ideally wants to be loose and well-draining. And it gives a chance to make any amendments if required. It is recommended to test your soil to see its type, pH, and nutrient make-up before planting anything so you know what you are working with. Your soil is going to be the most important element when you start a vegetable garden – it will make or break the success of your plot. If you do want to transform a large area, then it can be done slowly or sections not cultivated covered with thick cardboard or plastic to smother weeds. It can take up more time than first expected and no-one wants to get disillusioned by turning over a huge space in their backyard to a vegetable garden that they don't actually have the time in their busy lives to tend. By starting small it means you can get a feel for how long things take to grow and nurture and the time involved in weeding, watering, fertilizing and harvesting. Starting with focusing on small vegetable garden ideas allows you to learn and get that satisfaction without the risk of getting frustrated by a large vegetable garden that gets weedy and out of control quickly. Some people may have grand plans when planning a kitchen garden, though if you are new to vegetable gardening then it may be best to start with a small space. If you are planning how to start a vegetable garden in your backyard then the potential size is likely dictated by what yard space you have. (Image credit: Flowerphotos/Alamy Stock Photo) 2. Finally, it wants to have rich and fertile soil, though that can be amended and there are options to use raised beds or outdoor planters if the soil is not suitable for growing vegetables. You want the site to have convenient access and preferably for it to be near a water source, so you do not have to carry watering cans or drag hoses too far. The soil wants to drain well and definitely not be waterlogged in winter – an issue I unfortunately encountered when during the first winter at my allotment I found that all the water on the site ran down to my corner and my vegetable beds turned into swimming pools for extended periods. There are vegetables to grow in shade that will be happy, though none will revel growing in the full shady spots, so avoid anywhere with overhanging trees or in the shade of buildings.Īny site for a vegetable garden wants to be level and sheltered from strong winds that could potentially damage plants. That means finding a site for your vegetable garden that gets lots of sun, ideally around six to eight hours a day. You want to choose a spot in your backyard in which your vegetables will thrive.
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