For first timers, getting a garden started can be challenging. Having a successful garden depends upon a wide variety of factors including what vegetables you decide to plant, where your garden is located, dealing with pests, the time and effort you have to put into your garden, the weather and much more.
In addition, there are many questions to ask yourself before you begin a garden, and one of the most important has to do with what kind of vegetables you want to grow. Selecting the best vegetables for your location, soil type, and personal and family preference all factor into your decision.
Vegetable Seasons
In general, vegetables come into two types: warm-season and cool-season. Obviously, warm-season vegetables are summer crops, and cool-season vegetables can grow at lower temperatures than warm-season ones. A few plants, like asparagus and rhubarb, are perennials that are planted once and then they grow year after year.
Warm-season vegetables include peppers, tomatoes, bush beans, melons, cucumber, corn, squash, and watermelon. These particular plants need high temperatures and warm soil in order to flourish and should be planted after the last frost in order to survive.
On the other hand, cool-season vegetables can grow in temperatures that range from 10° to 15°F (6° to 8°C) below those required for warm-season crops. These plants can tolerate brief periods of frost, meaning that they can be planted in early spring for harvest in early summer or be planted in late summer for a fall harvest. Typically, cool-season plants do not do well in extremely hot temperatures found in some locations but they can do well in locations where summers are cooler and wetter. Examples of cool-season plants include beets, cabbage, lettuce, carrots, broccoli, spinach and peas.
Vegetable Planting Location
Your particular location will determine what kinds of vegetables grow the best for your garden. However, having a successful crop is also influenced by the site of the garden and soil type. You will want to pick a location in your yard that gets plenty of sunshine every day. Most vegetables need at least six hours of direct sunlight. If your yard does not get that much, you might want to think about growing leafy green vegetables like lettuce and spinach. Also, you need a location where the soil is moist and well-drained, and it is easier if your garden is near a water source. It is wise to avoid planting your vegetables in the same spot every year in order to keep the soil healthy and prevent pest and disease.
Not surprisingly, personal and family preference goes into this decision as well. It makes sense to grow what you and your family like to eat in order to cut down on waste. If you want to get your kids involved in your garden, the easiest vegetables to grow include carrots, watermelon, cherry tomatoes, and pumpkins. Plus, it never hurts to try and grow new varieties of vegetables every year. With the right amount of tender, loving care, a successful garden can benefit you and your family for years to come.