Are you thinking about starting a vegetable garden but no clue where to begin? It’s easier than you think to start an organic garden – whether you plant in-ground, or via raised beds or containers. We actually call ours a Victory Garden! This is your ultimate guide to starting your organic vegetable garden from planning to sowing and growing to enjoying your harvest.
Why an Organic Garden?
I try to live as an all-natural of a lifestyle as possible. That includes eating organic produce. It can get expensive, though. And that’s why when we first moved to the Homestead, one of the first things we did was transform the bocce ball court in the backyard into a Victory Garden. We call ours a Victory Garden because Hubby and I are both WWII and history nerds and love to enjoy the basics of life.
Back to the pesticides. If you are going to start your own garden, you may as well make it an organic garden with organic soil, non-GMO seeds, and not using any kind of pesticides. There will be some upfront expenses in getting the materials and dirt. But after that, there is a huge cost-benefit of growing your own produce.
There are also huge emotional benefits of being outside, being grounded in the dirt, and growing and eating your own produce!
What Type and Where
I think this is the biggest obstacle most people face is how to get started. For us, we already had a perfect spot. For many of you though, you will need to figure out if you are going to dig up a spot in your yard, build or buy a raised bed, or plant in containers on your patio or deck. Don’t let the lack of space be an excuse. There are plenty of ways to garden via containers!
Regardless of your system, you will ideally want 8-12 inches of a dirt base, with a 6-inch minimum.
Once you figure out what type of garden you want, the next step is location. You will want a spot that gets at least 4-6 hours of direct sun every day. The longer the sun exposure, the better.
You will also want it close to a water supply, so you can ensure it gets watered properly when it’s not raining. We rigged up an “irrigation system” that works well for our garden by using a long hose (actually, several long hoses attached to each other) and then we have smaller hoses connecting 3 sprinklers. Turn the outdoor faucet on once and the entire garden is watered. Now, the last sprinkler doesn’t get as much water, but it still works. What I’m trying to say is to use your creativity and figure out a watering system that works best for your situation.
Pick Your Vegetables
It’s best to start with vegetables that are easy to grow. You can choose to sample several vegetables and see which ones grow best in your garden. Or you can choose to focus on just a few and enjoy a more concentrated harvest. Either way, here are some of the easiest veggies to grow:
Carrots
Cucumbers
Green Beans
Kale
Lettuce
Peas
Peppers
Summer Squash
Tomatoes
Zucchini
Psst… want garden harvest recipes you can make all year long? Click below…
When to Plant
If you live in the United States or Canada and are wondering when to sow and plant seeds for your garden, this is the ultimate guide! We’ll cover all of the basics including how to find your Plant Hardiness Zone, when is the last frost, and when to begin sowing seeds both indoors and also outdoors in your garden. This guide will focus on your vegetable garden, but the concept will work for any kind of seeds.
READ: The Ultimate Guide of When to Sow and Plant Seeds
Start Seeds
Whether you are a novice or avid gardener or want to teach your child some great lessons about being green and sustainable, growing and starting seeds in an egg carton is super quick and easy! It’s a great way to kick off the warmer spring days!
READ: How to Start Seeds in an Egg Carton
Get Your Tools
If you or your dearest love to garden, I’ve curated the best 25 items that every gardener will love.
READ: The Best 25 Gifts That Every Gardner Will Love
Composting is Easier Than You Think!
Scared to try composting? Not sure where to begin? We’ve compiled all of the information you need to know to get started. It’s a little daunting at first, but trust me, it soon becomes second nature and in one year, your garden will be thanking you with a bountiful harvest. What are you waiting for? Let’s start composting!
READ: How to Start Composting – Everything You Need to Know
It took a while for my family to commit to composting. Once we jumped on the train, I was excited to get started, but then realized we would need a space for a compost bin. We carved out the perfect nook in our backyard. This DIY is made with pallets, is 100% upcycled and eco-friendly, and Stepson even helped to get a Boy Scout merit badge. It’s the perfect solution for our growing compost and super easy for you to replicate. Check it out!
READ: How to Make a Compost Bin with Pallets
Bonus – Pimp Out Your Garden with a Trellis
I was sick of our veggies rotting on the ground and after hours of scouring the internet without a solution, we decided to build our own structures. This is the before and after and behind the scenes of the 3 vegetable garden trellis DIYs that now proudly help our veggies grow to peak harvest! Here’s how you can make these vegetable garden trellises too!
READ: 3 Vegetable Garden Trellis DIYs
Time to Enjoy Your Harvest!
Living a healthy lifestyle begins with the food you put inside your body.
Garden Harvest Recipes: A Plant to Plate Cookbook will help you enjoy plant-centric meals all year long. ALL of the recipes are gluten-free. From Paleo to Whole30 to Vegan, these are my favorite go-to recipes made from the bounty of my organic vegetable garden. Whether you have your own veggie garden, hit the Farmer’s Market, or join a CSA, this book is designed to help you create healthy recipes from the abundance of the garden harvest. It’s one small albeit very important step on the journey to reclaiming your health.
More Gardening Resources You Will Love
The Ultimate Guide to When to Sow and Plant Seeds
How to Start Composting – Everything You Need to Know
The Best 25 Gifts That Every Gardner Will Love
Are you Inspired?
Be sure to download your FREE Garden Harvest Cookbook for plant to plate recipes all year long!
Love, hugs, and enjoying the bounty.
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