As a beginner in vegetable gardening, you may have a lot of questions in your mind such as what vegetables are ideal to plant, the type of soil, or the condition these plants will likely survive. All these questions will be answered in this article.

Organic gardening is practical these days, it delivers nutritious foods in your table and makes you save a lot of money. This article will talk about vegetables appropriate for your garden and proper ways to start your garden.

Choose your Vegetables

• Carrots

This vegetable is rich in vitamins C, D and E. It is ready to harvest after 70 to 80 days. Make sure to use a garden fork when you remove them from the soil.

• Green Beans

Because they are easy to cultivate, green beans are the most popular vegetable. In just one packet of seeds, 4 to 5 seedlings will likely grow. However, this crop will stop producing or growing during summer but will start again when once summer ends.

• Lettuce

This is an easy vegetable to grow. Your soil must have generous amount of compost in order for the plants to grow healthy and maintain moisture in roots. The soil pH must be neutral.

• Cucumbers

It is used mostly in salads and it tastes good especially if you pick them fresh from your garden. Harvest them before they become too big.

• Spinach

With enough compost in the soil, this vegetable will surely grow.  Water it in fair amount to maintain moisture and remove weeds occasionally. They are great for sandwiches and soups.

• Tomatoes

You can purchase full-grown tomatoes in stores and replant it in your garden. Use tomato cage or stakes to support your tomato while growing. You can also use twine or fabric strips.

• Radishes

Since they grow quickly, they are perfect for beginners and even for children. Mixing compost in soil is advisable before you put the seeds.

• Bell Pepper

Over watering or over-fertilizing this vegetable is a bad idea. With proper care, they can easily grow.

• Summer Squash

Zucchini is the widely known summer squash in US. They are high-yielding plant like the radishes so be careful when you plant them.

• Basil

This is an herb that you can include in your vegetable garden or even in your windowsill garden. Basil gives off an amazing fragrance when you pick its leaves.

Vegetable seeds are relatively cheap so you can definitely find the ones that will fit your budget. Make sure the seeds you choose will survive the condition in your area.

Plant them in your Garden

Now that you have chosen your seeds, it is time to plant them. As a beginner, this might be an overwhelming task for you but with the types provided below, it will surely be easy for you.

When you purchase your seeds, there are also instructions available on how you should sow, maintain and harvest each crop so make sure to follow them carefully.

But if it doesn’t have any given instructions, then you have to research on each vegetable you purchased. You can search online to find countless articles and blogs which could be a great help to you.

The Right Type of Soil

It is important that you identify the type of soil you have in your garden and then make sure it is appropriate for the survival of your plants. Soil makes a difference on how your plants will grow.

The first step you should do is to mix your soil with organic materials or compost pit so that it has the nutrients your plants will need. You can sprinkle a small amount of fertilizer but them organic is more ideal to have a healthy soil. Stick to organic feeds since this will prevent your vegetable from consuming chemicals from commercial fertilizers.

Eliminate the Pests

The most difficult challenge for gardeners is eliminating pests that eat your plants before you do. This is really unavoidable, so you must observe every plant if they are infested by pests.

Also make sure to harvest the fruits at the right time, so you can have a taste of your hard labor before the pests take their bite. You have a choice by putting your garden inside your house or have a greenhouse of your own.

Cottage garden is an easy, colorful garden type that showcases a beautiful collection of herbs and flowers. It would be wonderful if you take baby steps in creating your garden. Starting start and adding more as you go along is the best idea to achieve a healthy and beautiful garden.

Use organic soil so you don’t have to water or put fertilizer on your plants every day. This type of soil is rich in nutrients so you will surely have blooming and healthy plants all-year round. You will definitely enjoy that your plants are in ideal condition and well-nourished.

One great thing about this garden is the plant density. This maintains the moisture and coolness of your roots while you prevent weeds from growing. Furthermore, the seeds naturally fall to the soil and a new crop will emerge in no time.

1.    Prepare the Basics

Like any gardener who prepares for his new garden, you should check the area if it receives the sunlight your plants needs. Identify if it’s too moist or too dry to plant your garden.

If the soil is not plant-friendly then you have to mix it with materials in order to condition it to make it a better soil for your garden. It is essential that you should provide the basic needs of your plants for survival and in return, you will have a healthy and colorful garden in your property.

2.    Frame it up!

Borders are important for your garden. It improves the look of your garden and you can be creative about it. You can use picket fences to outline the boundaries of your cottage style garden.

You can also use stones, bricks or concrete to enhance the landscape of your garden. There are no rules in gardening so you can do things which seem right for your garden.

3.    Choose your most-loved plants.

This is the best part in starting with a garden. Perennials are the best choice but you can also incorporate it with the bright-colored annuals. You just have to know how to pair them up in your garden. Since annuals die after a year, it is important that perennials take over while you are preparing to replace the annuals; this is why they should sit side by side.

Choose plants that you love and arrange them so each one can receive sunlight. You can organize them in one color or pair them up with complementary colors.

Make sure that your chosen colors complements your house, this is a very important factor to consider. Planning it well will improve your overall property.

4.    Water your plants.

A timed drip hose is practical for your garden. This is to ensure that they get the water and moisture they need. Through drip hose, water can easily be accessed by the roots.

You can find cheap timers at local garden stores. Setting the time will keep your garden watered everyday.

A cottage garden needs less water than the traditional garden. Your garden won’t need it until summer comes or when the driest part of the season comes.

5.    Add mulch for finishing touches.

The great thing about mulch is that they hold moisture and press down the weeds. It is like your finishing touches to your garden that makes it complete. Make sure to use organic mulch such as bark or leaf mold and then you can use other nutrients. Much will break down in time and give your soil the nutrients it needs so it is important to have it in your garden.

One should have the knowledge about plants in order to create a healthy-growing garden for years to come. You should do a thorough research of all the plants that are applicable for your area. Study about the care, soil or condition they need. Some plants can survive without much attention from you but some needs proper trimming or watering every day. It is important to identify these plants.

Gardening does not only bring beauty to your property but also makes you feel relaxed every time you see your flowers bloom. Starting your own cottage style garden is also a great form of exercise and this could be a habit that you will surely love. Cottage gardening is definitely a great gardening idea for it brings color to your property and can also relieve stress from your life.

Organic garden has attracted many gardeners today. They can create their own garden where herbs, vegetables and fruits are planted. It is either for personal consumption or profit.

In organic gardening, you don’t use pesticides, chemicals and other synthetic materials. You just let nature be in charge and allow plants to grow naturally, just use the materials Mother Nature has provided.

Many gardeners prefer this type of gardening because of the health benefits and you can greatly save money in having your own organic garden. However, organic farming is a little bit tricky than you think specially if you are a beginner. So here are some tips you should keep in mind in growing an organic garden:

Don’t spend too much.

Don’t spend your money on those pricey organic fertilizers, organic products or gardening tools. If you spend too much money on these luxuries you will end up having an expensive organic food.

This is against the whole concept of why you chose organic garden. It is supposed to be free from chemicals and supposed to make you save money compared to chemical gardening.

Find the right place.

Before you plant your vegetables, you should know what kind of environment or condition they need. Some plants need more sunlight than others. Some need to be near a water resource.

If you are unsure of the different needs of your plants, then do some thorough research before planting them in the area. If you do this, in no time you will have fine quality and healthy vegetables.

Check the soils.

The first thing you should do is to check the moisture and pH level of the soil. You have to know what type of soil you have in your garden and then make corrections if necessary. If the soil is not in good condition that you may add compost, manures and grass clippings to improve the soil.

To achieve healthy growing vegetables, you have to set your solid in fine quality. A healthy soil means you have health organic plants.

Make compost.

There are two ways you can make compost. One, you can buy it in a store for a very cheap price. Two, you can use the kitchen scraps and waste.

This is disposing your waste in an environmental way. Making compost is not difficult. In fact, after a few times you have tried to make compost, the next ones would be easier.

You garden needs a bit of your time.

Most people tend to forget or ignore their new garden for just a few days. This is definitely not a good idea if you aim for vegetables in fine quality. It takes patience and time before you have a good organic garden.

You must give time and care to your plants or you will be creating problems of your own. In a day, you must spare time for your garden to check for pests, weeds and most importantly, to look after your plants. It might take a great effort for you but in time you will get used to it and you will see and taste the fruit of your labor.

Growing your crops through organic gardening is truly a safe and healthy way for you and your family to eat. After all, studies show that the chemical fertilizers used in crops by some people are linked to many diseases such as Cancer.

Gardening during the summer is a fun and relaxing past time that millions of people enjoy.  As fall comes around, many people think that it is time to put away their gardening tools for the winter, but there are actually some great things you can do with your garden during the winter. 

In some climates it will not be possible to grow anything outside because of the cold weather and snow, but in warmer climates you can often keep your garden going as long as you take extra care.

Winter gardening is not as difficult as many people might think, but it does take some planning and a little extra attention.  Most people agree that this is a great hobby to enjoy all winter long as long as you give it then care it requires.

Colder Climates

In parts of the country where it is simply too cold to do any gardening in the winter, you can still enjoy this excellent hobby.  You can start an herb garden inside.  Due to the small size of these plants, you can keep them on window ledges or even have a small area in a room dedicated only for them.  You can grow them through the winter inside and then either move them outside in the spring, or just keep them as an inside project all year.

There are many other plants which can do quite well in pots during the winter season.  The main concern for most people who take on indoor gardening activities is the size of the plant.  They wouldn’t want to grow corn for example, because the stalks get so large.  Tomatoes, however, are an excellent option for indoor growth.  Just make sure to place them in an area which has plenty of sunlight.

Warmer Climates

Winter gardening in warmer climates is not too difficult.  As long as it stays warm enough to keep the plants growing during the day, you can take steps to ensure they survive the nights easily.  Some people will grow everything in pots so they can move them inside during the evening and days when it is too cold, and then move them outside on warmer days.

Another option is to have your plants in the ground throughout the winter and use protective coverings to keep them warm during the night.  There are blankets designed to keep the frost and cold off of plants at night, and you can also consider custom glass enclosures which will help fight the cold.  They can even help intensify the sunlight so they will grow better on cool days.

Infographics are awesome because you can get a lot of information in a very short amount of time.

An online friend emailed me a link to one about interesting points in the history of the “lawn mower”. Pretty cool, let us know what you think or if you have any links to other cool infographics related to gardening / landscaping.

The part that surprised me was how many people per year get injured!