Picture this: The sun gently kissing your skin, the earthy scent of soil filling the air, and the promise of delicious, homegrown veggies tantalizing your taste buds. If you haven’t guessed, today I’m going to dive into backyard gardening. More specifically, vegetable gardening! Normally this is something I begin a little later in the season, but with the consistent warm days and evenings we’ve had, I think it’s safe to get started on some of the early season veggies.
There are a few things to consider before we get our hands in the dirt. So, lets go over some of the steps that will surely help to make your garden journey a successful one.
Step 1: Choose the Right Location.
Look for an area that gets plenty of sun, as most veggies thrive in at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. If you have limited space, you can still plant your vegetables in large pots or raised beds. Last year we set up our garden beds on a sunny patch of land next to the fence. The way the sunlight danced through the plants in the early evening was pure magic.
Step 2: Prepare the Soil.
Gimme the dirt! Healthy, nutrient rich soil sets the foundation for a garden to thrive. Take the time to enrich your soil with organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure. This will provide essential nutrients for your plants and improve the soil’s texture, ensuring optimal growing conditions. We have a large plot of land and do our own composting, but using store bought soil with organic compost works wonderfully as well!
Lamberts black earth soil (27L) $5.99
Step 3: Select Your Vegetables.
This is the exciting part! It is also the part that can get out of hand if you haven’t devised a good plan. From juicy tomatoes and crisp lettuces to vibrant peppers and fragrant herbs, the options are endless. Having a clear understanding of how much garden space you have and of what your family eats will help guide this process and keep you from overbuying.
Potted mixed herbs $12.99
Keep in mind that sowing times differ from plant to plant, so be sure to read the instructions on each vegetable to ensure you are within the optimal timeframe. Right now, I’m transplanting the tomatoes & broccoli that I started from seed, planting some different lettuces, and sowing seeds for peas, beans and carrots.
2" veg pack $1.29
Step 4: Plant, Water, and Watch them Grow!
With your soil prepped, and your plants selected, it’s time to get your hands dirty! Gently plant your seeds or seedlings according to the instructions on the packet. Working with moist soil is best, so I give my dirt some water before I begin. Then after everything has been planted, I give it all another good drink.
OSC vegetable seed packet $2.99
1.5 gal Watering can $14.99 | 2" veg pack $1.29 | 4" veg plant $2.99
Tending to a plant from seed to eventually harvesting it’s flavourful, ripe fruit is pure bliss. Nothing tastes better than homegrown! Gardening has been such a great journey for our family. It brings us all together outside everyday and teaches the kids so much about life. They learn about nature and growing. They learn about responsibility. And they learn the importance of being present, of enjoying the slow curiosities that can easily be missed if we don’t pay attention. Not to mention that growing vegetables from home is the best way to get the kids on board and excited to eat them. Every year, when it’s time to harvest, we so look forward to enjoying the fruits of our labour.
1.5 gal Watering can $14.99 | Seeds - prices vary | 2" veg pack $1.29 | 4" veg plant $2.99
The advantages of growing your own backyard vegetable garden are plentiful, that is for sure. I hope you will join me in the wonderful world of gardening and reap all of the benefits it has to offer.
