1. Choose the right site.
Make sure to choose a spot in your yard that you will see often. If you plant your garden in a hidden corner of the yard you will be less likely to keep up on it. Besides, what’s the point of having a garden nobody can see? You might be even more motivated to keep up your garden if you choose a spot where your neighbors can see it frequently as well.
2. Keep an eye out for sunlight.
The sun is so critical to the health and success of your garden. Take some time to notice the path of the sunlight through your yard during the day, and which parts of the garden get the best sunlight. Most of your edible plants such as fruits and vegetables will need at least 6 hours of sunlight every day in order to truly thrive.
3. Keep water close at hand.
Make sure you plan your garden plots near a water source. You will need to water your garden often, so the importance of being able to do so easily and conveniently cannot be overstated. It’s best if you have a garden hose that can reach your plot. The best way to determine if your garden needs water is to push a finger down into the soil to a depth of about the first knuckle. If you don’t feel any moisture, then it’s time for a good watering.
4. Use quality soil.
Choose a soil which is rich in nutrients and will drain easily. You can find a premixed soil that will be ideal for your purposes at your local gardening store.
5. Use containers.
If you don’t have much yard space for the planting of your vegetable garden, you can just as easily use pots. You can find planting containers in all shapes in sizes that will accommodate any type of plant you choose to grow!
6. Select the proper plant varieties.
Be sure to choose plants which are suited to the conditions and climate in which you will be growing them. You won’t be successful growing tropical fruits and succulents in Alaska! Make sure to do your research and find varieties of plant life that will suit your local weather conditions and space availability well.
7. Find your hardiness zone.
The hardiness zone describes the coldest temperature that a plant can survive. Knowing this for the area in which you live can help you to choose plants that will thrive in your yard.
8. Become familiar with frost dates.
Planting your garden too early or late in the year can be detrimental to the success of your crops. Know the average date of the first and last frosts of the year to help guide you on when to plant your seeds, and when to gather your harvest.
9. Don’t be afraid to mulch.
Use a layer of mulch surrounding your plants that is about 2-3 inches deep. This will help to keep weeds at bay by starving them of sunlight, and help to keep water trapped into the soil.
10. Use plant food.
Use plant food in conjunction with quality soil to achieve the best results. Wait about a month after planting to start introducing supplementary nutrients into your garden.