• Home
  • The Blog
    • Crafts
      • Floral
      • Paper
      • Sewing
      • Seasonal Crafts
    • Home & Garden
      • Everyday Decor
      • Seasonal Decor
      • Garden
      • Parties
    • Recipes
    • Free Printables
    • Gift guides
  • About
    • About Crissy
    • VIP Newsletter
    • Disclosure
  • Contact

First Day of Home

Crafts - Decor - Inspired Living

  • Home
  • Crafts
    • Floral
    • Paper
    • Sewing
    • Seasonal
  • Home & Garden
    • Everyday Decor
    • Seasonal Decor
    • Garden
    • Parties
  • Recipes
  • Free Printables
  • Become a VIP
  • About
    • About Crissy
    • Disclosure
    • Contact

Last updated: September 19, 2020 in Garden· Home & Garden

Vegetable Gardening for Beginners: What You Need to Know

Please support this site by sharing!
  • 66
    Shares

So you want to enjoy fresh veggies from the garden, but you don’t know where to begin? I’ve been there! That’s why I created this vegetable gardening for beginners guide. I’m going to remove the intimidation factor and bring you along for a real-life gardening journey. Green thumb, here we come!

Raised bed garden and gardening tools

This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. For more information, please see my disclosures.

Beginner Vegetable Gardening: Quick Tips

With more families staying at home this year, there’s never been a more perfect time to start a home garden. The kids actually get excited about eating their vegetables, and the grown-ups can’t get enough Caprese salad. (Or is it just me?)

Vegetable seed starter kit with gardening tools
Seed starting kit and gardening tools

I’ve had great luck growing a spring garden in the past. Now I’m gearing up for a fall raised bed vegetable garden. You can see the progress in my Instagram gardening highlights.

Click HERE to follow on Instagram!

Here are a few things to keep in mind before you get too far down the path:

  • Don’t plant more than you can eat. Try to grow 5-7 veggies to feed your family and a few neighbors, not serve a whole buffet.
  • Be aware of your watering and fertilizing needs. Like owning a pet, your plant babies will need routine care.
  • Watch the calendar. You might find yourself between growing seasons, but you can still get your beds or containers ready to sow.
  • Learn from your mistakes. Keep a journal so you can remember your gardening fails for next time.

Timing is Everything When Gardening

Pull out the calendar! Whether you’re planning a spring garden or a fall garden, there’s a prime time for planting vegetables in your region. It varies with each vegetable, too.

Tomato seedling just planted in raised bed vegetable garden
Tomato seedling in our raised bed garden this fall

Here in Houston, Texas, I’ve just planted tomatoes and peppers (in mid-August). Soon I’ll start on my green beans, cucumbers and squash. I have until October to plant carrots and lettuce, since it’s still incredibly hot here.

If you want to find the perfect dates to plant vegetables in your area, The Old Farmer’s Almanac offers a useful planting calendar by zip code. The guide tells you exactly when to sow your seeds or seedlings either indoors or outdoors.

Before you go buying your vegetable seeds, however, you need to know exactly where you plan to sow them.

Container, In-Ground or Raised Bed Vegetable Garden?

If you’re just starting out as a gardener, you may want to plant a container or in-ground garden. For the more committed beginner gardener, you can opt to build (or buy) a raised bed vegetable garden.

Container Gardens

Containers come in handy when you have limited space or want the convenience of moving your plants closer to your kitchen. Having a “mobile” garden also allows you to experiment with different locations to optimize sunlight.

Related post: How to paint terracotta pots

You can grow just about any vegetable or herb in a container garden with the exception of heavy/bulky ones like corn, giant squash, or pumpkins. The key is having a large enough container (with enough soil) to accommodate the full-grown plant. This is especially true for root vegetables like potatoes.

Tomatoes, peas, and salad greens are particularly good vegetables to grow in a container garden.

For soil, you can choose a potting mix that already includes the perfect formulation of organic matter and comes with a good pH balance.

Pros of container gardensCons of container gardens
Great for small spacesMore watering needed
AffordableDifficult to grow bigger varieties

Shop My Favorite Containers


In-ground Gardens

In-ground gardens work well when you want to save on soil and stay within a budget.

If your ground is covered in grass, you can lay unwaxed cardboard, weed barrier, or newspaper on top, followed by 2-4 inches of compost.

You can then create a border using wood planks (preferably cypress, redwood, or cedar). Avoid using pressure-treated wood, as there’s debate about preservatives potentially leaching into the soil.

Once covered, the grass will die and you’ll have a plot ready to till in about 1-2 months. If your soil is compacted or lacks nutrients, you can “amend” it with a combination of organic matter such as compost, peat moss, or composted manure.

Pros of in-ground gardensCons of in-ground gardens
More affordableMore weeding
Less watering required Ergonomically challenging
Easier to grow large areaHarder to protect from some pests

Raised Garden Beds

Having a raised garden bed requires a little more prep work and expense. If done right, however, you can create a “beginner garden” to last you through your expert years.

Raised beds warm quickly in the season, so you can plant earlier in the spring. The elevation off the ground also makes for easier weeding, planting and tilling.

Since you need to fill it with fresh garden soil and fertilizer, you can get the perfect nutrients for your vegetables and reduce the risk of pests.

I chose to create a series of raised bed gardens out of cedar because I think they’re beautiful and we have space for it. Plus, I wanted a fixed location where I could have my beds ready for every season.

Pros of raised gardensCons of raised gardens
Better soil qualityMore soil required
Drain well, warm quicklyMore watering required
Visually pleasingHigher upfront costs to build

Shop My Favorite Raised Garden Beds

Picking the Right Location for a Vegetable Garden

Sun and wind exposure

When choosing the perfect spot for your beginner vegetable garden, you must prioritize sun exposure. Most vegetables will need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight.

In terms of direction, South-facing gardens tend to get the most sunlight in the Northern hemisphere. Ideally, you’ll place your garden with rows pointing north and south if you have a mix of plant heights. Make sure taller veggies don’t cast shade on the shorter ones in this orientation.

If you’re planting similar varieties, you may choose to organize east and west to provide equal sun exposure.

You’ll also want to avoid areas with high winds that might uproot or disturb your vegetables.

Irrigation

You should choose a spot that drains well since soggy soil can lead to root rot. Not a good thing! On the flip side, you’ll need to have a garden hose nearby or make plans to have a routine watering system.

Raised bed garden prepared to plant fall vegetables in Houston, Texas
Our first raised bed vegetable garden installed near outdoor water spigot

Many expert gardeners favor drip irrigation which waters plants on the soil in a controlled manner.

Be careful if watering overhead since some vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, squashes) need dry leaves to prevent bacterial and fungal infections.

Garden design

As I suggested earlier, don’t plant more than you can handle as a beginner gardener. When choosing the size of your garden plot size, think about how many varieties of vegetables you hope to grow. Keep it simple until you gain confidence.

Tomato seedlings planted in raised bed garden
Row of tomato plants in 3×8-foot raised bed garden

I suggest starting with just 3-5 different vegetables if using containers or 6-8 vegetable varieties for in-ground or raised beds (perhaps 50-100 square feet). The space allocation depends on the full-grown size of your veggies.

My own raised garden beds this year will give me 90 square feet of space to use. I’ll stagger the planting dates (succession planting) and leave some space open depending on the season.

Choosing Your Vegetables

Here’s the fun part! Chances are you already have some favorite veggies in mind if you’re reading this post. The hard part is figuring out what you can plant and when.

Beefsteak tomato plant information card

My kids think you can bury the pit of a store-bought fruit and grow a tree outside, but there’s a bit more science involved.

Here’s my 5-part guide for deciding which veggies to plant:

  1. Know your hardiness zone. Better yet, use a planting calendar or an agricultural extension service to find out the optimal time to plant seeds or seedlings.
  2. Start with easy vegetables. Pick ones that will grow well as companion plants (see chart below).
  3. Plan enough space for larger vegetables. Some vegetables have vines and need a support cage or trellis (e.g., cucumbers, tomatoes, pole beans).
  4. Plan which vegetables can be grown from seeds (indoors vs. outdoors) vs. transplanted as seedlings. Again, a planting calendar will guide you.
  5. Decide on perennials, annuals, or both. You can rotate the crops each season (annuals) or include a few perennial vegetables that will grow back each season.
VegetableMature size (height)Companion plants
Beans, bush24″ – 30″Beets, carrots, chard, cabbage, corn, cucumbers, peas, radishes
Lettuce6″ – 12″Carrots, onions, peas, peppers, tomatoes
Cucumbers1′ – 5′Beans, broccoli, corn, dill, lettuce, onion, peas, radish, and tomatoes
Carrots6″ – 15″Beans, lettuce, onions, peas, peppers, tomatoes
Tomatoes2′ – 8′Asparagus, carrots, celery, onions, parsley, peppers
Spinach6″ – 15″Broccoli, lettuce, peas, radish
Summer squash12″ – 24″Beans, corn, dill, marigolds, nasturtiums, peas, radishes
Peppers12″ – 48″Tomatoes, asparagus, basil, carrots, cucumbers, squash
Sources: Raised Beds: Soil Depth Requirements; Companion Planting Chart Guide

Organizing and Arranging Your Vegetables

As explained in the chart above, plants will happily co-exist with some vegetables but not others. You can research companion plants before finalizing your garden plans.

Tomato plant and pepper plant together in raised bed garden
Tomatoes and peppers are “companion plants” that can thrive together

Where to place plants in a garden

  • Taller vegetables need to be planted in the “back” to prevent them from blocking the sun for shorter plants.
  • Plants that have vines or need extra support (e.g., cucumbers, tomatoes, pole beans) will require more space to accommodate trellises or cages.

Amending your soil each season

Since plants of the same families will deplete the same nutrients from the soil, you’ll want to rotate your crops each season or rebalance the soil with the proper nutrients.

You can buy a soil test kit if you need help figuring out adjustments to make after your first season of gardening.

Where to Buy Seeds or Seedlings

Once you know which vegetables you want to plant, it’s time to make your purchase!

I generally suggest visiting a local nursery to get extra guidance as a newbie gardener. However, a local home improvement store like Home Depot or Lowe’s will have plenty of seasonal variety. Just remember to have your vision in mind of when you’re going to plant and where.

Related post: 9 Tree Maintenance Tips You Need to Know

Shop My Favorite Gardening Supplies

Vegetable gardening for beginners doesn’t require a ton of investment, but these basic tools will help you on your way.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me in the comments below!

Happy Gardening!

First Day of Home signature
Continue to Content

More Home & Garden Ideas

9 Tree Maintenance Tips You Need To Know

Get all the tips you need to properly maintain trees and hire the right company to trim them.

How to Paint Terracotta Pots Like a Pro

Learn how to paint terracotta pots to last outdoors and look beautiful, too!

Part 2: How to Decoupage Flower Pots with Napkins

Decorate your flower pots with this lovely decoupage technique that will coordinate with any patio decor.

5 Delightful Ideas for Patio Decor You Will Love

Get decorating tips to have your outdoor patio looking gorgeous throughout the year.


Please support this site by sharing!
  • 66
    Shares
  • 66
    Shares

First published: August 20, 2020

Previous Post: « How to Dry Flowers 5 Different Ways: The Ultimate Guide
Next Post: A Simple and Affordable DIY Fall Centerpiece »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Julie Briones says

    September 8, 2020 at 11:27 am

    THIS is a complete guide to beginning gardening… and more! Great guide to help those of us who have little or no idea how to create vegatble garden from beginning to end! Pinned! GREAT INFO, Crissy!

    Reply
    • Crissy says

      September 9, 2020 at 5:59 pm

      Thank you, Julie! I’ve been really enjoying this gardening journey. There is always something new to learn, so I hope I can help others along the way!

      Reply
  2. Kippi says

    August 20, 2020 at 1:01 pm

    Great ideas for a garden. I am going to give it a try wish me luck.
    Hugs,
    Kippi

    Reply
    • Crissy says

      August 20, 2020 at 1:53 pm

      Thanks for the kind words, Kippi! I know your garden will be lovely too! Hugs, Crissy

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Meet crissy

Welcome to my blog! I'm so glad you're here. Crafting, decorating and DIY projects are my jam, and I love collecting new hobbies like nobody's business. If this sounds like you, pour yourself some coffee...you've come to the right place! Read More…

let’s connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Trending Posts

Three decoupage Easter eggs sitting on books

DIY Decoupage Easter Eggs

Easter table decor with spring garland, bunny statues and bunny place settings

Easter Table Decor

Wooden bunny on stand in front of floral garland Easter table

DIY Wooden Bunny

Categories

Looking for something?

Feminine WordPress Themes using the Genesis Framework by Restored 316

Copyright Notice

We love it when you pin content from this site or share it on social media! However, please be aware that all images and text are the property of firstdayofhome.com and may not be reproduced, edited or altered without express permission. If you would like to feature our content, please contact us here.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Email

Footer

More about Crissy

Welcome to my blog! I'm so glad you're here. Crafting, decorating and DIY projects are my jam, and I love collecting new hobbies like nobody's business. Read More…

Let’s Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Looking for something?

First Day of Home participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. See disclosures for details.

Copyright © 2021 · Market Theme · Disclosure

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. By continuing to use this site, we'll assume you consent.Accept
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

SAVE & ACCEPT