Learn how to start a new garden in 10 simple steps this spring. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through every part of the process so you can successfully grow your own vegetables.
Gardening is one of the best hobbies you can bring into your life. Thanks to your soon-to-be homegrown vegetables, you’ll get great exercise, eat healthier, and become a little more self-sufficient.
(You can read about more benefits to growing your own vegetables here.)
If you’re new to the gardening world, learning all of the information you need about gardening to grow food can feel overwhelming. The 10 steps outlined in this post will help you know what to do (and when to do it!) as you go through the process.
Let’s get started!
1. Find the Best Location
Location, location, location. Gardens grown specifically for food production need at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Since plants need light for photosynthesis, your vegetable garden’s location is vital to your success.
You don’t have to own a lot of land to plant a garden, though. Use this sun mapping exercise to observe the shadows on your patio, balcony, or from a southern facing window indoors. Check out this post to get started!
2. Check Your Soil Health
It’s time to take a closer look at your soil. (Fun fact: Did you know there are over 70,000 types of soil in the United States alone?) Is yours sandy or silty? Is it mostly clay? You may need to build it up to give your plants the best chance to thrive. Check out this post and then head outside and make some observations.
3. Make a Design Plan
New and experienced gardeners can easily become overwhelmed by the endless possibilities of garden designs. Do you want raised beds? Maybe you should use containers? What about adding trellises? Oof!
Head on over to this post and let me walk you through 5 simple steps to find amazing design inspiration for your new vegetable garden. Don’t forget to download your free graph paper from the shop!
4. Find Out The Best Time to Plant Your New Garden
In order to find out the best time to plant your garden, you have to know more about your growing zone. Growing zones (also called plant hardiness zones) were determined so gardeners and growers can have better success with plants surviving their area’s average lowest temperatures. This information is important for annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs.
5. Decide What to Plant
Scrolling the websites of seed companies…
Paging through seed catalogs that showed up in the mail…
How does one choose?! The three simple steps outlined in this post will help you zero in on what you should plant in your garden this year. Use our free plant guide from the shop to keep track of your wish list!
6. Make Plans for Companion Plants
Using companion plants in the garden is a great way to help your plants flourish throughout the growing season. Learn more about these plants, the benefits they provide, and how to use them to your advantage in your home garden.
7. Prepare Your New Gardening Space
Find the best location, check.
Figured out the quality of your soil, check.
Designed your new garden, found out the best time to plant it, and made your plant wish list? Check, check, check.
Using all of the information you’ve gathered so far, now is the time to prepare your new garden space. Add your soil amendments, set up fencing (if necessary), build your raised beds, and purchase stakes or trellises. If your space is currently covered in grass, check out this post to learn how to remove it without digging.
8. Order Seeds or Purchase Seedlings
Check out your list of things to plant from Step 5. It’s time to start gathering your seeds or starter plants. If you have a garden center that is local to you, visit them in person to buy your seeds and seedlings. Not only are you supporting a local business, seedlings from the garden center should be fit for your growing zone.
Depending on what you’d like to grow, you might need to purchase your seeds and seedlings online from a reputable garden retailer. Gurney’s Seed & Nursery Co., Johnny’s Seeds, and Burpee are just a few of my favorites.
9. Harden Off Seedlings
Before you plant, you need to acclimate your young plants to outdoor conditions. It will take about one week to harden off the plants.
- 2-3 days: Move your plants outside to a sheltered location during the day, but bring them back inside at night.
- 2-3 days: Keep the plants outside in your sheltered location both day and night.
- 1-2 days: Transfer them to the garden (still in the containers). After this transition time, your future veggies will be ready to plant.
10. Plant Your New Garden
It’s finally time for the fun part (who am I kidding, the whole process is fun!) Following the instructions on your seed packets or plant tags from the nursery, get out there and plant your brand new garden. Use extra care when planting your seedlings and don’t forget to water your garden after sowing.
When you take the first steps to growing your own food (and accidentally growing more than enough to share with extended family and friends,) you are taking your food security into your own hands. I hope you find the whole process from seed to table as fulfilling as I do. Enjoy it and let me know how it goes on social media or in the comments below!
Looking for Tips on How to Get the Whole Family Involved?
Growing Together: Vegetable Gardening Guide for Young Families
Get ready to step outside with your children to create something beautiful! This comprehensive beginner’s guide will help you get your garden off to a great start.
