#14. Gardening Plans for Growing Your Vegetables
Planning is the most important factor on which the final outcome and success of a vegetable garden depends. In this article the planning, positioning and layout of a vegetable garden is discussed.
Anyone planning to grow their own vegetables will need to first plan the layout of the garden. The following are some of the factors to be considered.
Location of the garden
Start by selecting the ideal location for your garden. The plot you select will require plenty of early morning sunshine, as well as sunshine for most of the day. Vegetables thrive on sunshine, so finding the best location for the vegetable plot is essential.
It may be a good idea to check local weather guides to help select a plot. This will help you plan to protect the garden from westerly and easterly wind directions.
The garden will need to be close enough to a water source. It is preferable that it is also close to the house. This makes it easier to access every time you need to collect some vegetables.
Your vegetable garden can be located in the backyard, on a porch, deck, balcony, patio, roof-top, counter-top, windowsill or even in the border of an existing flower bed. It will really depend on how much space you have available for setting up the garden. Just make sure it's a sunny spot – the garden will require at least six hours of sunlight daily.
Types of vegetable garden plan options
There are a few types of vegetable garden plans that you can select from. The garden type and plan you choose should match factors like space, water, ease of access and other needs.
• Backyard garden
• Raised bed garden
• Square foot garden
• Vertical or potted garden
• Container garden
• Indoor garden
Soil
Soil is an extremely important factor to be considered for a vegetable garden.
A traditional garden in the ground will require effort on your part to bring the soil pH balance (acidity) to a healthy level for growing vegetables. You may need to add mulch, compost, sand and other additives to get a fertile soil.
Container garden soil needs to be replaced at least once a year to replenish plant nourishments and to eliminate pests.
Discuss fertile soil requirements for the plants with your local garden store.
Seeds or transplants
You will need to decide whether you want to start from scratch with vegetable seeds or transplants. Some vegetables like onions and lettuces are easy to grow from seeds.