How to Create an Edible Garden: 6 Tips to Get You Started
If you’re here, then you’ve probably wondered about starting your own homegrown edible garden. Turning your lawn into a lush food-producing garden may be challenging at first, but the results are very rewarding.
Have you ever dreamed of grabbing a pair of scissors to cut some fresh basil or chives from your garden and onto your plate? We’re here to tell you that anyone, including you, can grow food in your garden. Here are some tips to help you get started:
1. Plan Your Garden
Before you start, you should take the time to understand your available space for a garden. Determine the best angles of the light source, what food you want to grow, and how much time you want to spend each week on your gardening. It’s best to have all these details straightened out before you start.
2. Start Small
Having a big backyard doesn’t mean you should turn all of the space into a homegrown garden. Not at first, at least. It’s better to start small, just one raised bed at a time and see how things go. You’d be surprised at how much food a tiny space can grow, and how much work actually goes into growing vegetables. If you want to expand your garden, you can add another bed after several months.
3. Get Good Soil
Soil is one of the most important factors of a healthy garden. So instead of buying the cheapest bags of soil from the hardware store, it’s better to do research on how to find compost-rich organic soil for your garden. You may buy from a reputable supplier or create your own! Either way, your plants will thank you for doing it.
4. Find an Alternative Space If You Don’t Have a Backyard
A big backyard isn’t necessary for growing food. If you don’t have one, you can always look for alternatives like a patio or a deck. These may even be more advantageous than traditional beds since they often receive plenty of light. You may also create a front yard vegetable garden, which is an excellent way of bringing the neighborhood together.
5. Welcome the Birds and Bees
Bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies pollinate plants and are your allies in a successful garden. All of these offer a vital service to your plants by helping them set fruit, especially your cucumbers and apples. These pollinator animals will keep your plants growing healthy and plenty until ready for harvest. You can welcome these pollinators by planting attractive flowers and including sources of water and shelter.
6. Invest in Basic Garden Tools
Vegetable gardens don’t necessarily need many tools, but it wouldn’t hurt to invest in quality and durable garden tools. You can begin with simple tools like a trowel, weeder, and other essential tools and build your collection from there. You’ll often find that the best garden tool you can have is your hands.
Conclusion
Growing your own homegrown edible garden may be challenging initially, especially when it’s your first time. You need to remember that the first time is always an experiment, so you shouldn’t feel bad if your starter garden doesn’t turn into what you expected. Successful gardeners spend years learning from mistakes and mastering their own techniques.
If you’re looking for tips on how to create an edible garden and growing your own food, you’ve come to the right place. Blossom and Broom is a gardening blog helping all green thumbs and garden enthusiasts source for the tips and tricks that go into edible gardening. Our blog consists of articles on permaculture, organic gardening, sustainable lifestyle, home decor, and more.
