Growing My Own: How Can I Start a Home Garden?

Do you get overwhelmed by the huge variety of trees, shrubs and plant options available for your home’s landscaping? And even more confusing… the mystery of where to plant all of them. Well, let’s take it one step further and talk about gardening at home. Growing your own fruits and vegetables.

If you’re eco-friendly (as you should be), you’ve probably heard that from farm to plate, food typically travels 1,500 miles. You’re probably also aware that sustainable landscaping and gardening both have more than just environmental benefits. Growing your own food at home is a unique opportunity to teach your children valuable lessons about life, nature and patience, it’s fun, saves on the grocery bill and the gardening gets you moving outdoors.

From berries to zucchini, home gardening is so much more rewarding and tastes far better than supermarket produce. But it is a process, so take it one step at a time with these quick tips and build on your successes for next season.

Enrich the Soil

Increase the amount of organic matter in your soil by adding compost and using plant-based mulch (such as shredded leaves, bark and straw). Organic matter increases soil’s ability to hold moisture and drain efficiently which feeds the beneficial soil organisms and adds to the plant nutrition.

Size Matters

One of the most important things to remember is to give plants room to grow. If plants aren’t allowed ample space, you’ll find yourself in a constant battle always cutting them back. Some plants will suffer and may never thrive under these conditions.

Observe your natural environment, plan ahead and map out your garden design on graph paper, laying out rows so you know how many plants will fit. The more color and variety, the more likely you’ll strike up an ecological balance with birds and beneficial insects, helping you keep pests in check.

Find the Right Spot

If your plant is struggling to survive, it will attract disease and harmful insects which can affect the other plants. Put your plants in the right place with enough (but not too much) soil, sun and moisture to keep them healthy and thriving.

Also use companion planting, a strategy of planting different species with each other which allows them to grow better. For example, a deep-rooted plant brings nutrients closer to the soil surface where shallow-rooted plants can reach them easier.

Shop for Plants

When you head to the nursery, pick wisely. Check the crown of the plant (where the stem enters soil); there shouldn’t be any circling roots which can choke one another as the plant grows. Your plant shouldn’t have any broken, crossing or rubbing branches; look for symmetry. Watch for abnormal coloration that could indicate nutrient deficiencies, diseases or pests.

Choose a plant that has an abundance of growth buds and a vigor that will add some life to your home garden (and dinner plate).

Encourage the Good Guys

Weeds, pests and disease can pose a challenge for gardeners. The average square yard of a garden contains over a thousand insects. But the good news is that most of these bugs are good for your garden, some pollinate plants, some help break down organic matter and some prey on the other, more damaging pests.

Practice good outdoor housekeeping by cleaning up debris and avoid using broad-spectrum insecticides, which can kill a wide range of insects, including the good guys.

Get Creative

Even if you have nothing more than a large patio planter, you can grow your own fruits and vegetables right from home.

Now the only thing you need to do is decide what to cook with all your home-grown veggies!