Basic Pointers to Grow Backyard Garden

Growing vegetables can take some hard work but it is a lot of fun and is very rewarding. When that plant finally yields its produce and you are able to go out and pick your cucumber and tomatoes and lettuce and make your own salad it is very satisfying indeed. And in today’s climate of having little to no money for groceries, especially the more expensive fresh rather than canned foods, growing a vegetable garden is cost effective too. You do not have to be an expert gardener to grow vegetables but there are some basic pointers to grow backyard garden that can help get you going.

Outdoor or Containers

You have two ways of growing your vegetables either outdoors or in containers. Whichever you opt for both need to be located where there is lots of sun. Therefore of outdoors you have a lot of trees putting your garden into shade then you need to do some trimming. If you choose containers then if they are not too big you can choose to move them around to where the sun is during the day.

Basic Pointers to Grow Backyard Garden in Containers

Container gardening suits people if they do not have much garden space. Most vegetables can be grown in containers, peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, and squash and so on but they will need containers that are at least one gallon in size – some need a lot more. Simply fill them with a compost and then plant the seeds of your choice. Have them in a warm place and then you can transplant them when it is time or buy starter plants. Make sure you put holes in the bottom of the containers and have them sitting on bricks or something similar for draining.

Basic Pointers to Grow Backyard Garden Outdoors

When choosing where to put your outdoors vegetable garden remember the key thing is somewhere that gets the sun. Work out how much square footage you are giving up to it so that you know how much fertilizer to buy and how many plants you can have. Once you have properly prepared the soil by weeding, tilling, fertilizing and watering you can plant either seeds or starter plants. Allow the vegetables room to grow so avoid overcrowding. From seeds germination varies based on what vegetable it is but can be a week up to six weeks. Keep the soil moist but do not over water so that it looks like a puddle.

Remember nature has its own watering system called rain – if it rains you do not need to water. This is true whether they are in a container outside or in the garden. Use a gentle spray when you do have to water them and if there is no sprinkler ban set it in the garden to water for a couple of hours. You will also need to weed when necessary and consider having a fence around your backyard garden if you do not already to keep out critters that will eat or ruin your hard work!

Soo crowded for space so you can’t grow backyard garden go vertical instead learn how to grow vertical vegetable garden

Well you are on the right track considering that these guides will provide you with all the necessary details on how to go about it? If you have a limited room, the growing vertical vegetable garden system will be considered the best idea for you. You can build a nice small garden where you can plant your choice of vegetables. Let’s see how you can grow vertical vegetable garden.

The starting point to grow backyard garden vertically is to prepare the soil. How? Use organic compost, this will provide your vegetables with very vital nutrients which will help them to climb vertically thus creating healthy foliage as well as high yields of vegetables. Here you should ensure proper drainage of you urban garden to prevent it from becoming water logged.

The second step is to build a framework in your vertical to support your vegetables and containers. You can make it simple by just constructing wooden posts at the two sides your vertical garden, then join them using a cross bar basically at the top this will allow you to run string up and down for ascending vegetables to climb.

Select the type of vegetable that you want to grow but it is mostly preferred that you should select natural climbers such as cucumber, small squash etc.

Add fertilizer to your vertical vegetable garden and remember to water the vegetables often to provide them with adequate moisture. You can as well add organic manure, however bear in mind to check your garden from time to time in case the are attacked by insects and pests Therefore spraying them with the suitable organic insecticide.

You can as well grow vertical vegetable garden by use of pots, use of hanging stands or else using cross-bars that you have already build on your vertical garden. If your vertical vegetable garden lacks adequate room, you can hang containers stuffed with annual bouquet of flowers in order to attract insects such as bees which will help in pollination.

For more Vertical Garden information go to

Vertical Vegetable Garden.com

Grow Backyard Garden – An Herb Garden

Herb gardens are often structured formally and symmetrically. If you are looking at grow backyard garden plans and are considering having an herb garden do not be afraid of pictures you have probably come across. Herbs are easy to grow; many need minimal maintenance unless you really want the perfect and precise lines of a formal herb garden. Remember the point of an herb garden is not to have you rushing out with a pair of scissors to cut down something that has become wayward, but for you to have fresh herbs to cook with. You can go with a geometric shape, divide it into sections for each type of herb you want and grow them, without worrying about the formal look.

Reasons for growing an herb garden

Most often people that decide to grow an herb garden as part of their backyard garden plans do so to use fresh herbs in cooking. But you can also use herbs to make dyes, creams, and potpourri. There are many to choose from with varying tastes, and medicinal properties and smells. You do not have to have a separate herb garden though to grow herbs. You can grow them with your flowers or your vegetables if space is an issue. Some combinations of herbs and vegetables grow very well together in fact. It is also interesting and useful to know that some herbs like sage or lavender, discourage animals like rabbits or deer from coming to feast in your garden. However if you are going to be using them a lot, having then separate and close to the kitchen makes harvesting them a lot easier – need some chives for your sauce just pop out with a pair of scissors. An herb garden rather than herb pots will give you an amount that you can use regularly too, whereas if you have some pots on the window sill, this will only be enough for occasional use.

There are so many different herbs that to give some set rules on how to grow them would not be accurate for all of them. When you are deciding what ones to grow look at their individual needs and try to have herbs that suit you. Do not plant basil if you do not like it, and plant what you can look after. There are some that prefer shaded areas, some that prefer direct sunlight, some are annual, some needs lots of watering and care, some do not. As a rough guide here are some tips on growing an herb garden.

 Sunlight is needed.

Trim and harvesting regularly to have full and stronger herbs.
Good drainage to prevent rot.
Do not over fertilize them or grow in soil that is too rich, though that does not mean they do not need any nutrients at all.
Do not plant too closely or overcrowd an area.
If you go with the structured garden such as the four square herb garden or knot garden it requires a lot of maintenance.
If you have the room, grow more than you can use and cut and dry for use in the winter.
Have paths of brick or stone in a formal herb garden. Some gardeners use themes such as color, scent or growing variations of the same herb.
Herbs attract beneficial insects to your garden so you may want to plant some amongst the test of the garden as well or instead of making an herb garden separately.

There are many different home garden plans online that you can look at, some are free and some you have to pay for. But the internet is not the only source of home garden plans that is available to you, there are many gardening magazines and books that you draw from too. There are also a lot of different types of gardens you might choose from, organic, water, rock, full sun, shade, flower and of course vegetable to name but a few. This article will be useful for people looking at home garden plans for a vegetable garden layout. Specifically it offers you planting options for a vegetable garden for Autumn and Winter harvest.

Making the beds

First of all you need to make sure the area you are planting gets at least six hours a day; even though it is a vegetable garden for Autumn and Winter plants still need sunlight. Make sure you can get water to the area or put in a watering system. If possible plant close to the kitchen which is where you will be putting the vegetables to use after all. These home garden plans for a vegetable garden for Autumn and Winter presume you have an area available of 10 meters by 4 meters though you can adjust this to suit what you have. Make 4 long beds measuring 10 meters in length and 1 meter in width and have pathways between each bed that are 60cm wide. You need the pathways so that you can reach the whole of the beds for weeding, harvesting and general care.

Preparing the beds for planting

Dig the soil to loosen it, remove stones, weeds and break up large pieces. You want a soil that is moist, but not sticky or wet, loose and fine is what you want to plant in. Add some compost to the soil and if you have an acidic soil then also add some lime. Mulching the beds is a very good idea. An organic mulch of grass cuttings or bark will keep the soil cool and moist, it will help keep it full of nutrients and worms will love it too. Below is specific planning on what to plant in which bed and when. If you wish to make changes then plant what you prefer but try to go for plants that are high yielding and crop over a long period of time; and make the most of the space you have by using trellises on fences or walls to grow vegetables that climb like beans and tomatoes.

Bed One     In the first third plant 100 climbing peas  which will be ready in 40 to 70 days and giving you 13kg of peas.     In the next third plant 50 broad bean plants that will be ready for harvest in 60 to 120 days giving you 18kg of broad beans.     In the final third plant 25 broccoli which will be ready to harvest in 80 to 100 days giving you 6kg of broccoli.
Bed Two     In the first third plant 100 onions which harvest in 100 to 120 days giving you 11kg of onions.     In the second third plant 33 lettuce plants ready in 50 to 80 days giving you 15kg of lettuce.     In the final third plant 66 parsnip plants ready in 50 to 80 days giving you 14kg of parsnips.
Bed Three     In the first third plant 33 cabbage plants ready in 100 to 160 days giving you 52kg of cabbage.     In the second third plant 50 more broad bean plants ready in 60 to 120 days giving you 18kg of broad beans.     In the final third plant 100 more climbing peas ready in 40 to 70 days giving you 13kg of peas.
Bed Four     Half the bed can be strawberries.     Half the bed can be cane berries.     These are permanent plantings not a bed to crop rotate.

Crop Rotation

Beds one, two and three will need to have crops rotated to keep the soil rich. After winter harvest tidy up ready for early spring preparation. Then come early spring replenish the soil in each bed using lime, compost and manure. Make sure you have a different set of crops to plant in spring for a spring / summer harvest, as well as being good for the soil it helps control the weeds, pests and disease.

Having a backyard garden for vegetables means that for up to 8 months a year you can have  fresh produce, home grown for your family table each day.

This saves money from your grocery bill and provides a chance for the family to work together, teaching your children  about where food comes from and about nature. You are also aiding the environment by withdrawing your demand for produce at grocery stores, creating healthy and balanced meals, and the exercise involved in maintaining and growing a successful garden will help towards keeping you fit. When looking at how to grow backyard garden for vegetables you need to do some planning first, decide to go organic for your health and your garden’s health, as well as looking at location, soil, crop rotation, rows or raised beds and more.

Size and location

Size depends on the space you have, whether you want to give up the whole garden or  have a vegetable patch. Remember the bigger you make it the more work it will be – and there is only so much vegetables you can eat. Do not grow so much that you waste it, unless you are able to sell your extra produce. If done well a garden that is just 100 sq ft can give you enough vegetables for a family.

You also need to think about where the sun hits the garden for most of the day. You want the vegetables to get at least 5 to 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. Check that trees, buildings, fences, shrubs and so on do not overshadow the vegetable area and cast it in shade. The roots of trees can also be a problem, so do not plant too close. You should have at least 10ft between your vegetable patch and the drip line of any tree. If you cannot have that much distance make a barrier between the roots and vegetables, dig a narrow trench deeper than  the roots are and then put in a heavy material which the roots cannot get through.

Think about any future plans you have, if you are going to put in more trees where will they go. If you live in a windy climate or get string wind in the year try to garden where a shed or fence offers some protection. If you have sloped land terrace the beds, and make sure you have a spare bed that is not planted in the first time, so that next year you can do some crop rotation which keeps the soil healthy.

Planning the beds

You need to think about how many beds you want to plant. Keep in mind that some plants grow better when combined so you may want to grow in multiple beds so that you can rotate the vegetables around. Are you having raised beds or rows which will need pathways that are at least 21 inches wide between them. Width of the beds should be less than 4ft so that you can weed and look after the vegetables more easily. If you live in a climate that is colder raised beds get warmer quicker and have better drainage, and less weeds and pest problems. Whereas in a climate that is hot, ground beds are more suitable because they need less watering. Ground beds are also cheaper but you do have to bend further down and weeds from the pathway can get to the bed. Or there are sunken raised beds, which is a way to use the soil in your garden but you get the benefit of less weeds and bugs, but not the drainage or warmth

The Soil

As you are learning how to start a backyard garden for vegetables you will learn that soil is vital. Soil needs to have the right nutrients in it for the vegetables to grow well, the first year of a garden that has not been gardened before will do well because those nutrients were not used before but after that you need to take care of the soil as well as the plants. There are soil test kits to find out the pH of it and then if you have an acidic soil add lime and if you have an alkaline soil use sulfur and a mulch that uses acidic materials like pine needles.

For new beds the soil should be dug down to 12 to 18 inches, turn it using a pitchfork and take out weeds, rocks and roots. Before you plant check how moist the soil is, there shouldn’t be clumping it should be crumbly, and if it is needed put in drainage. Enrich the soil with organic matter by digging or hoeing it in to the top 6 inch layer of soil. Organic matter include compost from your own compost bin, manure from horse or cows, green manure from plants, sea soil, or you can buy various products from a garden center. Then level and rake it. To help stop weeds from the paths getting to the beds cover them with landscape cloth and then bark mulch.

If you have a garden that requires small garden planning this article has some advice for you as well as some design ideas. Just because your garden is small does not mean you cannot have vegetables, flowers, herbs or whatever you want to grow. It means you have to be more creative with how you design and plant, but you can have a garden you are proud of and enjoy working in and relaxing in.

There is a Vertical Vegetable Garden system you should look into at Vertical Vegetable Garden.com

Evaluate what you have

Assess what you have so that you can better decide what you can do. Here are some questions you should ask;

How many hours of direct sun does the garden get? This will help you with whether to buy plants that need at least 6 hour of sunlight or whether you have partial shade or full shade and therefore need plants that require less.
What is the garden exposed to? Will it get a lot of wind, foot traffic, wildlife or pets?
What type of soil do you have to work with and what is its pH?
How will you water it?
Are there trees that will compete for water and nutrients?
What style of house do you have?

By doing this assessment you can make sure you buy what will work rather than plants you see and like, but that will not thrive in the conditions you have. Also avoid plants that tend to spread and take up room you do not have to be wasted. Think about what your main wishes are – in a small garden you cannot have everything so what exactly is it you want? Use light colors and reflective decoration to increase the feeling of space.

Small garden planning – Design One

As you can see this small garden uses three circles placed diagonally to each other to make the space feel larger. The larger circle is a lawn where children can play and the smaller circles are paved where adults can sit. At the back is a play area tucked away for the children. Plants depend on your preference and how much work you are willing to put into it, though the lawn will need mowing once a week. Keep the plants low and use white paint on fencing or walls to help give the feeling of more space. Also instead of a large shed you have no room for get a low storage box.

Small garden planning – Design Two

This design creates a garden that is about getting away and having somewhere to sit and relax in. Fix trellises to walls and fences to grow climbing plants so that neighbors cannot see in. The S shaped path is wide and can be stone or cobble or if you are working on a budget use gravel, and you can use tall ferns and palms to hide the shed. It is a low maintenance garden, especially if you choose plants that require little care. Just prune the climbing plants now and then. The water feature adds to the relaxing feeling of the garden.

Small garden planning – Design Three

This garden is two levels with steps connecting the two areas and split level pools either side of the steps. The bordering plants are raised flower beds with benches at the back and a table and chair patio area on the lower level. The plus side of raised beds is they are easier on the back to maintain but they are more expensive, so if budget is a factor stick to ground level planting. Some kind of focal point on the top level such as an urn, statue or potted plant will draw the eye and help make the garden seem bigger. If you need storage have benches with lids. You can also easily make this more suitable if you have children by making the lower level decking rather than tiles and then put in a hidden sandpit under part of it.

To learn more about small gardens for the Urban Gardener click the link below:

Although the idea of having fresh home grown vegetables is extremely appealing to most people not everyone follows through and makes their own vegetable garden, because it does involve hard work and dedication. But if you are one of those who have decided to plan your own vegetable garden this article has some vegetable garden planning tips that will help you get started. You will find you need to think about the type of soil you have, what vegetables you can grow, where should it be positioned and planting.

Vegetable Garden Planning Tips – Location and the Soil

You should choose somewhere that gets a lot of direct sunlight and has good drainage. Ideally when growing vegetables you want soil that is fertile with texture and moistness. You can improve what you have already by adding organic humus. Create a compost in your garden that you can use to mix with your soil by digging a hole and then filling it with food leftovers, cuts and peels of vegetables not used, any rotting fruit and so on. All the degradable waste you and your family create can go on it and add some soil over it then leave for a few days. This can then by shoveled onto your vegetable garden. There are also various products that are organic that can be purchased.

Vegetable Garden Planning Tips – Planting

Once the soil is ready you can decide how you are going to organize the planting – in rows or on raised beds. Try to involve the whole family and remember you need small paths in between the different types you plant, to weed and harvest. Don’t overcrowd an area, plants do better when they have room to grow. Also think about companion planting. Some plants do better when planted together, and some do worse. Here is a guide to a few of the common vegetables people like to grow and what they grow well with.

Tomato – Very popular amongst vegetable gardeners, great for salads, sauces, soups and much more. If you are planting tomatoes consider planting them with carrots, broccoli, asparagus, parsley, celery, brussel sprouts, chives or kale. Do not grow them with cabbage, kohlrabi or potatoes.
Lettuce – Great for salads or sandwiches or wraps and grows well with most vegetables though does its best with radish, carrots, onion, strawberries and cucumbers.

Peas – Are great with any meal, and fresh peas taste far better than canned or frozen. Grow them with turnips, beans, carrots, corn or cucumbers but not with potatoes, onions, garlic or chives.

Brassicas (Cabbage Family) – The cabbage family includes the vegetables broccoli, kale, cabbage, kohlrabi and cauliflower. Plant with lettuce, celery, onions, beets, cucumber, tomato, rosemary, sage but avoid planting with strawberries or pole beans.
Celery – Versatile for salads, stews, soups, sauces and more the celery grows with most other plants well, but in particular with the tomato, bush beans, onion, or cabbage family.
Onion and Garlic – Essential cooking ingredients in many households these should be planted with carrots, beets, parsley or lettuce but not with peas or beans.
Bush Beans – These beans needs to be planted with corn, cucumber, strawberries, celery or potatoes and not with onions.
Corn – Amazing how much better corn tastes fresh compared to can or frozen. If you want to grow this think about growing it with cucumber, potatoes, peas, beans, or pumpkin but keep away from the tomato plants.
Asparagus – One of the more easy going plants that gets along with everyone! Yields its best though with parsley, tomato or basil.
Potatoes – Could be the most eaten vegetable, chipped, roasted, mashed, fried, we love the potato! To get the best harvest grow them with cabbage, corn, beans, eggplant and not with pumpkin ( or any other squash for that matter) tomato or cucumber.
Cucumber – Great in your salads, sandwiches, dips and so on, cucumbers do better with radish, beans, peas and corn but should not be grown with any aromatic herb or potatoes.

Recent reports from the World Health Organization have demonstrated that obesity is becoming a serious problem in many parts of the globe. Along with the increase in the number of people who are over-eating or not eating healthy foods, there has been an uptick in the number of men and women who have taken a keener interest in “watching what they eat,” in developing a more healthy diet. One step that a significant number of people from around the world have taken in regard to ensuring a more healthy diet is to grow backyard garden of fruits and vegetables.

The keys to healthy living growing their own fruits and vegetables.

If you are a person interested in developing a healthy eating regimen, you will want to take a close look at the benefits of growing your own fruits and vegetables. In point of fact, there are many significant health benefits to be derived from grow backyard garden for your own fruits and vegetables

At the outset, it is important to note that the process of planting and cultivating your own backyard garden fruits and vegetables can have significant health benefits in and of itself. Too few people get enough proper exercise on a regular basis. The act and process of tending to a garden actually is good exercise.

Additionally, gardening has been proven to be a significant stress reliever for a person, resulting in lower blood pressure and other demonstrable health benefits.

Researchers have long noted that the average person (in most countries around the world) does not consume enough fresh fruits and vegetables.

By planting and producing your own fruits and vegetables, you have a ready source of wholesome food that can be consumed on a more regular basis.

Many gardeners have taken to using organic practices in the cultivation of their gardens.

By utilizing organic gardening practices and techniques, you will be able to grow and consume fruits and vegetables that are free of chemical residue that can be found in many produce items for sale at a typical grocery market in the brick and mortar world.

In the end, you can put yourself on the road to a more healthy life because you grow backyard garden to have  fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet on a more regular basis. By growing your own fruits and vegetables, you will be able to better integrate healthy eating into your overall lifestyle — both now and into the future.