Vegetable Gardening Advice for Beginners: Easy to Grow Vegetables
Many suburban homes have unused space, especially in the backyard, that can be turned into a thriving vegetable garden with little effort. All that is required is a little knowledge and careful planning. Beginners are usually at a loss as to where and how to start. But there is help. 'Starter Vegetable Gardens' by Barbara Pleasant is a book that has everything a newbie needs to get started and is the definitive book on vegetable gardening for beginners. You can also find lots of information online, for instance read about organic vegetable gardening for beginners at Sustainable Suburbia or using vegetable planters at Garden Bound Home. But in the meantime, lets talk about choosing some easy growing vegetables.
Depending upon the space, time, energy and determination you have, you can start with any vegetable that suits your taste and, of course, the climate of your area. But as a beginner it would be best to choose from the really easy to grow vegetables. Greens beans, peas, carrots, radishes and tomatoes fall in this group. Leafy vegetables like lettuce and spinach are also great for beginners. These vegetables grow quickly and do not require a great deal of attention. Also, they can be grown almost anywhere where good soil, water and sunlight are available. These factors make them ideal for beginners.
Before starting your garden, it is important to have a plan. A plan gives you direction and a sense of purpose, which is essential for accomplishing anything. Having a theme is also advisable. This makes it easier for you to decide what exactly you want in your garden. If your theme is a salad garden, then you can grow vegetables that go in salad. But the great thing is that many of the easiest go with any kind of theme. Barbara Pleasant's book has 24 fail-safe, small-scale garden plans that are a great help in choosing your theme and making your plan.
Whatever the theme, beginners are advised to start with beans. Green beans - especially bush beans - are among the fastest and easiest vegetables to grow. Green beans are essentially summer vegetables, and in the right condition they grow in such abundance that they can feed the entire family for months. But the best thing about them is that once planted they practically grow on their own. Radishes and carrots are also great for beginners. There are a great many varieties of both vegetables and they come in many different colors. They are also packed with vitamins and fibers. They like cool climate with lots of sunshine. Leafy plants like lettuce and spinach are not only easy to grow; they also add beauty to your garden. And then there the tomatoes that are a permanent fixture in so many recipes. They require warm weather and lots of water, but can be left pretty much unattended once planted.
If you really want to know more and have been toying with the idea of turning the unused space around your house into a vegetable garden then consider buying or borrowing 'Starter Vegetable Gardens'.
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