Starting a vegetable garden
One of the things I've been meaning to get better at in my sustainability journey is gardening. With the start of our organic cookie business, I've been taking the time to interview farmers, local community gardens, and nonprofits doing fantastic work to make sustainable, organic food more accessible for all. The more I learn about food sustainability (check out the Christine’s Cookie Co blog for more info), the more I want to grow my own organic food, even if it's on a small scale.
Though it's already summer, I thought, why not take the plunge and garden with mom? I hope the addition of more vegetables and fruits will allow us to spend more time together over a shared hobby of growing plants. If you've also been intimidated or unsure about starting a small vegetable garden, I hope this video gets you excited about taking those first steps - watch the first chapter of my vegetable garden journey above, and find some tips and a rough plan to start below.
This post has also been kindly sponsored by Pela - find more info at the bottom of this post for a discount code and more info on this amazing, circular company that’s looking to reduce waste.
How to start a vegetable garden
Want to start a simple vegetable garden, but aren’t sure where to start? Consider some basic tips for planning a garden below, using them as starting points for your own gardening research.
Where to plant
Consider the amount of space you’ll be working with, and how much sunlight is in that area?
Is the soil healthy enough to plant straight into the ground, or do you want to use containers, such as pots or raised garden beds if you have more space?
What to plant
When are you starting your vegetable garden will dictate what vegetables or fruits grow well that season - refer to local growing calendars or consult a local nursery
Take space and lighting into consideration - if you have a shaded area, you’ll need to find vegetables that love shade, or vice versa
Starting from seeds is cheaper and takes more time, otherwise, you can purchase seedlings that are ready to be transplanted into a garden
Prepping the soil
Having healthy soil is key to having a successful garden - have 25% of your soil be made of compost, and 75% of healthy garden soil
Keep the soil moist and make sure to give it a healthy dose of water before planting
Feel free to add worm castings or any fertilizer of choice to help maintain your soil over time
If weeds are an issue, a layer of cardboard at the bottom of your garden can help prevent growth
Planning your garden layout
If you're planting a variety of seedlings in a raised bed, plan where to plant them accordingly as they'll be sharing the space
Find garden plans online if you need guidance regarding where to put your plants - example of a simple garden bed here
About Pela
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