Designing Your Organic Vegetable Garden

All types of gardens can be improved by putting some careful thought into your organic vegetable garden design. Gardens can have many different purposes. You may want to have some essential features in your garden for the specific purpose you have in mind. Perhaps a shed, a path or a vegetable plot might fit into your plans. You will have a better idea of the area you have for planting once you can see what the overall plan looks like. You can enjoy all of the fruits, vegetables, or flowers you would like in a garden that is well planned and your plants are in the proper place. Here you will find some useful considerations that are fundamental to success when planning your organic vegetable garden design.

If you have not had a garden before, it is best to start with a small piece of land rather than a large area. Start by growing vegetables that have a short lifespan or are not available in stores where you live. Once you have some experience you can expand to a larger area to match your diet and taste. Grow plants that work well together during the growing season. One crop can be harvested, and another one can be put in its place. The preceding crop can even fertilize the next one.

The climate where you live is another important consideration. Choose plants that mature more quickly if you live in a cold climate where the growing season is short or consider using a greenhouse. Grow vegetables that are well suited for your area. For example, some varieties of dry bean will grow well in more temperate climates but will produce poorly in hot humid areas. Choose the variety that will fit your particular climate, location and soil type for best results.

As you work in your garden throughout the growing season you will notice that some of your plants are thriving and doing very well. You may want to save the seeds from these plants for planting next year, because these are the plants that do well with the climate and soil conditions in your area. You might want to save the seeds from your favorite plants because of their flavor, color or time of harvest. By saving seeds you can get a harvest that will be reliable over an extended period of time.

Factors like soil, sun, moisture and nutrients will have an influence on where plants will grow best. Once your plants are well placed and are healthy you will have the benefit of experiencing fewer problems with pests or diseases. Healthy plants are also able to tolerate adverse conditions such as drought or flood better than plants that are struggling.

Sometimes the best place to start getting ideas for your garden is to look around your own neighborhood. What do you see in someone's yard that strikes your imagination as you drive by? Public gardens are a good place to visit to get some ideas for your garden. Visiting these places will show you which plants will thrive in your climate. Notice things like plant groupings and color combinations in a garden to get some possibilities for your own planting design. Another good place to look for ideas is in magazines and gardening catalogs.

Gardening can be a very enjoyable and satisfying hobby. You will benefit from your garden for many years to come. Make gardening a pleasurable experience for your whole family.