Vegetable gardening is a great way to save money while connecting with nature. Growing these vegetables will save you more money than you can imagine; the seedlings are affordable, and you get to harvest pounds of vegetables over the season. Also, you will discover that these fresh vegetables are healthier than the packaged ones you buy at the grocery store. Plus, vegetable gardening is an activity that is mentally relaxing and counts as exercise.

Below are tips to help you get your vegetable garden started:

1. Start Small

As a beginner, it is best to start with a small space. Vegetable gardening requires commitment, and it is better to take pride in the produce from your small garden rather than getting frustrated with the lack of time and dedication needed for a more extensive garden.

It is best to get acquainted with gardening and gather experience before investing more money and time into this new hobby. With that, you can discover if you have a passion for gardening and learn how much you need to plant and harvest to provide substantial produce for you and your family.

A considerable garden size for a beginner is 6×6 feet. You can grow up to five different vegetables in this garden. You can manage this garden size easily and keep up with the gardening tasks.

2. Easier to grow what you eat

It is best to pick what you and your family like to eat when choosing vegetables for your garden. Also, keep the following in mind:

• Be careful when selecting varieties of seedlings to plant. Each vegetable has specific characteristics and requires a certain amount of care to thrive. Some plants are also more ideal for your garden size than others.
  Pick vegetables you like and then research their sizes and care needs.
• Productivity is another essential factor. Consider how much you need to sustain yourself and your family. This factor will determine how many seedlings you need to plant. Don’t overplant as it may become difficult to maintain and care for these plants.
• Plant successive crops to have a harvest of vegetables throughout the year. For instance, grow carrots, peas, and lettuce in the early spring, and after harvesting, plant hot-weather vegetables such as peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant. While doing this, you can harvest potatoes and cabbages that you had planted earlier.

3. Water and sunlight are a must.

Pick a location where your plant can access direct sunlight and a constant water supply for best success.

Vegetables require sunlight to kick-start photosynthesis. These vegetables usually have access to at least six hours of direct sunlight. If you must plant in a shady space, it is best to avoid these sun-loving vegetables as you won’t succeed without the sun. Consider vegetables and herbs like spinach, parsley, spinach, and kale if your yard provides partial shade.

The closer your garden is to running water, the better. Seedlings need a daily supply of watering for them to thrive. Ensure to water directly into the soil. It will encourage the roots to grow deeper and access the nutrients to stay healthy.

These tips will help your vegetable garden thrive and ensure that you have enough produce to feed yourself and your family.