What is the best setup for a vegetable garden?
As a general rule, put tall veggies toward the back of the bed, mid-sized ones in the middle, and smaller plants in the front or as a border. Consider adding pollinator plants to attract beneficial insects that can not only help you get a better harvest, but will also prey on garden pests. Aspect and orientation – most fruit, vegetables and cut flowers need full sun, so position beds in the south- or west-facing parts of your garden, away from the shade of overhanging trees. Run long beds north to south for even sunlight levels.I prefer organic compost – I put my plants straight into that and they grow fast, large, and healthy. Many garden centers now sell bags of raised bed soil and that’s a good option too. Use a rake to even the soil out, but don’t smoosh it down – plants like non-compacted soil for their roots to easily spread through.As a general rule, put tall veggies toward the back of the bed, mid-sized ones in the middle, and smaller plants in the front or as a border. Consider adding pollinator plants to attract beneficial insects that can not only help you get a better harvest, but will also prey on garden pests.
How much space is needed for a vegetable garden?
The truth is, there is no single correct answer when it comes to deciding vegetable garden size. Some sources say 100 square feet per person is the magic number, but that can’t be right because every family has different needs and preferences when it comes to food. Garden size should reflect the types of vegetables you want, available space, and your time for maintenance. A manageable starting size is around 100 square feet (10×10 feet), but many new gardeners benefit from starting even smaller, like 4×8 feet.