One of the most satisfying ways to save money in the kitchen is to grow your own vegetables. There are more seed types now than ever, with classic, international, and heirloom varieties hitting the market every season. Here is a step-by-step action plan for getting your plot growing.
1. Stake your space, assess your dirt.
If this is your first time planting a vegetable garden, start small (considering it a test-run year). After weeding the area and removing debris, test your soil’s pH and moisture levels using a pH test (readily available at your hardware store or gardening center).
The results will indicate if you need to correct the acidity levels by adding bonemeal, fertilizer, lime, or sulfur (again, the folks at your garden center will be able to guide you here). To test the moisture level, simply dig a hole and squeeze some of the dirt in your hand. It should be like pie dough that holds together, yet breaks apart easily. If it’s too dry, add water; if it’s too wet, wait a few days for it to dry out a bit before tilling.
2. Prepare the bed.
Before planting vegetables, you need to give your plot a facial. Add a few inches of rich compost (preferably organic) and till it in. If you need to correct your soil’s pH, now is the time to add in the soil boosters mentioned above.
3. Plot your garden: seeds or seedlings?
Besides offering a wider variety of varietals, starting from seeds is much less expensive than using seedlings (you can buy seed packets for an average $2 to $3 per pack versus seedlings for $3 to $4 per plant). That said, many plants, such as tomatoes, eggplants, and parsley, can be tricky to start from seed, so you may be better off buying seedlings.
When you buy your seeds, be sure to check how quickly they germinate—if it’s already August and you want a Cinderella garden of pumpkins, you might be out of luck, as they take several months to germinate. On the other
hand, vegetables such as zucchini, peas, and green beans are quick to germinate. In addition, you may want to plant extra crops of lettuces and carrots throughout the season so you get several harvests.
4. Choose your source.
You have many options when it comes to finding the best place to buy your plants. I’ve purchased plants and seeds from 4-H clubs, school fund-raisers, hardware stores, supermarkets, garden centers, warehouse stores, local businesses, botanical gardens, and even online. Do your research and check prices to see who has the best deal.
5. Watch your garden grow—then eat it!
The 5 easiest veggies and herbs to grow:
- Summer squash (yellow and/or zucchini)
- Herbs (basil, chives, mint, parsley, rosemary, sage, tarragon, and thyme)
- Eggplant
- Tomatoes
- Bell peppers
