Why Start a Garden?

Before you put the first plant or seed into the ground, choose the best spot in your yard.

Tomato and pepper seedlings transplanted into the garden will produce a bountiful crop.

Vegetable garden designed with different plants and growing in raised garden beds

The Spruce / Alandra Chavarria

But remember tochoose vegetables that you will enjoy eating.

As with any plant, it is vital to understand the climate or growing zone where you live.

TheUSDA Hardiness Zone Mapwill help you determine the best varieties and cultivars for your area.

Curved garden layout with pink, white and orange flowers to attract hummingbirds

The Spruce / Colleen & Shannon Graham

Some vegetables just won’t tolerate extreme heat and humidity even for experienced gardeners.

Other vegetables with long maturity times (watermelons) won’t ripen in colder areas with short growing seasons.

Contact your local County Cooperative Extension Service for excellent advice on growing vegetables in your area.

companion planting vegetables

The Spruce / Randi Rhoades

In areas with long-growing seasons, you may be able to garden nearly year-round.

you’re free to stagger plantings by a few weeks to keep production going for several months.

9 Great Tips for Growing Vegetables

Anaheim pepper plants growing in a garden

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

How to grow tomatoes - no reuse

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows