Veggie Gardening Guide: 7 Easy Steps

It’s not too late to enjoy veggie gardening this summer. You can still plant a vegetable garden and eat fresh veggies through the summer and fall. We’re proud to share a short, handy and easy guide to planting and harvesting a home veggie garden — no matter how small the space.

Working with the United Way, we wrote this guide for all to enjoy home-grown, healthy food. Get the free United Way Gardening Guide - 7 easy steps from picking a spot to growing to harvesting veggies.

7 Easy Steps to Select, Plant, Grow, Maintain & Harvest Vegetables

7 Easy Steps to Select, Plant, Grow, Maintain & Harvest Vegetables

And if you plant a little extra, consider sharing your bounty with neighbors in need; donate a portion to a local food pantry or soup kitchen!

Where to put a garden? Anywhere!

It’s amazing how people are growing vegetables just about anywhere that there’s sunlight. From hanging bags for tomatoes and strawberries to container peas to backyards consumed by vegetables, fruits and herbs, gardens are popping up all over the place. Gardens aren’t being restricted to backyards or large acreage on country properties.Square foot gardening - raised vegetable beds

How to choose a location to grow vegetables:

  • Sunlight – Most vegetables need at least 6 hours sun exposure every day. Check target areas for sun vs. shade at different times of the day to find sufficient sunlight.
  • Close to the house – Try to put a vegetable or herb garden in an area you’ll often see and walk through. Benefits: convenient to the kitchen, easier to be attentive to problems like deer or thirsty plants, and enjoyable to see the garden grow. Continue reading