Basic Gardening - Planning and Preparation

This post covers some of the basic steps to be considered when implementing a home garden for growing vegetables, fruits, herbs, and other plants.

Prior to the design and construction of garden plots, a number of factors may need to be considered.

When choosing a location, it may be important to consider factors such as sun, drainage, etc. Availability of water and vehicle access may influence location choices.

In some areas, HOA rules or local regulations may also apply to gardens and other landscaping projects.

In some situations, soil tests may be useful prior to beginning a garden plot. A variety of soil tests are available for pH, trace elements, and detection of heavy metals or other pollutants. Soil tests are available from state agencies or commercial service providers.

Once a site is selected, the design process can begin. A number of traditional garden layouts exist that are adaptable to most projects.

After choosing the size and shape of the production area, gardeners can allocate plots to specific crops.

In addition to production plots, space should be allocated for equipment storage, composting, and other needs.

A common practice among beginner gardeners is to till a large plot and overplant. Large garden projects can require considerable labor. As the season progresses, gardeners can suffer burnout caused by unpredictable weather, weeds, pest control, disease, over production, and other issues.

Once the garden layout is resolved, tilling or turning of the soil is usually called for. Tilling is generally done in the spring but only after the soil becomes dry enough to break apart easily. Tilling too early can cause problems, especially in soils with a high clay content.

In many cases, garden soils will need some amount of remediation. Popular additions include liming, traditional pelleted fertilizer, compost, manure, peat moss, sand, or other products.

If raised or ground level beds will be used, those will need to be laid out and pathways created.

Acquiring seeds, seedlings, bulbs, plants, and other will also need to be done. When planting begins, gardeners need to monitor plots for a variety of needs.

Seeds and young plants need frequent care including watering, weeding, and monitoring for insect infestations, diseases, or other problems.

In some areas, animal damage is possible. The list of troublemakers can include dogs, cats, deer, rabbits, rodents, birds, and others.   

Related Information

How To Preserve Excess Produce

2022 Summer Food Trends

Cooked Lobster

Each year, a number of factors affect food trends. For the summer of 2022, consumer trends are influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, economic uncertainty, the war in Ukraine, and other events. 

Search engine data can provide valuable clues about food-related consumer trends.

According to Google's The Thought-Starter: June 6, 2022, search queries using the modifier “cheap” were rising in May as people appear to be looking for help managing their budgets.

Examples of 2022 food-related searches include:

"cheap food near me"

"best cheap food near me"

"healthy cheap food near me"

"cheap food near me open now"

Source: Think with Google - The Thought-Starter: June 6, 2022

Consumers that are looking for inexpensive meals or other foods face an array of challenges. Although purchase price can be a major factor, other expenses can affect the final cost of foods.

Travel costs, tips, packaging, cleaning, waste disposal, and other expenses can drive up meal costs considerably.

Cheap Food Options

Fresh Beets

Backyard gardens can provide valuable food at moderate cost. Favorite small garden crops can include salad greens, onions, beets, carrots, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, corn, beans, melons, cilantro, chives, oregano, dill, mint, and others.

For those that are unable to garden, getting to know local gardeners can be useful. Even small garden owners often have excess vegetables and are willing to share.

Anglers can be another source of free food. Anglers and other recreational food harvesters often have access to fresh fish and other seafood. 

Local farmers markets can be a good option for meal ingredients and well as ready-to-eat meals.

In a few areas, foraging can provide free ingredients to supplement meals prepared at home. Foods such as fruits, nuts, and wild greens can be gathered and eaten fresh or preserved for later use.

Food trucks can also be a source of cheap food. Many vendors offer specials via social media or other means.

Even traditional restaurants can offer a variety of cheap meal options. Some restaurants offer off-peak specials or other inexpensive options.

Eating take-out meals can be expensive but it does have its place in food culture. One advantage of take-out food is that it can be combined with home cooked foods and drinks. 

Related Information

Where to Buy Locally Sourced Foods

Things To Do With Excess Fruits and Vegetables

Food Insecurity in the United States

Things To Do With Excess Fruits and Vegetables

fresh garden tomatoes

Summer is a time of plenty for home gardeners. By mid-season, many homeowners are overwhelmed with vegetables such as sweet corn, string beans, lima beans, squash, cucumbers, melons, tomatoes, bell peppers, jalepenos, okra, potatoes, and other fresh vegetables.

For fruit growers, there are apples, peaches, pears, cherries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and other treats.

Canning is a traditional method for storing fruits and vegetables for the off season. Home canners often "put up" jars of tomatoes, corn, beans, pears, peaches, relish, jams, jellies, and other foods.

Canning vegetables is hard work and takes not only equipment, but considerable knowledge, time and effort. Despite the hassles associated with canning, the end result can be high-quality products which can be stored all winter without requiring refrigeration.

Some vegetables, such as squash, corn, tomatoes, bell peppers, hot peppers, and okra can be blanched and frozen in vacuum bags or other containers. Freezing foods is not as energy efficient as canning, but simplicity of this method makes it a viable option for most home gardeners.

Dehydration is another option for gardeners. Dehydrators are expensive and use energy, but yield high quality dried fruits and vegetables.

In rural areas, a few home gardeners and micro-farmers still keep chickens, ducks, geese, guinea birds or other fowl. These birds all have insatiable appetites for fruits and vegetables.

When all uses at home are exhausted, producers still have a variety of options. Non-gardening friends, family and neighbors are usually happy to accept when offered fresh produce. These arrangements become even better when fruits or vegetables can be exchanged or bartered for other goods.

Excess fruits and vegetables can also be sold at local flea markets or farmer's markets. This can be a challenge when markets are flooded with produce, but some areas seem to have a strong demand for locally sourced foods.

Not to be forgotten are local shelters, soup kitchens, food banks or other facilities where food is always in demand. By providing fresh fruits and vegetables to these facilities, gardeners can provide a valuable service to their community.