Some people understand plants on a different level. They’re the lucky ones born with green thumbs, connected deeply to the soil and all that sprouts from it. You may have watched too many plants wilt to count yourself among this blessed group. But you can still grow your own vegetables, fruits, and herbs at home—we promise.
Modern horticultural advice and techniques make it possible for anyone to garden. And you don’t need a lot of space or years of experience to grow your own vegetables. We’ve pulled together some simple tips and actionable advice to help you get started. Soon enough you’ll be slicing up a juicy, homegrown tomato, or crunching into a salad made with your lettuce.
Why you should grow your own veggies, fruits, and herbs
Before you buy a new pair of gardening gloves, take a moment to think about why you want to dig into small-time farming. So much can be gained—and it goes beyond what you reap at season’s end.
You might dream of running a booth at your local farmer’s market. And you could eventually get there, but start by focusing on smaller, more personal successes. You can enrich your diet, and gain so much more by learning how to grow your own herbs, veggies, and fruits.
- Boost your mental health. Caring for and watching a plant grow can provide a feeling of accomplishment. Also, if your plants are outside, spending time in nature—touching grass, in modern parlance—is great for your mentals.
- Add activity to your days. You can find endless reasons to get up and fuss over your plants. They’ll need water, fertilizer, and some TLC, which are hard to do from the couch.
- Find a new community. Gardening is a big topic online and in your neighborhood. Find a group to join for advice and support—and make friends with fellow local gardeners for crop swaps to share the bounty of the harvest.
- Feel more connected to nature and your food. Weeding beds outdoors or helping your window-sill herbs grow helps you actively participate in the natural world. All the effort you put in also ties you closer to your farm-to-table meals.
- It tastes so good! The flavor of garden-fresh produce is incredible. You’ll have a new appreciation for parsley or bell pepper.
Use these tips to grow your own vegetables
If you’ve read this far, you’re probably ready to dive straight into the soil and get your hands dirty. The tips below will help you throughout the process—from planning and planting to watering and harvesting.
Planning the right garden for you
- Start small—only cultivating what you can easily care for. Putting in your first garden or planting your first pots of herbs is exciting. Don’t let that enthusiasm write a check your time and energy levels can’t cash when it’s time for watering, weeding, and caring for your plants. Also be realistic about your space, needs, and time.
- Take your local climate into consideration when gardening outside. Plants need certain temperatures to thrive. So you might not be able to grow a lot of cold-loving kale in the sweltering summer. Find your growing zone and pick plants that fit best. Your local gardening community or college extension are great resources to consult as well.
- Evaluate your space. What do you have room for? Do you have room for garden beds outside or should you focus on pots inside or on the patio? How much direct sunlight does your yard or window sill get? These considerations will help you pick the right herbs, veggies, and fruits to grow.
- Use a planner to lay everything out. The Old Farmer’s Almanac has a paid planner that can help you layout your desired crops. But even drawing or writing out your plan on a piece of paper will help you better see the bigger picture.
- View gardening as a long-term investment. Growing your own vegetables will eventually save you money on produce from the store. It just might take time for you to realize those savings, especially if you’re starting from scratch. And remember that you aren’t just gardening for financial reasons. You’re also investing in your overall health in ways that don’t carry a price tag.
When it’s time for sowing season
- Plant seasonally to take advantage of the different produce you can grow in your area throughout the year. Gardening isn’t only a summer activity. You can grow beautiful tomatoes, peppers, squash, and much more during the warm season. That shouldn’t keep you from also planting cold-tolerant vegetables and herbs during the spring and fall.
- Read the instructions—especially for sun requirements, soil type, and water needs. Growing guides are on your seed packets or with the little plant starts you buy at your local garden center. The internet can also be a big help. It’s important to give plants the right amount of direct sunlight, soil drainage, nutrients, and water to grow.
- Pay attention to companion planting to protect from pests and give your garden the best shot. Some plants don’t like each other. Some compete for the same nutrients in the soil. Others have a symbiotic relationship that’s #goals. Before sticking anything in the ground, confirm that the basil you plant near your tomatoes will be a good pairing. (It absolutely is!)
- Herbs are an easy place to start. You don’t need a lot of space or investment to grow delicious herbs. They’re lower maintenance than vegetables like squash or peppers, and have multiple harvests. And few things beat the aroma and flavor of freshly snipped herbs.
- Use your store-bought extras to build your garden. You’re already buying produce from the store, so try using those seeds that you’d usually throw away. If your garlic starts to sprout, break the clove off and plant it in a pot! Same goes for those potatoes you didn’t use that started to come to life. There’s even a really great hack that will keep you in green onions indefinitely.
Caring for your growing plants
- Look to experts (in real life or online) for advice. Gardeners are some of the most helpful folks you’ll ever encounter. They’d love to tell you all about what works and give you the support you need. So don’t be afraid to reach out online or at your local garden center!
- Be patient with your little plants. They’re doing their best to sprout, grow, flower, and fruit. As long as you’re giving them the conditions—sun, soil, nutrients, and water—they need, time is all that’s required. Get a good idea of the growth timetable from packaging or online. But if your radishes are slow to sprout or your cucumbers aren’t fruiting right away, practice patience.
- Focus on soil quality and fertilize smartly. Gardeners are cultivating good soil as much as they’re growing vegetables or herbs. Everything your plants need comes from their environment and you have a better chance controlling the soil than the weather. So focus on using good soil (with composted material if you can get it), and fertilizing with the right mix of nutrients, at the right times. The internet or your gardening community can help you figure that out, too!
- Water wisely. While it’s one of your biggest, most important jobs in the garden, watering too much is as big of a problem as not doing enough. Understand what your plant needs, and how it likes to be watered. Some plants like more consistent, shallow watering, while others appreciate a deep soaking less frequently.
- Give space for everything to flourish. This is important in the planning process and while your plants are growing. Provide enough room for plants to grow to their full potential. You’ll do that by allotting the right amount of space in planning, and thinning plants where necessary. Taking out a few carrot sprouts might be what the others need to thrive.
Reaping the rewards of your labor—and beyond
- Take pleasure in the growth and the process, not just the end results. This is advice you’ve heard a million times for different parts of your life. It definitely applies here, too.
- Share the bounty with your friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors. It’s an easy way to earn bonus points. And if your zucchini plant has a good year, you might be drowning in squash anyway.
- Gardening is not a competition. You’re doing this for those small, personal reasons, so focus on them and don’t get too competitive with your fellow gardeners. This doesn’t apply if your goal really is to grow the biggest pumpkin or win a ribbon at the state fair.
- Compost early and often. When you’re doing a Whole30, you have plenty of produce scraps. That’s the perfect time to start composting. Read up on what kitchen waste you can compost and find the best ways to start up.
- Track what went well and what didn’t so you’ll have even more knowledge when you start next year. A simple log of what you planted, where it was, and how it produced puts you far ahead in the planning process.
Enjoy the rewards of growing your own vegetables
Green thumb or not, you’re ready to embark on an epic gardening adventure. We’re wishing you a season of growth and a bountiful harvest of delicious garden goodies. Eat up all the benefits of growing your fruits, veggies, and herbs—whether they’re on your plate or in your overall health.
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