A Beginner's Guide to Starting Your Own Vegetable Garden (2024)

There’s no better time to learn how to start a vegetable garden than right now! Store-bought veggies just can’t compare in taste, quality, or the total satisfaction from growing something yourself. Ree Drummond has a flourishing veggie garden on the ranch and also grows fresh herbs for cooking. Even if you don’t have a big space for your garden like Ree, many new plant varieties exist that can flourish in containers on your deck, patio, or balcony.

To help your plants thrive, make sure they get at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun—no skimping! (Plu, most vegetables simply don’t produce in shade.) You’ll also want to situate your garden or containers near your spigot so you don't have to haul water across the entire yard during dry spells. And there’s good news if you’re a procrastinator: Many warm weather crops, such as tomato and eggplant transplants, still can go in the ground if temperatures already are soaring where you live. Some fast-growing crops, like spinach and other greens, even can be planted in mid to late summer for a fall harvest.

We've rounded up everything you need to know about how to start a vegetable garden right now, regardless of the amount of space you have.

How do I build a vegetable garden?

You may have big plans as you daydream about your vegetable garden, but hold on! It’s best to start small and learn from experience before committing too much time and money (and you will have to tend it, after all!). Start with a plot no bigger than about 10' x 10' or smaller for your first attempt, or try several pots on your deck, patio, or balcony. Containers should be at least 16 inches deep to give roots room to stretch, though a window box is fine for shallowly-rooted plants, such as lettuce.

What should I grow in my garden?

It may seem obvious, but grow what you love! There's no sense in having a bumper crop of zucchini if you hate it. If it’s your first garden, stick with veggies that aren’t too finicky. That includes mesclun (mixed lettuce), spinach, Swiss chard, and herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and oregano. Both pole beans—which need something to climb—and bush beans are good choices, too, because they’re prolific and don’t need a lot of coddling. Cucumbers and most squashes also are not picky and can be directly seeded into the ground. Just read the seed label to make sure you have enough room for them because some types can sprawl eight feet or more.

Should I plant seeds or transplants?

Probably both. Some fast-growing vegetables pop up easily from seed and can be directly seeded into your garden or pots (that includes most greens, beans, and squashes). Others, such as tomatoes and peppers, often do better for new gardeners if they're transplants from local or online nurseries.

There’s also the issue of time to consider. In regions where the growing season is short, you must start seeds for heat-loving plants, like eggplants, indoors weeks before setting them out. Otherwise, the tiny seedlings won’t have enough time to mature and fruit before fall’s cooler temperatures arrive.

Don’t forget to plant flowers, too.

Here’s a common beginner’s mistake: Not planting flowers near your vegetables. They’re not just there to look pretty, but they also attract the pollinators who have a big job to do in your garden! Many vegetables need pollinators to make fruit. For example, if you don’t plant flowers such as marigolds, nasturtiums, or sweet alyssum, you may get cucumber flowers but no fruit, or you’ll get funky-shaped fruit.

Flowers don’t have to be in a separate bed or pot. Just mix them in between rows or in the same pot as edibles.

How often should I water my garden?

Soaker hoses deliver water right to the roots of plants, but a good old-fashioned watering can or hose works fine too. If it hasn’t rained lately, stick your finger in the ground. If it’s totally dry, it’s time to water. If not, wait another day or two. Containers dry out faster than in-ground plantings, so keep an eye on them, especially if they are made of porous materials like clay or ceramic. Also, the bigger your container plants get, the more closely you’ll have to watch them. In the hottest part of summer, you may need to water daily.

Pay close attention to your baby plants.

Check on your babies every day or so, and yank weeds as they appear because they steal moisture and nutrients. Feed regularly with a balanced fertilizer, according to package instructions. Something such as 5-5-5 on the label—which indicates nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels—is sufficient.

Use organic fertilizers with care if you have pets: They’re great, but pets often are attracted to their stinky smell and may ingest them, which can cause serious GI distress.

Finally, watch out for anything that’s new or weird in your garden, such as funky bugs or yellow or purplish leaves, which could indicate disease or nutrient deficiencies. If you see something fishy, reach out to your local university county coop extension service for help in identifying and treating problems (find yours here).