Starting a Vegetable Garden - 5 Tips for Beginners

Vegetable Gardens are becoming more and more popular as a great source of fresh produce. From corn to tomatoes victory gardens are making a comeback in urban communities. If you have never grown your own vegetables or have not gardened in a while, here are 5 tips to get you started.

1. Start simple: Grow vegetables that are easy to maintain. Do a bit of research before buying seeds and/or plants. Tomatoes grow well in just about every climate and soil. Cherry tomatoes grow well in large pots on patios and balconies. Larger varieties grow better in raised beds in back yards. Stay with the tried and true varieties like Big Boy, Beefsteak and Plum. They are hardy and well known for their resistance to tomato blight. If you have larger gardens try planting one or two cucumber plants. One plant can produce one to two dozen juicy cucumbers over the course of the summer and into early fall.

2. Start Seedlings Indoors: I start my delicate seedlings, radishes, beets, tomatoes indoors in March. By May they are typically sturdy enough to transplant in the gardens. Beans can be planted directly into the ground as long as the ground is warm enough to germinate them.

3. Schedule Planting: Most novice gardeners will eagerly begin planting their outdoor plants too early. Check your local weather report to find out when the final frost advisory is scheduled for your area. The east coast can experience frost warnings well into the first two weeks of May. Most farmers suggest planting outdoor seedlings after Mother's Day. By then the ground is warm and the threat of frosts has come to an end.

4. Know When to Harvest: Beginner gardeners make the mistake of harvesting too early or too late. Harvesting at the right time is important and makes a huge difference in the flavor of the produce. Keep a garden diary. It will help you to remember when you planted each vegetable. Also, keep your seed packets. They will give you a general growth period table and when it's best to harvest.

5. Storing your Produce: Much of your summer bounty can be frozen and canned. If you decide to freeze, remember to blanch your produce in simmering hot water before freezing. It helps to lock in the flavor and makes cooking time shorter. This works well with string beans, broccoli, carrots and peas. Before storing leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, collard greens should be washed numerous times to remove grit and soil in the folds. I love making my own tomato and spaghetti sauce from my summer tomato crop and canning it to use later on over the winter when fresh tomatoes are in short supply. If you decide to grow an herb garden, invest in a dehydrator. Dehydrating your basil, rosemary, oregano, thyme is easy and economical. Dehydrators vary in price ranging from $44 - $99. The price of supermarket dehydrated fruits and herbs can be expensive and by drying your own you can save money. If you prefer the bag sealer systems they range from $12 - $45.

Growing your own fruits and vegetables will keep you healthy in two ways. Fresh produce always tastes better and is better for you. And the labor you put into tending your summer garden is a great source of exercise and the summer sun can be a natural source of vitamin D, with the help of a good sunscreen, of course. So grab your big gardening hat, gloves and gardening tools and get growing!