Growing your own vegetables is a wonderful way to challenge yourself as a gardener and at the same time enjoys the results of your hard work. If you are fortunate enough to have some space in your backyard, why not allot some space for a vegetable garden?
You can start by planting vegetable seeds outdoors. Here's how.
Designate an area in your backyard for your vegetable garden. It should get adequate sunlight and rain, and the soil should be good, with the proper mix of compost, mulch and soil. Avoid using pesticides and other chemicals in the soil.
It's best to start in the early spring when the cold weather starts to abate. Seeds will not grow in soil that is too cold or too wet.
Select your seed packets carefully. If you are a beginner, choose vegetables that are easy to grow, such a zucchini. Read the instructions and carefully follow the directions written on the packet.
Prepare your soil. Use a hoe to dig rows in your designated plot. How deep the seeds go will depend on what it is. Keep in mind that smaller seeds don't need to be placed as far down into the ground as much as larger seeds. If you bury seeds too far down into the ground, it will not sprout. You can water the soil a bit.
Do not pour the seeds directly from the packet. Take them out and place some in your hands. You can then control how many seeds go into a space.
Place some soil on top of the seed but put a very thin layer of it. Use the back of the rake or hoe to do that. The general rule of thumb is to place about twice the soil of the size of the seed. So that's not a lot. Pat down the ground down gently to keep the seeds in place.
Sprinkle the soil with a little bit of water. Use a fine spray. Do not over-water or you risk drowning the seed or having it float away in the water.
Place labels on the row of the seeds you have planted. If you have more than one type of vegetable in the garden, this is a good way to keep track of what you planted. You can use the seed packet and tape it down on a tongue depressor or other stick. Stake it down beside the row. Once the seeds start to sprout or you can already tell what the plants are, you may remove them.
Follow the maintenance instructions written on the seed packets. Each type of vegetable will require specific care instructions. If you need more information or are having a difficult time making the seeds grow, talk to other gardeners. You may also join online forums to get more information. The best growers put time and research to harvest the best vegetables.
Planting vegetable seeds outdoors takes some time and a little care, but the rewards will be fulfilling and delicious! There's nothing like eating vegetables that you have planted and harvested.