How to Prepare a Garden for Growing Vegetables

Unless you’re a huge advocate for an allotment, growing vegetables can be achieved by just about anyone that puts their mind to it. And it’s incredibly rewarding too - there are a number of vegetables and fruits you can try across the year to grow and cultivate in your very own backyard. Preparing your garden is probably the most difficult step, but it’s not even too much hassle to adjust - here is a step-by-step guide to prepping your garden for growing vegetables.

Allocate your space

Unless you’re one step ahead and have already laid out your plot, then the first step (and arguably the most important step) is to decide where you’ll be growing your vegetables. You have a few choices: section off a part of your garden, base your operations in a greenhouse or use railway sleepers to have raised beds. The important thing is not to go overboard with your plans as you could have a huge space to work with that you might not be able to manage.

Prepare your soil

If you’re just starting with a brand-new space, then look to buy high quality soil for your plot. If you’re revisiting old ground, it’s wise to dig up the soil and make sure there are no weeds hiding in there. You should do this a few weeks before you plan to sow your seeds to give the soil time to bring out any other seeds you missed that will germinate.

Use a variety of soil

You may be wondering why we say this, but there are a load of benefits to doing this that will help your crops grow in the best way. Look at the soil you already have and see if there are any traces of chalk or clay within it - this works best for crops being grown in raised beds. If you’re not using raised beds then these parts can be dug up.

Add compost or manure to your soil to improve the drainage in your soil, as well as improving the fertility of the crops you grow as they’re full of healthy nutrients that plants and vegetables love. Another thing you can do to minimise weeds growing through the plots is lay down newspaper or cardboard between the soil and any compost or manure you use, then cut holes in for where you plan to plant your seeds.

If you’re being really particular, you could also check the pH of the soil. Having a neutral level of acidity in your soil gives you the biggest chance for your crops to grow happy and healthy. And ensure that you have topsoil to level off your plot nicely, to ensure you have a good level of quality soil.

Choose crops that are easy to grow

You could be after a challenge or you’re already a seasoned pro at growing vegetables, but you could well be starting out and want to explore your options as well. There’s always time to learn about growing your veggies, but you can start off easy by choosing crops that are the easiest to manage. 

Potatoes, carrots, courgettes and cabbage are all great crops to start with, and if you have kids it’s a great activity to get them involved in as well, as the crops are easy to maintain and can withstand the environment.

With a bit of love and attention, you can start your own plot of crops that you can pick out of all year round with a variety of vegetables and fruit. Why not start today? Take a look through our range of supplies and tools to help you with your new vegetable plot.