I believe there is nothing like going shopping in your own garden. It is a real treat to be able to pull fresh vegetables and herbs right from your own backyard. I have my own garden that I enjoy tremendously. I get so much joy from it that I have decided to share with all of you some tips on starting and growing a successful garden.
     The difference in taste from buying produce from the store as opposed to pulling it straight from the vine is incredible. Growing your own vegetables is a good way to avoid all of the pesticides and growth enhancers that have been added to the produce found at your local supermarkets.
Gardening is considered to be a form of meditation that can greatly reduce stress. Imagine that, a way for food lovers to sooth the tension from our everyday stresses. When tending to your garden you will benefit from fresh air and exercise. Some things many of us certainly do not get enough of during our busy schedules.
     For many people the thought of gardening can seem a bit overwhelming. Especially, if you have never had one before.
The important thing to remember is that you can keep it as simple as you want and still have mouth-watering results. You can begin with what you feel comfortable with. My intention here is to inspire you to start your own garden, so that you can begin to taste the joy!

Garden Tips for Vegetables and Herbs:

The right spot
Decide on a section of your yard that you will dedicate to your new garden. Make sure that the area you have chosen has ample sun for your plants growth. Take notice of the area many times through out the day. Tall trees may cast a shade that prohibits ample sunshine. Repeat this many times through out the year. A tree in full bloom will provide more shading then when it was bare. When a plant is grown in the right space with the correct amount of sunlight and the right amount of water, it is less susceptible to disease. You may have to use a shovel and remove the grass that is covering the soil or perhaps you may just want to start with potted plants. Another option is to fill in some of the gaps in an existing flower garden with some vegetable plants or herbs. I like to do this with basil and chives. The basil I use all the time and the chives add beautiful purple flowers to your garden. These flowers are edible and are great for decorating.

PH of soil
It is advised to check the PH level of your soil. This is not difficult to do. Simply take three empty jars and scoop some soil from three different areas of the allotted space that you plan to grow. Then take them to your local Agricultural Department and they will provide an examination for usually no more then $12-15. They will then advise you as to what you need to balance the soil.

Add Grass Clippings
If you are preparing your garden for the following year or have an existing garden it is beneficial to add your grass clippings as you cut it and turn it into the soil. This is favorable providing you do not use chemicals or artificial fertilizers on your lawn.

What to grow
Choose vegetables and herbs that you enjoy eating.

Planting in rows
Plant in rows, it is not only more pleasing to the eye but also trouble-free to pick your fruits and weed your garden properly. My first year growing I had a difficult time getting to the tomatoes in the back of the garden while attempting to avoid stepping on the more delicate plants around them.

Make a list
Making a list for each season will keep you organized. To find out the best time to start your garden, call your local agricultural department. As a native New Yorker I do my planting in early spring. I harvest in the summer and early fall. For a more thorough guide to planning click here.

Pests
Catnip and marigolds are great for planting intermittently around your garden to prevent unwanted pests from feeding off your edibles and their leaves. Ladybugs and their larvae are a gardens best friend because they will feast on unwanted insects. Slugs can be harmful to a garden so an organic solution to them is beer traps. You can pick them off the plants at night using a glove and a flashlight.

Planting
I like to purchase some starter plants and ready-grown herbs at the nursery at the beginning of the season and the rest of the crops are sown from seeds that I have purchased and planted in egg cartons or small containers and then transplanted in the garden. It is important to follow the instructions on the back of your seed packet or the tag on your starter plant to determine the best sowing for your garden.

Composting
A compost bin can be easily assembled in your yard. I have used an old garbage can with holes drilled throughout it. You can add any of the following: leaves, organic grass clippings, newspapers, fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grinds and filters, eggshells, flowers, sticks, hay, wood ashes, branches, and leaves. You can also add the remnants of your garden after harvest. It takes about six months to decompose properly. There are bioactivators that you can add, found at your local nursery that will speed up the process of decomposition. If at all possible add the manure of farm animals to compost bin. Next season turn the nutrient filled decomposed soil into your garden before planting.

Spacing
When planting, take into consideration where you place certain plants and how much space you leave between them. Some plants have a tendency to take over another plants section. Some more intrusive plants make it difficult for other plants to survive in their area. For example, when growing mint, the roots grow sideways and can spread across your garden. I curbed this problem by planting it in a pot with the bottom cut out for proper drainage

Seaweed
Liquid seaweed is great as an organic natural fertilizer; I like to add it to my herbs planters and containers. It an be purchased from your local nursery as well as online vendors and catalogs.

Recycle your own plastic bottles
Plastic containers that are cut at the base provide a great shelter and greenhouse effect for young plants. They also prevent against slugs.

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