Yes, you can grow your own yummy fruits and vegetables!
Once you have discovered your Gardening Style you can begin to plan for the season ahead. I personally use a mixture of vertical gardening, container gardening and raised beds, but I’ve also planted a traditional garden, in long rows, when I have the space. Vegetable gardening for food production and self sufficiency is what it’s all about. Not only will you be able to eat fresh, delicious food straight from the garden, but you will be learning a valuable skill for the future.
Seed Starting Tips –
You can certainly grow your own plants from seed at home. In fact, it is a rewarding hobby that most gardeners enjoy. If this is your first year planting a garden, I recommend getting your plants and seed from a reliable local source – perhaps a farmer’s market or a local nursery. This will let you learn about how specific vegetables grow without the risk of losing seedlings while you learn the tricks.
Some types of seed are easier to grow than others. Good beginner plants are lettuce, peas, and spinach. There is practically no learning curve to growing these vegetables.
Download the Seed starting worksheet to see when you should be planting and setting out some popular vegetables and herbs
See this publication from Purdue University about Starting Seeds Indoors, it will help you get started while you gain some experience. You can also try some of these other ideas in posts from PreparednessMama:
Planting Tips for Cool Weather Crops
What Are the Cool Weather Crops? These are plants that can be set out in the garden before the first frost date. They will not be bothered by a bit of frost on their leaves. Some actually require the cool weather to get a good start and most do not like the long hot summer days of August.
You might also consider starting your seeds indoors to get a good start on the plants before they are set outside.
Growing Cilantro – The Cut and Come Again Method
Creative Ways for Growing Potatoes in Containers
Bring the Garden Into Your Kitchen with Microgreens
Are You Chitting Me? Preparing Seed Potatoes for Planting
Yes Mom, You Can Grow Potatoes in a Laundry Basket
Potatoes in Grow Bags: A Surprising Solution to Rocky Soil
Maximize Your Harvest with Frost Protection
Grow Salads in Pots & Tubs
Last Frost Date Planting Worksheet
20 Cool Weather Crops To Start Right Now
Grow Onions in Containers
Rethinking That Whole Kale Thing
Grow Green Onions on Your Patio
Heeling In Bare Root Trees
Grow Microgreens
Five Reasons to Grow Your Own Garlic
What Are the Warm Weather Crops?
These plants DO NOT like the cold. Even a bit of frost will stunt their growth or kill them. Have you ever seen a tomato once the last frost hits it? You do not want that to happen to your spring planting! Warm weather fruits include all melons – cantaloupe, watermelon, etc.
Grow a Bumper Crop of Basil in Containers
A Lazy Gardener Struggles to Cage her Tomatoes
Vegetable Families and Crop Rotation
Grow These 12 Fruits for a Year Round Supply
Grow Eggplant with Companion Plants
Warm Weather Crops
Growing Three Sisters in a Pot
Follow along to the other gardening pages – What’s your Garden Style? – Tips, Tricks, Sprays & Brews (DIY Gardening) – Growing Herbs – Get Growing – Composting & Soil Building