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:

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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.

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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.

$Warm Weather Crops \ PreparednessMama$