How to Build a Backyard Vegetable Garden

Starting a vegetable garden from scratch may seem like an intimidating process for gardening novices; however, it's actually fairly straightforward, and with just a little bit of time, effort and some basic supplies, it's possible to grow a multitude of delicious homegrown vegetables in the backyard. The process of growing your own food from seed or seedlings can be a fun and highly rewarding process, especially as the season draws to a close and you can enjoy an abundance of your own fresh, homegrown produce.

Vegetable seeds and/or vegetable seedlings

Shovel, spade or tiller

Fertilizer or soil amendments (optional)

Garden hose with a spray nozzle or a watering can

Plant supports (optional)

Determine how much space you have in the backyard to devote to your vegetable garden. Many gardeners like to keep their growing space a fairly manageable size and opt to allocate a 20-by-20 foot block of land for their vegetable patches. A garden of that size will provide an ample supply of seasonal vegetables for four to five people. If you have a larger than average family, want to try a multitude of varieties or plan to grow extra vegetables for freezing, canning or drying, a larger growing area would be appropriate.

Choose the vegetables that you want to grow. Select varieties that you eat or cook with regularly because growing your own produce can save you a significant amount of money at the grocery store. You may also want to consider unusual or heirloom varieties of vegetables that are not typically available commercially.

Purchase vegetables seeds and/or transplants. Seeds are the most economical option; however, most varieties will require 6 to 8 weeks of indoor growing time before they can be transplanted into the ground. If you have the time, space and inclination to start your seeds indoors, this is an excellent option. That said, certain varieties of vegetable seeds such as corn, radishes, lettuce and carrots can be planted directly into the ground and do not require transplanting. Garden centers sell large flats of vegetable plants that are quick and easy to transplant into the garden for those who do not have the time or desire to start from scratch. This option is more costly than seeds; however, the bulk of the initial growing legwork is already taken care of, which means much less work for you.

Till and prepare the soil for your seeds or seedlings. Tilling the soil simply means breaking up the impacted ground to allow aeration, which benefits the roots of your plants. Before tilling the soil, make sure that the ground is dry and that the last frost of the season has passed. The land can be tilled with anything from a rotary tiller to a garden shovel, rake or spade. After the ground has been prepared, you may wish to add a fertilizer or soil amendment product to help enhance the land and to promote plant growth. Fertilizers and soil amendments are readily available at any garden center or plant nursery and come in styles to suit both traditional and organic gardens. To maximize their effectiveness and to utilize them safely, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Plant your seeds or seedlings and add plant supports if needed. Many vegetables, such as indeterminate tomatoes, green beans, peas and cucumbers, will benefit from the use of wire cages, plant spirals or garden fencing. Keep your garden well hydrated by watering your vegetable plants regularly with either a garden hose with a spray attachment or a simple watering can. As mid to late summer approaches, begin harvesting and enjoying your homegrown vegetables.