{"id":117431,"date":"2024-02-19T03:00:58","date_gmt":"2024-02-19T08:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/admin.hobbyfarms.com\/?p=117431"},"modified":"2024-02-16T13:00:16","modified_gmt":"2024-02-16T18:00:16","slug":"vegetable-garden-design-basics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hobbyfarms.com\/vegetable-garden-design-basics\/","title":{"rendered":"Vegetable Garden Design Basics"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vegetable garden design basics help you take your garden from a dream to reality by taking a realistic look at what you love eating fresh, coupled with how much time you have. Some crops such as tomatoes<\/a> and beans require regular attention and harvesting, while potatoes<\/a> and winter squash<\/a> are more hands-off and can \u201chold\u201d in the garden for weeks.<\/p>\n

Other vegetable garden design considerations include sun and your space. Most vegetables require eight to 10 hours of sunlight for best production and health. To determine where in your yard you get the best sun, try sun mapping by placing an object where your garden will be located and check on it every hour to see how much sun it’s getting. Quick Tip: Set your phone alarm for easy remembering. Also, remember to make access to water a priority. If water is far away, how will you get it to your garden?<\/p>\n

CAUTION: Call before you dig: #811 or #1-800-252-1166 to avoid digging into buried utilities.<\/p>\n

Start with the Soil<\/h2>\n

Soil is the foundation for a healthy garden, so it helps to know where you\u2019re starting. Getting a soil test from your local extension service is a fast, easy and inexpensive (around $20) way to get your basic nutrient numbers. These tests will give you a base level for nitrogen (n) phosphorus(p) and potassium\/potash (K) along with a pH level.<\/p>\n

Design Considerations<\/h2>\n

Decide which style of garden you want early on as well. From quick and inexpensive in-ground gardens to raised beds<\/a>, h\u00fcgelkultur beds, container gardens, straw bale gardens<\/a> or even incorporating vegetables into your existing landscape with edible gardens. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks, such as controlling soil content and better drainage but it is more cost and effort to install with raised beds.<\/p>\n

Consider which orientation suits you best. A north\/south orientation will leave the shorter end at the north side for growing vertically without blocking the sun, while an east\/west orientation will allow for easily adding a cold frame top for season extension.<\/p>\n

Keep your garden goals in mind, how much food do you want to grow and how much time can you give to the garden?<\/p>\n

Vegetable Garden Design Basics<\/h2>\n