Plan Ahead

• In autumn, take the leaves raked from the yard and mix them in with the garden soil making a natural compost. In the spring, purchase a bag or two of rich, black soil or a mixture of soil and manure and mix these into the garden soil as well. Available for purchase from a local grower or greenhouse, soil rich in nutrients and containing the proper chemical balance provides for optimal growing conditions if starting from scratch. Simply clear out the top six inches and replace the top layer with the new soil.
  
  

Timing and Preparation

• Deciding which vegetables to grow in your garden will depend on the length of the growing season in your area, the amount of available sunlight and the location of your garden. Tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, peppers and herbs show up as typical fare for most gardens. For particularly short growing seasons, start the garden with small plants rather than seeds. Some plants, like cucumbers, require a bit more space than other garden vegetables. Use a trellis to coax the growing upward rather than spreading out and taking up valuable garden space. Research specific plants and plan for their particular growing habits.
  
  

Organizing the Garden

• Organizing vegetable plants in long rows may not provide the most efficient means of gardening. Organize plants into sections or beds, grouping them together to gain several advantages. Growing several vegetable plants grouped together in one bed allows more controlled watering, fertilizing and composting. Pathways in a garden waste space and allow water and compost to collect on the path rather than in the soil where it will serve plants better. Some plants like potatoes and broccoli inhibit the growth of tomatoes and squash. Separate planting beds will eliminate these problems.
  
  

Productive Plants

• To have a productive vegetable garden, do some research and find out what grows well in your area. If you can't find information online, check with your state's agricultural extension office. They will have all the information you need to help with your specific vegetable gardening needs. Plant vegetables that sell for high prices at the grocery store. For example, corn usually sells for a low price so you may want to choose another type of vegetable for your garden. Late freezes or other weather conditions may cause the price of tomatoes or other vegetables to rise quickly.