10 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Starting a New Vegetable Garden

Growing a garden is equal parts challenging, rewarding, mystifying and uplifting. There’s a lot to learn, but we’re here to help.

Don’t make the same mistakes we did!

In this short video we’ll share our top 10 tips to help you grow a successful garden.

If you love growing your own food, why not take a look at our online Garden Planner which is available from several major websites and seed suppliers:
and many more...

[JoRiver]

My suggestion is don't plant 17 tomato plants for two people! Haha! We were processing tomatoes every two days.

[nancytabor]

Thank you for these reminders that every year I am a new gardener!

[cararoby]

My best advice would be... bird feeding stations and watering features...I know it sounds wrong but it is so right...they work for me and I show them my appreciation...never have pest problems and they get on very well with the pollinators...I also have a bee and butterfly bath...Cara in Indiana

[evelynallen]

Our local Community House has a harvest table. You bring along any excess produce, or seeds etc and swap for something else. Everything is free. It stops food waste and builds Community.

[donaldmulcare]

Spend a bright day checking sunlight at potential planting sites, on an hourly basis. Record hourly results in a table. From this, you can measure the hours of full sun and sow plants accordingly.

[RCPrepping]

Great information. I started growing food seven years ago. I wish I had seen a video like this back then. I live in zone 9b, central Florida, USA. I am blessed to be able to garden 365 days a year.

[inhalefarts]

Don't sweat the failures. Every opportunity you have to troubleshoot a new problem is a unique part of the growth experience that is very valuable to becoming the type of person who is adept at troubleshooting issues in the garden and becoming a truly sage type of gardener.

The "what not to do"''s, are just as important as the "what to do's'.

[botanicaltreasures]

Great advice! Be sure to add companion plants—flowers that are friends with vegetables like marigolds which attract pollinators 🐝 while they repel pests. 🌼

[smashedcandle]

I just started off my radishes! Good luck with your crop everyone!

[seth]

Just get started and don't be afraid to fail, that is my tip. xD

[kirbinthekrab]

I am so excited to finally start a garden! The gardening tool looks like exactly what I need!

[MarlenesHomeandGarden]

Patience and attentiveness will make your gardening experience so much better. Happy Gardening.

[dodopson]

For tip #7 I'd like to add: know what you planted when weeding, when I was a kid my mum once weeded out all the leeks thinking they were grass (in very neat rows ).

[weeannie]

Thank you. I’m just about to start my garden. My dad is a very good gardener. He gave me a tip. If you have a greenhouse burn a plastic bag on the middle of the floor close the door and leave it it will kill all insects and no nasty chemicals needed.

[lucybarnard]

As a newbie I’d suggest drawing up a plan of where and what you’ll plant, where any structures like sheds or greenhouses or compost bins will go first, these will be the hardest to change around. A plan is a good idea so you don’t get more than you have space for, remember small plants grow! This was a rookie mistake I made with plants in my garden I then had to dig things up and move them! Don’t get discouraged if thing’s especially seeds don’t work, try again even experienced gardeners will have some problems maybe a hard frost or extreme heat. Keep an eye on your local weather so you can protect plants accordingly. Enjoy the experience ❤

[MyChilepepper]

Very good advice. I once drove pass a sign selling 6 tomato seedlings for 20p and I bought 5. We had a good bumper crop of 30 humongous tomato plants that’s crowding our yard. Never again.

[gca]

I love watching gardening videos. I always pick up something from them as I did with this one. When I transplant anything, I fill the hole with water, let it drain into the soil, , then put the transplant in, cover it and water from above.

[colettephilcox]

Tip - always make sure u know ur last frost date as well as ur gardening zone. For example I am located in northern Toronto/Markham/pickering Ontario Canada my zone is 5B where is south Toronto is zone 5A. As well don’t go gun ho at the start if your new u will become overwhelmed quickly. Also I find raised beds are great for growing in as you can add old windows to the top to make a cold frame or make a hope house/tunnel on top to extend your growing season as well as the soil seems to warm up faster then your traditional on the ground rows. This is what I will be adding this year as well as one of my dads buddy’s (96 yrs old ) gave me a bunch of half barrels the plastic type food grade I’ll be growing stuff in them as well. I hope this helps and enjoy the fruits of your labour.

[flowergrowersmith]

My big lesson from last year - BE PATIENT! Do not put out vegie seedlings till WELL into spring. My tomato seedlings were checked and checked and checked by cold days and nights. I ended up with a miserable crop. Don't be tempted people!!

[maxxnerfs]

I just started composting I’m doing it to grow veggies and fruit in my yard thank you!