Download Article
All the tips you need to sustainably grow food in your backyard
Download Article
For all of human history, people have managed to feed themselves, either by fishing, hunting, gathering, or subsistence farming. Nowadays, we can simply head to the grocery store to buy our meals. However, growing your own food is both rewarding and money-saving. If you’d like to grow your own food, make sure you research the climate in your region, create rows for your crops, and harvest when your food is ripe to enjoy the food from your garden.
Steps
-
Grow most leafy greens and vegetables during a warm summer. If you have temperatures above 75 °F (24 °C) during the summer, plant your vegetable crops in May or June. Make sure they are planted after the threat of frost is over. [1] X Research source
- Lettuce, cabbage, kale, and tomatoes are all great options to plant in the summer.
Tip: Legumes do well in a temperate rainforest and are a great source of protein.
-
Plant fruit in the early spring in a moderate climate. Most fruit, like apples, oranges, lemons, and limes can be grown on trees in a 12,000 square feet (1,100 m 2 ) area. Start with planting a fruit tree in a pot to monitor the soil and water intake, and then transfer it to the ground after 1 year during the early spring. Most fruit trees will not start bearing fruit until they are 2 to 3 years old. [2] X Research source
- Vine fruits, like grapes, can be grown anywhere with a trellis that they can climb.
Advertisement -
Grow winter grains in a cold, wet climate. If you live in an area that gets below freezing and has a lot of precipitation, plant grains like rye. Rye is able to withstand the cold temperatures and the heavy rainfall that will happen in many areas of the world. Plant your rye in the early fall before the first frost hits. [3] X Research source
- Winter grains will usually give a higher crop yield than summer grains.
-
Farm summer grains in a warm, moderate climate. Summer grains, like corn, do best during warm weather. If your summers get hot, plant corn in May or June and let it grow over the summer months. Corn does especially well in the midwest area of the United States. [4] X Research source
- Rice needs a tropical climate to grow. Southeast Asia is the best climate for rice crops.
-
Let root vegetables mature during the fall. Potatoes, beets, radishes, and other vegetables that grow underground prefer to grow during the colder months. Plant root vegetables in July or August to prepare for a fall harvest. You can grow these even if the threat of frost is near, since they are hearty enough to withstand it. [5] X Research source
Advertisement
-
Make sure your soil pH is between 5.5 and 7.0. Test the pH of your soil by using a test probe or paper strips to determine the acidity or alkalinity of your soil. Most food grows at a pH of 5.5 and 7.0. If your soil is below 5.5, add dolomite, a type of crushed mineral, to make it more basic. If it is higher than 7.0, use pine needles or peat moss to make it more acidic. [6] X Trustworthy Source Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations Specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for leading international efforts to end world hunger and improve nutrition Go to source
- You can find a test probe or strips at most garden stores.
- You can buy dolomite at most garden stores.
-
Break the ground with a plow or a tiller. Clear away any large stones, roots and limbs, heavy accumulation of vegetation, and other debris before tilling. Use a rototiller or a plow to disrupt your soil and turn over the top layer. This will make the nutrients in your soil more readily available and allow the top layer of soil to refresh itself. [7] X Research source
- To sustain a 4-person family, use 12,000 square feet (1,100 m 2 ) of land to grow vegetables and grains. [8] X Research source
Tip: On a small plot of land, you can use a pick, shovel, and hoe to till your land instead.
-
Lay rows with a hoe or a plow. Mark out the area you intend to plant. Use a hoe or plow to create a slightly raised bed in the loose soil in a line across the length of the plot. Next, make a shallow groove cut in the soil with your rototiller and a furrow attachment. Do this until your growing area is covered in rows. [9] X Research source
- You can rent rototillers and their attachments at many hardware stores.
- Alternatively use a disk harrow to create vertical and horizontal rows.
-
Place your seeds in the furrows at the depth they require. The depth of planting may vary according to your choice of plants. Check on the back of your seed packet to find out the best depth for your plant. Make a small hole with your fingers and place 2 to 3 seeds in each hole.
- Plants like legumes and melons, squash, cucumbers are planted between 3 ⁄ 4 inch (1.9 cm) and 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep, and corn and potatoes may be planted 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) to 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) deep.
- You can also start seeds indoors and transplant them after they have sprouted.
-
Cover the seeds in soil and gently pack down the dirt. This will prevent the seed bed from drying out in the sun. Use the palm of your hand to press down on top of the seeds you planted. Make sure they are covered all the way so they don’t get eaten by animals. Continue this process until you have the number of rows you planned on planting.
Advertisement
-
Water your garden every day during the summer. The sun can dry out and kill your crops if they do not have enough water to replenish themselves. Use a garden hose or a sprinkler system to water your crops thoroughly every day from May to September. If the temperature reaches above 90 °F (32 °C), water your crops twice a day. [10] X Research source
- Winter crops like rye do not need to be watered unless it is a particularly dry winter.
-
Weed your garden if it is getting overrun. Because you are planting this crop in rows, you will be able to walk the center area between rows. Remove any weeds by hand that sprout up during your growing season. Make sure you get the root of the weed when you pull it so that it doesn’t grow back. [11] X Research source
- Weeds are much easier to pull in loose or wet soil.
- Try not to disturb the roots of your crop as you weed.
-
Deter pests with fences and natural sprays. If you see leaves that have been eaten, it could be a sign of insects or vermin. Use a chicken-wire fence to keep out small animals like mice and rabbits. Remove and kill insects as you find them, or use a natural deterrent like peppermint oil to keep pests away. [12] X Research source
Tip: Make a peppermint spray by combining 2 drops of peppermint essential oil and 1 gallon (3,800 mL) of water. Mist the leaves of your crops once a day to keep common insects away.
-
Harvest your crops when they are ripe. Many common garden vegetables are harvested as they become ripe, and continue to produce throughout the growing season with proper care. Grains, on the other hand, are most often harvested when they are fully ripened and dry on the plant. Use sharp, clean gardening tools to pick or cut your crops so you don’t damage the plants. [13] X Research source
-
Preserve your food if you can’t eat it all. If you have grown grains, use barns which will keep your stored harvest dry and safe from insects and vermin. A combination of storage and preservation methods are the best way to reduce food waste. Drying, canning, freezing, and bedding are all viable options for storing food. [14] X Research source
- Bedding is a method for storing root crops such as potatoes, rutabagas, and beets. Lay your root crops in a dry, cool location on a straw bed.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Search
-
QuestionWhat are the easiest vegetables to grow?Sue Ferreri is the Executive Director of the Rockland Farm Alliance in Rockland County, New York. The Rockland Farm Alliance is a non-profit broad-based coalition of farmers, community activists, local officials, and interested citizens with a simple mission to preserve, create, and enhance sustainable food production in Rockland County. Sue grew up farming and now helps farmers get organically certified and supports them in creating their businesses. She studied Business Management at Millersville University and Community Development and Viticulture at Stellenbosch University in South Africa.Tomatoes, beans, peppers, and potatoes are the easiest. Those are four vegetables that are great for cultivating if you're just starting out.
-
QuestionWhere can I go to find out which groups grow best in my area?Community AnswerYou can talk to local horticulturalists, garden centers, or planting groups.
-
QuestionHow should I cultivate vining vegetables?Community AnswerVining vegetables can be cultivated with a trellis, which is an interconnecting structure of wood with holes all over so the vine can wrap around it. Single vining vegetables can also be staked with a pole so that the vine grows around the pole.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Video
Tips
- Look at outside sources of food to supplement your farming effort, like fishing, gathering wild berries and nuts, and edible plants growing wild in your region.Thanks
- Talk with your neighbors about sharing your crops once they are harvested. It is easier to manage a smaller number of different crops, and you may be able to grow enough of some of your selection of food for two families.Thanks
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
Warnings
- Make sure you clean your gardening tools before each use in order to keep the food clean.Thanks
Advertisement
References
- ↑ https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/vegetables/growing-vegetables-pacific-northwest-coastal-region
- ↑ https://www.sunset.com/garden/fruits-veggies/planting-caring-fruit-trees
- ↑ https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/grain/
- ↑ https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/grain/
- ↑ https://awaytogarden.com/10-top-tips-for-growing-root-vegetables/
- ↑ http://www.fao.org/soils-2015/news/news-detail/en/c/277682/
- ↑ http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/ericeproduction/I.1_Why_till_the_land_.htm
- ↑ https://www.growveg.com/guides/growing-enough-food-to-feed-a-family/
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV-yqOtTd5Y&feature=youtu.be&t=14
- ↑ https://www.almanac.com/content/when-water-your-vegetable-garden-watering-chart
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ojl28uJeUo&feature=youtu.be&t=98
- ↑ https://www.farmersalmanac.com/how-to-keep-pests-out-of-your-garden-naturally
- ↑ https://www.almanac.com/vegetable-gardening-for-beginners
- ↑ https://newfarmers.usda.gov/make-farm-business-plan
About This Article
Article Summary
X
If you’re interested in growing your own food, start by choosing the vegetables, fruits and grains that you wish to grow. Consider leafy greens like cabbage and lettuce, which provide a wide range of essential vitamins and minerals. Choose potatoes and beets for complex carbohydrates, as well as minerals. If you’re looking for a grain that’s easy to grow, try corn, which can be stored as whole cobs right after harvesting. For more information, including how to choose the right crops and varieties for you growing region, keep reading.
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 534,058 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "I do a lot of gardening in my personal life. However, adapting that experience to structure a program for student learners requires a different mindset and instructional structure." ..." more
Advertisement
100%
of readers found this article helpful
.
Click a star to add your vote
% of people told us that this article helped them.
"I do a lot of gardening in my personal life. However, adapting that experience to structure a program for student learners requires a different mindset and instructional structure."
..."
more
"Knowing how to lay out a garden in limited space is essential, otherwise the vines tend to grow over the top of each other, and the vegetables are hard to harvest."
..."
more
"Nice article. If I were going to plant a garden, I would print and save the information. I am not planning to at this time, but the information was interesting."
..."
more
"I'm in an apartment so I really have to plan what I can grow on my balcony in containers. It's given me something positive to work on."
..."
more
"This is awesome. We haven't had a garden in a few years, but plan on having a large one this year. This was perfect timing!"
..."
more
