Backyard Farm : Starting the Vegetable Garden

Now that you have a good idea of where you will plant your garden, let's get started.

There are many reasons for deciding to use raised beds instead of plowing up your yard.  One very good reason is that it saves your back from a good deal of muscle strain.  With a raised bed there is no need to get down to ground level.

Other reasons are since the soil is above grade it warms up a bit faster and they are easier to maintain.

Pictured here, from FIX.com, are several options for building
materials for raised beds.

Also, see my posting Project #2  Building Raised Beds using 2"x8"x10' lumber.

Building raised beds.

Fill the beds with garden soil, compost, a sand/peat moss mix, or a mix any or of all of these.  The sand/peat moss mix must be combined with some sore of fertilizer such as compost.

If you have decided to plant directly into the ground you will
need to remove the sod and turn the soil to at least 12 inches
depth to loosen it.  Once completed add compost, manure, or other organic fertilizer and work it into the soil.  Continue as you would if using raised beds by raking and preparing planting areas.

Meanwhile, as you build the beds or till the soil, start your
seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before outdoor planting time.

This handy grow chart from
TheGardenCentral.com will help you to get your seeds started.

There are many choices as to what to use as containers for your seedlings.

Peat pots, etc are good, but they can get costly especially when you are starting hundreds of seeds.

Seeds can be planted directly in bags of potting/garden soil.
Simply lay the bag flat and cut away an opening on the top of the bag.  Leave a good
"frame" around the bag so the soil doesn't fall out.  Use different bags for each vegetable.  (I used this method to grow my first garden start to finish)

Plastic drinking cups, muffin tins, roasting pans all make suitable containers for your growing medium and seedlings.

Also, if you have plenty of water bottles handy, cut off the tops and bottoms a few inches from each end.  Plant the seeds in the bottom, and use the top portion as a cap turning it into a miniature greenhouse.

ALWAYS plant more seeds than you intend to use in the garden since not all the seeds may germinate.

While your seeds are getting started indoors, continue preparing the garden outdoors by installing trellises, fencing, growing cages, etc.

These are some sources I found in my search for organic and heirloom seeds:

FRUITION SEEDS  .............  www.FruitionSeeds.com
5920 County Rd 33
Canadaigua, NY 14424
585-300-0699

IRISH EYES GARDEN SEEDS........   www.IrishEyesGardenSeeds.com
5045 Robinson Canyon Road
Ellensburg, WA 98926
509-933-7150

HIGH MOWING ORGANIC SEEDS ......   www.HighMowingSeeds.com
76 Quarry Road
Wolcott, VT 05680
802-472-6174

HEIRLOOM SOLUTIONS...     www.HeirloomSolutions.com
2200 Illinois Route 84
PO Box487
Thompson, IL 61285
800-280-3465
815-259-0120

BOTANICAL INTERESTS ...    www.BotanicalInterests.com
660 Compton St
Broomfield, CO 80020
877-821-4340

D. LANDRETH SEED COMPANY....   www.LandrethSeeds.com
60 E. High Street Bldg.4
New Freedom, PA 17349
717-227-1110

R. H. SHUMWAY SEEDSMAN.....    www.RHShumway.com
334 W. Stroud St.
Randolph, WI 53956
800-342-9461

SELECT SEEDS  .....     www.SelectSeeds.com
180 Stickney Road
Union, CT 06076
800-684-0395

SELF RELIANCE STRATEGIES .....   www.SelfRelianceStrategies.com
1121 Settlers Loop
Geneva, FL 32732
321-348-4113

SOUTHERN EXPOSURE SEED EXCHANGE ....  www.SouthernExposure.com
PO BOX 460
Mineral, VA 23117
540-894-9480

WHITE OAK VALLEY FARM   ..... www.WhiteOakValleyFarm.com
PO BOX 1198
Collegedale, TN 37315