What This Post Covers

• What to Put Under a Raised Bed
• How Tall Should Raised Beds Be?
• How to Fill Tall Raised Beds (Over 18 Inches)
• Don’t Forget In-Bed Vermicomposting Bins
• How to Fill Raised Garden Beds With the Right Soil Mix
• First-Year Fertility Tips
• Why Soil Level Drops Over Time
• Frequently Asked Questions: How to Fill Raised Garden Beds

What to Put Under a Raised Bed

Before adding any soil, take a close look at what’s underneath your bed.

• If your yard has decorative rock, pull it back so the bed sits directly on the soil beneath.
• Plain soil? Set the bed directly on top without any issues.
• If you have Bermuda grass, line the bottom of the bed with several layers of overlapping cardboard. This helps smother the grass and prevent it from growing up into your raised bed. For even more protection, add a layer of water-permeable fabric weed barrier underneath the cardboard. The fabric allows water to drain while keeping stubborn Bermuda roots from invading your bed.

To see step-by-step methods for dealing with Bermuda grass before installing raised beds, read this guide on how to remove Bermuda grass.

Tip: I like to dig down a few inches and bury my raised beds slightly. This gives you the benefits of a raised bed—defined space, improved soil, and easier access–along with the cooler soil temperatures of in-ground gardening. This is especially helpful in hot climates.

How Tall Should Raised Beds Be?

Most of my raised beds are 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) tall, and I recommend filling them all the way to the top with high-quality raised bed mix.

If your beds are taller than that, you have the option to use filler material in the bottom. This helps reduce costs and still creates excellent growing conditions for your plants.

How to Fill Tall Raised Beds (Over 18 Inches / 45 cm)

If your raised bed is taller than 18 inches (45 cm), you don’t need to fill the entire thing with raised bed mix. You can use logs, branches, or mulch in the lower section to save on soil costs and improve long-term soil health.

This method is based on the idea of hugelkultur, which uses organic material like wood to fill the bottom portion of a raised bed. As the wood breaks down, it enriches the soil and helps retain moisture.

If you’re wondering how to fill raised garden beds without wasting soil or spending too much money, here’s what I recommend.

How Much Filler to Use

The amount of filler you use depends on the total height of your bed. You can use up to several feet of logs or branches if the bed is tall enough. The most important part is to ensure that the top 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) is filled with quality raised bed mix. That top layer is where plant roots will grow and where good soil matters most.

Quick Tip
For extra-tall beds, fill the bottom portion with natural wood like logs or branches, then top off the final 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) with high-quality raised bed soil.

What to Use

• Logs or branches from untreated, natural wood. Firewood works well.
• Coarse mulch or compost if logs are not available.

Avoid using treated lumber, plywood, or any wood that has been painted or stained. These materials can leach chemicals into the soil and harm your plants.

Mulch vs. Logs – Which Is Better?

• Logs and branches decompose slowly and hold their shape longer. They help build healthy soil over time and improve structure and moisture retention.
• Mulch or compost breaks down more quickly and works well too, but the soil will settle significantly during the first season. If you use mulch as the main filler, be prepared to add more soil sooner to keep the bed filled.

How to Fill Raised Garden Beds With the Right Soil Mix

If your raised bed is 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) tall, fill it all the way up with quality raised bed mix.

For years, I mixed my own using a combination of compost, coconut coir, perlite, worm castings, and other ingredients. You can learn how to make your own in this guide to raised bed soil.

Now I work with Arizona Worm Farm, they created a custom mix that includes:

• Organic compost
• Coconut coir
• Perlite
• Basalt rock dust
• High-quality worm castings

If you live in the Phoenix valley, it is worth the drive to pick some up, and they also offer delivery.

For gardeners outside of Arizona, look for a local supplier that offers a raised bed mix made with fresh compost, a moisture-retaining material like coir or peat, a drainage aid like perlite or vermiculite, and worm castings. These are the key ingredients to look for in a raised bed mix.

Wondering what terms like “compost” or “vermiculite” really mean? My Gardening Glossary explains practical gardening vocabulary in plain language, so you always know what to do in your garden.

Don’t Forget In-Bed Vermicomposting Bins

As you fill your beds, it’s a great time to add an in-bed worm composting bin. It’s simple to set up and gives your garden a steady supply of worm castings right where your plants need them.

Learn how to make one in this guide to in-bed worm composting. From soil amendments to watering essentials, these are my go-to garden supplies.

First-Year Fertility Tips

The first season in a new raised bed is often the hardest. Even with great compost and soil, the microbiology in your soil hasn’t had time to develop yet.

To help your plants grow well their first season, I recommend adding a balanced organic fertilizer when you plant. This gives your garden a good start while soil biology gets established.

Over time, your soil improves with each season—especially if you consistently amend with compost and worm castings. I usually do this twice a year, in spring and fall. Here’s a guide that walks through how to amend garden soil.

Why Soil Level Drops Over Time

It’s normal for the soil level in your raised bed to settle over time. That’s a good sign. It means the organic matter is being used and broken down by your plants and soil life.

Just add more compost and worm castings as needed to keep the bed full and thriving.

Frequently Asked Questions: How to Fill Raised Garden Beds

Understanding how to fill raised garden beds properly makes all the difference. With the right layers and soil care, your garden improves over time.

The post How to Fill Raised Garden Beds appeared first on Growing In The Garden.

Choose Healthy Tomato Transplants

Start with strong, healthy tomato transplants. Look for plants with vibrant green leaves, a thick, sturdy stem, and no signs of pests or disease. Avoid transplants that are leggy, have yellowing leaves, or are already flowering.

If you started your own tomato plants from seed, be sure to harden them off properly before planting to reduce transplant shock. Learn how to harden off transplants in this blog post.

If you’re planting when temperatures are still hot (like during Arizona’s fall planting window), choose larger transplants with a well-developed rootball. These plants are more resilient in the heat—their roots can reach deeper moisture and are less likely to dry out quickly.

If you’re gardening in Arizona or another hot climate, choosing the right variety is key to success. Some types of tomatoes struggle in extreme heat. Read this guide to find the best tomato varieties for the desert.

Tip: Look for determinate varieties for earlier harvests, or heat-tolerant indeterminate types for longer production during Arizona’s two growing seasons.

Amend the Soil Before Planting Tomatoes

Tomatoes are heavy feeders, so preparing the soil is essential for a healthy, productive plant.
Before planting, top the planting area with a generous layer of worm castings and compost.

If your soil is low in nutrients, apply a balanced organic fertilizer and follow the package directions for application rates. This article explains more about how to prepare your soil for planting.

If you’re planting in raised beds or containers, starting with the right soil is key. Here’s my guide to the best soil mix for raised bed vegetable gardening.

Avoid overloading the soil with nitrogen-rich amendments. Too much nitrogen promotes leafy growth at the expense of fruit production. Choose a balanced fertilizer like 4-4-4 or 5-5-5 when amending soil for tomatoes

Select a Sunny Location

Tomatoes thrive in full sun. Choose a spot that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Sunlight is essential for flowering and fruit production.

If you’re planting monsoon-season tomatoes, pay close attention to the angle of the sun. As fall approaches and days get shorter, areas that were once sunny may become shaded. Even though it’s still hot, plant in your sunniest location to give your tomatoes enough light to keep producing into fall and early winter. You can always provide temporary shade during the hottest part of the day if needed.

Also consider frost pockets. Are there areas in your yard more prone to freezing? Avoid those for fall-planted tomatoes if you hope to extend your harvest.

For spring-planted tomatoes, look for a location that gets strong morning sun and possibly some afternoon shade, especially in hot climates like Arizona.

It’s also important to rotate your tomato planting area each season. Growing tomatoes in the same spot year after year can lead to a buildup of soil-borne pests and diseases.

Tip: In small gardens, consider growing tomatoes in large containers or raised beds that can be moved or adjusted to maximize sunlight and minimize the risk from cold snaps.

Provide Support for Tomatoes

Tomatoes are vining plants that need support to grow well. Without it, branches can break under the weight of the fruit, and foliage that touches the soil is more prone to disease.

Indeterminate tomatoes grow tall and need a strong, tall trellis or cage to stay upright and productive. Determinate varieties like Roma are more compact and often do well with a large tomato cage.

I use the Garden in Minutes Tomato Cages in my garden. They are tall, sturdy, and can be used in raised beds, in-ground gardens, and containers. They fold flat for easy storage and last for years. Use code Angela10 to save $10 off orders over $100, or code ANGELA to save 7% on any order.

Providing support early keeps plants growing upright and makes pruning, harvesting, and checking for pests easier throughout the season. Install supports at the time of planting if possible to avoid damaging roots later.

Give Tomatoes Enough Room to Grow
Space tomato plants about 2 feet (60 cm) apart to give them room to grow and spread. Good spacing improves air circulation, which helps prevent issues like powdery mildew and other fungal diseases.

Crowded plants are more likely to develop problems and are harder to prune, water, and harvest.

Tip: In smaller spaces or container gardens, pruning lower leaves and using vertical supports can help maximize airflow and reduce disease risk even if spacing is tight.

Prepare the Planting Hole

Tomatoes develop roots along their buried stems, so planting deeply helps create a stronger, more resilient plant. The soil should be at least 12 to 18 inches deep (30 to 45 cm) to support deep rooting and stable soil temperatures.

Dig a hole deep enough to bury the stem up to the top few sets of leaves. If your soil isn’t deep enough to plant vertically, lay the plant on its side in a trench and gently bend the top upward. Both methods encourage strong root development.

Plant Tomatoes Deeply

Before planting, remove the lower leaves from the transplant, leaving just the top few sets. Place the plant in the hole so that the stem is buried up to those remaining leaves.

Tomatoes form roots along the buried stem, which helps anchor the plant and improves its access to water and nutrients. Whether planting vertically or laying the stem sideways in a trench, deep planting leads to stronger, healthier plants.

Tip: Gently firm the soil around the base after planting to eliminate air pockets and support the stem.

Fill and Water

After placing the transplant in the hole, fill it with the displaced soil, pressing gently to remove air pockets. Water thoroughly to help the plant settle in and ensure the roots make good contact with the soil.

Tip: In hot climates like Arizona, soil dries out quickly. It’s important to keep the root zone consistently moist while the plant is getting established.

In containers, using an olla can help maintain even moisture. I use GrowOya ollas in my garden. In raised beds, I rely on the Garden in Minutes watering grids for even and efficient watering.

However you water, don’t let new transplants dry out. Monitor them closely for the first couple of weeks. Once you begin to see new growth, that’s a sign the plant is settling in. At that point, shift to deep, less frequent watering to encourage strong, deep root development.

Remove Early Tomato Blossoms and Add Mulch

As tempting as it is to let those first flowers develop, remove any blossoms during the first 2 to 3 weeks after planting. This allows the plant to put its energy into developing strong roots and healthy foliage, setting the stage for better production later in the season.

Once the plant is in and watered, add 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm) of mulch around the base. Mulch helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and reduce weed growth. Learn more about mulching in this article.

In hot climates, mulching is essential to help your tomato plants survive and thrive. Organic mulches like shredded leaves, straw, or pine needles work well and break down to improve the soil over time.

Monitor Young Plants

Once your tomatoes are planted, don’t walk away. The first few weeks are critical for helping them get established.

Water as needed, especially in hot or windy conditions. Watch for signs of stress like wilted leaves or sunscald, and provide temporary shade if planting during hot weather.

Keep an eye out for pests and disease. Early intervention can prevent bigger problems down the road.

Adjust or add support as the plant grows, and prune any damaged or yellowing lower leaves to improve airflow and reduce disease pressure.

As you begin to see new growth, it’s a good sign your tomato plant is adjusting well. From here, continue with regular deep watering, occasional feeding, and pruning if needed.

Bonus Tip: Add Companion Plants

I love planting marigolds, alyssum, and basil around my tomatoes.

• Alyssum attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that help keep pests in check.
• Marigolds help deter pests like nematodes and aphids.
• Basil not only grows well alongside tomatoes but may even improve their flavor.

Adding companion plants is a simple way to support pollinators, manage pests naturally, and make your garden more beautiful and productive.

Want to learn more? Read my guide to companion planting.

These steps for planting tomatoes will give your tomato plants the best possible start and hopefully give you basketsful of harvested tomatoes. Read the complete guide to pruning peppers, tomatoes, and eggplants after winter here.

More Tomato Growing Resources on My Blog:

• How to Grow Tomatoes in Arizona – 10 Tips for Growing Tomatoes
• Prevent Blossom End Rot: Tips for Healthy Tomatoes
• Turning Green Tomatoes Red: 4 Ways to Ripen Green Tomatoes
• Tomatoes for the Desert: Best Varieties for Arizona
• How to Revive and Prune Over-Summered Tomatoes in Arizona

If this post about how to plant tomatoes was helpful, please share it.

The post How to Plant Tomatoes: A Step-by-Step Guide appeared first on Growing In The Garden.

What We Will Cover:

• Benefits of Vegetable Gardening in Arizona
• Challenges of Vegetable Gardening in Arizona
• 7 Principles for Success
  • Choose the best location for your garden
  • Use the best type of soil to plant vegetables in Arizona
  • Plant vegetables at the right time in Arizona
  • Select the appropriate varieties of vegetables when gardening in Arizona
  • Take advantage of microclimates in your yard
  • Water your Arizona vegetable garden correctly
  • Mulch garden each season (especially in the summer)
• Vegetable Gardening in Arizona FAQ

Growing a successful vegetable garden in Arizona is certainly possible. However, it is important to understand that Arizona has a unique climate for gardening with distinct benefits and challenges.

Some of the benefits of vegetable gardening in Arizona:

• Abundant citrus – only 2 other states (Florida and California) grow citrus commercially. 
• Ability to garden outdoors year-round. 
• Abundant sunshine – necessary for all living things.

A few of the challenges of vegetable gardening in Arizona:

• Extreme heat. A few vegetables (okra, Malabar spinach, Armenian cucumbers) tolerate the heat and continue producing. Some die, and others go dormant, only to take off again when the humidity sets in in late July or August. 
• Low humidity. Many desert-adapted plants such as cactus, succulents, and plants with waxy leaves are adapted to less humidity. However, most vegetables and garden plants need more moisture in the air to grow well in the low desert of Arizona. 
• Native clay soil is great for desert-adapted plants and contains many minerals. However, it is alkaline and low in organic matter. Most garden plants prefer slightly acidic soil and need the added nutrients of organic matter. 
• Caliche causes several problems including poor drainage.

7 principles for successful vegetable gardening in Arizona

Growing a successful vegetable garden in Arizona is possible when you understand these 7 principles.

If you are just getting started with gardening, this beginner’s guide is a great place to begin. It pulls together my most helpful resources for new gardeners and walks you through the first steps toward a thriving garden.

1. Choose the best location for your garden

Vegetable gardens need at least 6 hours of sun to grow and thrive. We have an abundance of sun, but the type of sunlight we get varies.

• Morning sun is ideal for a vegetable garden; its rays are strong and cool. The harsh afternoon sun is harder on gardens in the summer.
• Take a look around your yard at sunrise and notice where morning light first hits your garden, and then if you can, plant there! 
• If your garden area gets afternoon sun, you will probably need to provide some shade for certain plants during the summer. 
• Check sun exposure using Sun Seeker app (or similar). This allows you to see the amount of sunlight each area receives. 
• Not sure how much sun your veggies need? Check out this guide on Which Vegetables Need Shade (and Which Thrive in Full Sun) to help your garden thrive.
• There should also be a water source nearby or within a hose distance.

Adding raised beds to create your garden? This article shares 10 tips for designing raised bed gardens.

2. Use the best type of soil to plant vegetables in Arizona

It is possible to grow vegetables in the native soil; however, most native soil is best adapted to growing native plants, not garden vegetables. 

Because Arizona’s growing seasons are shorter, we ask a lot of the vegetables we grow – they need to sprout, grow, and produce during a short amount of time. 

For the best chance of success, it’s important to give plants what they need to thrive in desert conditions. This blog post shares more information about the best soil for raised beds. 

Continue adding compost and organic matter each season and the soil in your raised beds will improve each year. This blog post shares more information about how to compost.

3. Plant vegetables at the right time in Arizona

Gardening in Arizona is different, but not impossible. We have different seasons than most. Zone maps on the back of seed packets and other zone maps don’t usually work here. Instead of one long growing season, we have 3 shorter planting seasons: 

1. Cool-season crops grow from around September to March; 
2. Warm-season crops grow from about February through May; and 
3. Monsoon planting begins with the increased rain and humidity of July or August. 

Use a research-based planting guide designed for the low desert to take the guesswork out of when to plant during each of these different seasons. Planting the right crop at the right time will increase the chance of success.

Perpetual Vegetable, Fruit & Herb Calendar shows you when to plant vegetables in the low desert of Arizona and whether to plant seeds or transplants. See it in my shop.

4. Select the appropriate varieties of vegetables when gardening in Arizona

• Choose short-season crops. When you have a choice between two crops, and one has shorter “days to harvest,” go with the shorter one. The low desert of Arizona has several growing seasons, but the seasons are shorter, and crops have less time to produce. Smaller varieties of tomatoes and melons often outperform their larger counterparts. 
• Choose plants adapted to our growing conditions in Arizona.  Native Seeds Search offers arid-adapted seed varieties that tolerate the heat and drought of an Arizona summer better than varieties better suited to other regions. I grow Chimayo melons and Hopi yellow watermelons from Native Seeds Search each year. 

Not sure what to plant or how to grow it? The Ultimate Plant Index covers everything from vegetables and herbs to flowers and fruits—organized A–Z for easy browsing. It’s your go-to resource when you’re planning your garden or seeking care tips.

5. Take advantage of microclimates in your yard

Some parts of the yard will be warmer or cooler than others. Use those areas to your advantage by growing plants whose requirements match up to the specific microclimate available. 

Notice in your yard which areas receive the most sun and shade during different seasons of the year. Learn the sun requirements and heat tolerance of different plants. Consider adding shade parts of the garden that need it during the hottest times of the year. Take advantage of the shade provided by larger plants to interplant different crops.

Wondering if your garden really needs shade? In Why Add Shade to Your Garden in Summer, I share how shade protects plants, conserves water, and extends your growing season.

This blog post shares more information about how to add shade to your garden.

6. Water your Arizona vegetable garden correctly

Vegetables and fruits do not produce well if they are stressed. Problems in the garden can often be traced back to watering – not enough, too much, or inconsistent water. Plants become stressed and are more prone to diseases and insects. 

General principles for watering your vegetable garden in Arizona include: 

• Spend time in your garden each day. You will notice the watering needs of your plants and be alerted to issues with your watering system.
• Pay attention to the weather – Plants require more water when it is dry, windy, and in the summer heat. During the summer in hot areas like Arizona, raised-bed gardens often need watering every day. Other times of the year, the raised beds may only need to be watered 1-2 times per week. Adjust the frequency of the timer for seasonal conditions.
• Water deep enough to moisten the plant’s entire root system each time you water. Adjust the frequency of watering, not the duration of watering. 
• Water in the morning. Wilted leaves at midday don’t necessarily mean a plant needs water; always test soil a couple of inches deep to see if soil is dry before giving droopy plants more water. They will probably recover once the sun goes down.
• Water the soil – not the leaves of plants. This saves water as well as prevents many plant diseases. 

Want to learn more about watering? This article shares more information about the best way to water raised-bed gardens.

7. Mulch garden each season (especially in the summer)

Add a 3-inch layer of organic mulch on top of the soil around your vegetables. Mulching helps an Arizona vegetable garden in several ways:

• Mulching helps prevent weeds which can harbor pests and diseases, and compete for limited resources of nutrients, light, and water.
• A thick layer of mulch helps protect roots from extremes in temperatures.
• Mulching helps preserve moisture. 

Read this article to learn more about how to mulch your garden.

Vegetable gardening in Arizona comes with unique challenges, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. My Desert Gardening page brings together all my Arizona vegetable gardening resources—from monthly planting schedules to tips for summer heat and winter frost protection—so you can grow a productive garden year-round.

Vegetable Gardening in Arizona FAQ

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The post Vegetable Gardening in Arizona (2025 Guide for Desert Gardeners) appeared first on Growing In The Garden.

They’re also convenient. With no bending required, these beds are perfect for patios, balconies, and narrow side yards—especially if you need to chase the sun or escape the heat.

In this post, I’ll how to set up and use elevated garden beds to make the most of a small growing space.

Looking for the bed I use? Click here to see it on Vego Garden and use one of my discount codes.

Here’s what we will cover:

• Why Use an Elevated Garden Bed?
• Challenges of Elevated Beds (and How to Manage Them)
• Best Soil Mix for Elevated Beds
• Watering Elevated Beds with Ollas
• What to Plant in Elevated Beds (and Why It Matters)
• Placement and Microclimate Tips
• Final Thoughts on Elevated Garden Beds

Why Use an Elevated Garden Bed?

There are a lot of good reasons to garden in an elevated bed, especially if you’re short on space or looking for a more convenient way to grow:

• They’re easier on your back, with no bending required.
• The compact size fits patios, balconies, and narrow side yards.
• Beds with locking casters can be moved to catch winter sun or escape summer heat.
• Soil warms up faster in cooler months, helping cool-season crops grow more quickly.
• They’re tidy, low-maintenance, and perfect for beginning gardeners.

Unlike a collection of separate containers, elevated beds let your crops share space and soil, much like a traditional raised bed.

That shared environment encourages healthier plant growth, easier watering, and better use of space. And because they’re portable, you get the flexibility of containers without losing the benefits of a cohesive garden bed.

Challenges of Elevated Beds (and How to Manage Them)

Elevated beds do have a few challenges, especially in hot, dry climates. Because they’re exposed on all sides, the soil heats up and cools down faster than in-ground beds. This leads to more frequent drying and greater temperature swings, which can stress plants.

Here’s how to manage those challenges:

• Fill the bed all the way to the top. Shallow soil dries out faster and offers less insulation for roots.
• Use mulch to moderate soil temperature. In both hot and cold weather, a 2–3 inch layer of mulch helps insulate the soil surface.
• Use ollas or other deep watering methods to help maintain steady moisture levels, especially in summer.
• Skip adding in-bed vermicomposting bins. These beds can get too hot in summer for worms to thrive. Instead, mix in worm castings for long-lasting nutrition.
• Be mindful of placement. In winter, place beds in a sunny spot to warm the soil. In summer, move them into filtered light or add shade with a pergola or cloth.
• Protect from temperature extremes. During heat waves or cold snaps, move the bed to a sheltered location if possible, or use shade cloth or frost protection.
• Watch the surface underneath. Elevated beds drain well, but that runoff can stain concrete or tile. Place a mat, tray, or other barrier if needed.

For more detailed strategies, see my post on growing in elevated beds in hot climates.

Best Soil Mix for Elevated Beds

Soil quality matters even more in small beds. I always fill beds to the rim, which allows for deeper roots and better moisture retention.

Here’s what I use:

• High-quality raised bed mix (I recommend the raised bed mix from Arizona Worm Farm)
• Worm castings – Learn about the benefits of worm castings in this guide.

More tips here: Best Soil for Raised Beds

Watering Elevated Beds with Ollas

Using ollas is my favorite way to water elevated beds. These buried clay pots slowly release water right at the root zone, helping keep moisture levels consistent, especially important in hot, dry climates where soil can dry out quickly.

• In a 4-foot bed, I use two medium-sized ollas
• In a 6-foot bed, I use three medium-sized ollas

You can find the ones I use here: GrowOya

Once buried, only the neck of the olla is visible. I keep an eye on the water level, when it drops, the surrounding soil may be dry and need more water. If the olla stays full, the surrounding soil is probably still moist.

This method not only conserves water but also encourages deeper root growth and healthier plants.

What to Plant in Elevated Beds (and Why It Matters)

Maximize the space in elevated beds by choosing dwarf or compact varieties of your favorite crops. These varieties are easier to manage in smaller spaces and still provide abundant harvests. Follow the Square Foot Spacing Guidelines to make the most of every inch.

Plant a mix of vegetables, herbs, and flowers to support pollination and build a small ecosystem that welcomes beneficial insects. This diversity helps with pest control, increases biodiversity, and creates a more productive, resilient garden.

Try pairing:

• Compact vegetables (like bush beans or patio tomatoes)
• Upright or columnar herbs (such as ‘Emerald Towers’ basil or parsley)
• Flowers (like dwarf zinnias or calendula)

For more ideas, check out my lists of favorite warm-season companion plants and cool-season companion plants.

Placement and Microclimate Tips

Elevated beds perform best when they’re matched to the season and microclimate of your space. In cooler months, place the bed in full sun to take advantage of every bit of warmth and light. This helps soil stay warmer and supports faster growth of cool-season crops.

In the summer, it’s a different story. Elevated beds heat up quickly, so it’s best to position them where they’ll receive morning sun and afternoon shade—enough light for healthy growth without the stress of peak heat.

If you’re gardening in a hot climate, avoid placing beds next to block walls or concrete surfaces that reflect and radiate heat. Beds with casters are ideal—move them throughout the year to chase the sun in winter and escape the heat in summer.

Elevated garden beds can be a game changer in hot climates, but a thoughtful layout makes all the difference. Read these articles for practical design ideas and functional layouts to help you plan a garden that works with your space.

Final Thoughts on Elevated Garden Beds

Elevated garden beds are a great option for new gardeners, small yards, and anyone who wants to grow food without the strain of bending over.

With good soil, smart crop choices, and the right placement, you can grow a lot—even in a small footprint.

Looking for more small-space gardening inspiration? Check out:

• Cinderblock Garden setup video (blog post coming soon!)
• GreenStalk Gardening Guide Blog Post and GreenStalk YouTube Video
• Beginner’s Guide to Container Gardening

Don’t forget—you can shop the bed I use at Vego Garden and use my discount codes to save.

• GROWINGINTHEGARDEN10OFF for $10 off your entire order
• GROWINGINTHEGARDEN5% for 5% off any elevated garden bed

Have questions about elevated bed gardening, or want to share how yours is doing? Leave a comment—I’d love to hear from you.

The post How to Grow in Elevated Garden Beds appeared first on Growing In The Garden.

It might feel like you need “all the things” to start a garden. That’s not true. Start small and start where you are. ⁣My first garden was a 4’x4′ raised bed made from pine boards that Home Depot cut for me. That bed lasted over ten years and grew a huge amount of food.

Starting a garden on a budget does not have to be daunting. Good advice to follow is, “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” Here are ten simple ways to start your garden without breaking the bank:

Article Outline:

1. Start Small
2. Reuse and Recycle
3. Swap Seeds and Plants
4. Make Your Own Compost
5. Choose Perennials
6. Grow from Seeds
7. Water Wisely
8. DIY Vertical Garden Structures
9. Use Natural Pest Control
10. Choose High-Yield Crops
11. Find Ways to Use Your Harvests

Bonus Tip

1. Start Small:

To minimize costs and workload, begin with a small sunken bed or container garden. It’s easier to expand later as your confidence grows. A sunken bed has minimal start-up cost and can be a very effective way to garden. To learn more, read this post about sunken-bed gardening.

2. Reuse and Recycle:

When starting your garden, use items you already have around the house. Old containers, cement blocks, and bathtubs can be used as planters to save money. Think outside the garden box and use the ideas in this blog post about creative container gardening.

Elevated Garden Bed Tips for Hot Climates is a great place to start if you’re working with a small space or just want an easier setup to manage.

3. Swap Seeds and Plants:

Swap seeds or cuttings with friends, neighbors, or online communities. This way, you can get a variety of plants for free.

• Seed packages often contain more seeds than you will use; split packages with friends.
• Learn how to save seeds so you always have some to share.
• Local libraries often have seed libraries where you can check out seeds for free!

Starting a garden can feel overwhelming. Read this guide to help you avoid new gardeners’ most common mistakes.

4. Make Your Own Compost:

Composting kitchen scraps and yard waste will save money on soil amendments and fertilizers. Although this can be daunting at first, begin composting kitchen scraps with in-bed vermicomposting. If you have a large amount of yard waste, learn how to compost in this blog post.

5. Choose Perennials When Starting Your Garden on a Budget:

Perennials come back year after year, saving you money in the long run. Some of my favorite perennials are asparagus, artichokes, Jerusalem artichokes, and strawberries. Learn more about growing perennials in this blog post.

6. Grow from Seeds to Save Money Gardening:

Growing plants from seeds is cheaper than buying seedlings or mature plants. Don’t be intimidated by starting plants from seed. If they have good soil and you start them at the right time, seeds will grow!

7. Water Wisely:

Depending on where you live, water can be an expensive part of gardening. Water in the early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation and save on your water bill. Learn other watering principles in this blog post. Learn how to harvest and channel rainwater here.

Mulch reduces the need for watering and weeding, saving time and money. Places like Chipdrop provide gardeners with free woodchips. Learn more about how to use mulch.

8. DIY Vertical Garden Structures:

Building your own trellises, cages, and supports, instead of buying them, is a simple way to start a garden on a budget. Look around your house or garage and repurpose a ladder or other items. If you want to learn more, read this post about creative vertical gardening ideas.

9. Use Natural Pest Control:

When I started gardening, I thought I needed expensive organic pest control amendments and sprays, such as neem oil. But it turns out that using natural methods like companion planting and adding herbs and flowers to your garden to help control pests is more effective and eliminates the need for expensive products. This will save you money and be better for your garden. Learn more about successful companion planting principles in this blog post.

10. Choose High-Yield Crops When Budget Gardening:

Starting a garden on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t grow delicious food. Grow vegetables that produce a lot of food, like tomatoes, zucchini, and beans. You’ll get large harvests with less expense. Choose crops you enjoy eating so there is less waste. 

11. Find Ways to Use Your harvests

Try growing loofahs and learn how to make your own scrubbers!

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You’ll never need to buy a sponge again—plus, they’re completely sustainable. I love using my loofah sponges for washing dishes or in the shower!

Save on gift-giving by creating thoughtful, homegrown items that friends and family will truly appreciate. Here are some of my favorite ways to use and share my harvest!

• Gifts from the Garden: Homegrown Holiday Ideas
• Holiday Neighbor Gift: Wildflower Seed Packets

Bonus Tip: Learn and Experiment When Starting a Garden on a Budget

The more you learn about gardening, the more you can save. Don’t be afraid to experiment and learn from your mistakes.

Remember, gardening doesn’t have to be expensive. A beautiful and productive garden on a budget is possible with creativity and resourcefulness.  Let me know your best money-saving tips in the comments. 

If you are just getting started with gardening, this beginner’s guide is a great place to begin. It pulls together my most helpful resources for new gardeners and walks you through the first steps toward a thriving garden.

Now that you know how to garden on a budget, here are 8 simple tips to help you get your garden started.

If this post about how to start a garden on a budget was helpful, please share it.

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My earliest gardening memories are with my grandparents in Indiana and Idaho. We did simple things together, like planting flowers and picking beans, but those memories have stayed with me. I wanted to have those same types of memories with my children. Here are ten tips that made involving my five kids in gardening tasks a positive experience. Use these ideas to plant the seeds of a shared love for gardening and nurture a deeper connection with your children.

Article Outline:

1. Give ownership
2. Choose easy-to-grow crops
3. Grow things they like to eat
4. Encourage and trust them
5. When you’re gardening with kids, be positive and make it enjoyable
6. Make gardening with kids a sensory experience
7. Incorporate their interests
8. Enjoy the harvests
9. Find teaching moments while you’re working together
10. Marvel at the miracles
11. Craft with Garden Harvests

1. Give ownership

Let each child take charge of a small area or container so they can have ownership and see results from their actions. This blog post teaches the basic steps for container gardening.

To learn more about gardening in containers, read my book on this topic. Learn more about the book “How to Grow Your Own Food: A Beginner’s Guide to Container Gardening” in this post or purchase the book here.

2. Choose easy-to-grow crops

Plant vegetables with big seeds, such as beans and sunflowers, that are easy for small hands to handle. Choose crops with the shortest time to harvest, like radishes and peas, for quick results. Check a local planting guide (I have one in my shop) to ensure that you’re planting at the right time so that the seeds will sprout and grow well. This blog post lists ten easy-to-grow crops.

3. Grow things they like to eat

Research the crops your family enjoys eating and determine the best time and method to plant them. Do you love strawberries? Are carrots and broccoli favorites? They are excellent choices for kids’ gardens when planted at the right time. Growing their favorite foods can make gardening more exciting and rewarding for children. 

4. Encourage and trust them  

The tasks will vary depending on age and ability, but it’s essential to encourage kids to do whatever they can in the garden. We often learn more from our mistakes than our successes. It might be messier or take longer, but they will feel a sense of accomplishment. Simple jobs for young children include dumping, watering, and planting.

As children get older, look for ways to show trust in their abilities and give them more complicated jobs. They will surprise you! And most importantly, they will feel proud of their contributions. 

5. When you’re gardening with kids, be positive and make it enjoyable

Focus on the positive in their actions instead of just pointing out mistakes. Try to make it a game. If there are weeds, challenge everyone to pull 20 and “see how quickly we can finish!” Keep gardening sessions short. It’s better to do a little bit each day than to have long sessions where they get tired and worn out.

6. Make gardening with kids a sensory experience

Let children experience the sensation of dirt in their hands and the strong-smelling scents of herbs like basil and mint and flowers like sweet peas. Found a worm? Watch it wriggle on your hand for a moment before gently returning it to the soil and observing it burrow into the earth. Encourage children to listen to the sounds of nature, such as birds chirping or leaves rustling, and to observe the colors and textures of various plants.

7. Incorporate their interests

If your child is interested in science, consider getting a compost thermometer. They can use it to monitor the temperature of the compost as it heats up and learn about the science behind it. In-bed vermicomposting bins are a simple way to teach your children about the amazing world of worms. Through the years, the majority of my kids’ science projects were garden-related.

Budding artists can create plant markers using rocks or draw pictures of the plants as they grow. If they enjoy photography, encourage them to document the gardening process through photos. Incorporating each child’s interests into gardening can make gardening with children more enjoyable and meaningful.

8. Enjoy the harvests

I disliked carrots until I tried one fresh from my grandpa’s garden. Encourage your children to taste everything and “practice” liking it. Find simple recipes you can make with your children that use the garden’s produce, such as a fresh salad with lettuce and tomatoes, fresh-squeezed orange juice, or a stir-fry with freshly harvested peas and carrots. 

9. Find teaching moments while you’re working together

Beyond just learning about the origin of their food and a love for nature, life lessons are everywhere in the principles of gardening – delayed gratification, the law of the harvest, the importance of daily actions, changing seasons, and so much more! Teaching about the birds and the bees becomes natural when you are actually teaching about birds and bees. 

10. Marvel at the miracles

Kneel and point out the miracle of green sprouts emerging from the soil when gardening with your kids. Let them experience the wonder of pulling carrots from the ground that began as tiny seeds. Pause and marvel together at blossoms, insect eggs, cocoons, butterflies, and rainbows. If you spot something interesting, point it out. Before long, they will start making their own discoveries and sharing them with you.

11. Craft with Garden Harvests

There are so many fun ways to create garden crafts with your kids—some might even be useful around the house! One of my favorites is making loofah scrubbers. Check out my guide on how to make loofah scrubbers for step-by-step instructions.

If you try any of these ideas, tag me @growing.in.the.garden —I’d love to see your garden and creations!

Learn how to start a garden in this guide.

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Are you having trouble keeping your garden healthy and productive? Use this list of ten essential daily gardening tasks to take your garden from struggling to thriving. It’s easy to focus on the big tasks that need to be done in the garden. However, it is often the small simple things we do on a daily basis that will have the biggest impact on the health of our garden.

Garden Care Schedule for your Daily Gardening Routine:

1. Check the watering

Struggling = Overwatered plants have saturated soil and grow slowly. Underwatered plants are wilted with yellowing dried leaves.

Thriving = Plants that are watered correctly are healthy and grow well. They are less stressed and less prone to pests & disease.

Don’t assume your garden needs watering; first, check the soil. Put a finger in the soil; if it comes up with soil on it, wait before watering. If your finger is dry, it’s time to water.

Three key tips for watering:

• Newly planted seeds or seedlings will need watering more often until they get established.
• Watering in the morning helps hydrate plants for the day.
• Try to be in the garden when the water is running. You’ll spot leaks and broken timers and emitters that way, too. 

 2. Thin seedlings

Struggling = Too many seedlings too close together crowd each other out and compete for sunlight and nutrients. None of them grow well.

Thriving = Each seedling has enough room. Seedlings grow quickly and get established. 

After planting seeds, thin them early and often. Young seedlings will grow and thrive when given enough room. Check mature spacing guidelines and square foot spacing in this blog post. 

3. Keep up with pruning, weeding, and deadheading 

Struggling = Tasks build up, and they become overwhelming. You don’t know where to begin. There is too much to do! Suckers and weeds grow large and take energy away from growing plants. 

Thriving = Daily pruning and cleaning up keeps tasks manageable. Plants are healthy and productive. 

I always have my favorite pruners when I head out to the garden each morning. If you see something that needs to be pruned or cleaned up, do it right away. Plants are healthier and happier when kept in check and cleaned up. Essential garden tasks include:

1. Prune off dead, dying leaves. 
2. Prune suckers out of plants. 
3. Deadhead flowers.
4. Pull weeds when they are small before they can spread seeds.
5. Cut back flowers to encourage branching. 
6. Keep herbs pruned back.
7. Keep your garden clean & pick up debris.

4.  Look for bugs: good and bad​  

Struggling = You’re afraid to check the garden because of the pests. Squash bugs are multi-generational and out of control. You have to pull plants to prevent infestations from spreading.

Thriving = Daily checks on the undersides of leaves for problem pests keep numbers in check. Soapy water nearby makes it easy to dispose of problem pests. You see signs of beneficial insects and understand how they can help. 

Make it a point to observe nature during your daily gardening routine. This doesn’t mean reaching for a spray bottle, every time you see a bug. However, it’s important to be aware of what is happening in your garden. Apps like “Seek” help identify which bugs are in your garden. Read this post to learn more about organic pest control options.

1. Look for holes, check the undersides of leaves, check around plants, and check new seedlings.
2. Pay attention to the patterns of pests/beneficial insects throughout the year.

5. Learn to spot the first signs of disease in your garden

Struggling = Plants are overtaken with disease and have to be pulled. Garden diseases build up in your soil and come back each season.

Thriving = You remove diseased leaves as soon as you see them and then monitor that plant closely. You clean your tools each time you use them to prevent the spread of diseases. 

Removing affected leaves is often a good first step in treating garden diseases. Daily observation will help you know what further treatment steps are needed if the problem progresses.

Catching problems when small helps keep them under control and prevents spreading to the rest of your garden. Clean tools meticulously and dispose of any leaves in the garbage, not compost. 

10 Essential Garden Tasks to Take Your Garden from Struggling to Thriving (continued)

6. Help your plants find the trellises

Struggling = Plants are overgrown with unruly branches that break when you train them to the trellis. 

Thriving = You give young plants and branches a nudge or clip them in place as they grow, and they happily climb trellises. 

Vertical gardening keeps plants healthier and more productive, but if the plant doesn’t find the trellis, it can’t climb. Other plants must be clipped to or woven up the trellis. Larger branches are less pliable and may break, but young growth is easy to train.

7. Look at the blossoms. Do you need to hand-pollinate anything? 

Struggling = Female blossoms wither and die because they aren’t pollinated. Fruits do not mature before the season ends. 

Thriving = You are in the garden when blossoms open and hand-pollinate as needed to ensure fruits form on squash, cantaloupe, and other plants. 

The best time to do your daily gardening routine is in the morning – many blossoms are only open first thing in the morning. Learn the difference between male and female blossoms and hand-pollinate as needed.

A bonus tip: Plant flowers and allow herbs to flower to attract pollinators so you won’t have to hand-pollinate as often. Discover more about creating a pollinator-friendly garden in my post, “Perennials for Pollinators in Your Desert Garden”, where I share tips on supporting local wildlife and promoting a healthy garden ecosystem.

9. Check on vermicomposting and composting bins

Struggling = Plants aren’t growing well. 

Thriving = You add food scraps and yard waste to composting bins and amend your beds regularly.

The best fertilizer for plants is fresh worm castings and compost from your vermicomposting and compost bins. Daily attention to this essential gardening task will keep them producing worm castings and compost to add to your garden. 

Vermicomposting bins: Collect kitchen scraps. Check on 1-2 bins daily to monitor worms’ health. Add scraps or harvest finished worm castings as needed—Spread and water in castings. Take note of where you need to add more food scraps. Learn more about in-bed vermicomposting in this blog post.

Compost bins: As part of your garden care schedule, add disease-free yard waste to bins regularly. Monitor the temperature of compost bins and turn or water piles as needed. Learn more about how to compost in this blog post.

9. Keep up with the harvesting

Struggling = Fruit is left on the vine and gets rotten, attracting pests. Vegetables become tough or overgrown, and production slows down. 

Thriving = You harvest as needed daily and incorporate that food into your daily diet and menus. 

When you go out to the garden, bring a basket with you, and when something is ready to be picked, pick it! Pick young and pick often to encourage production. Monitor crops that usually get damaged by birds or pests and harvest early or put barrier methods in place before they ripen.

10. Enjoy being in the garden

Struggling = Being in the garden stresses you out because there is so much work! 

Thriving = You look around and feel content about what you accomplished. You realize that daily, consistent efforts are better for your garden and easier for you! 

Create a spot to rest, relax, and observe the beauty and wildlife as part of your daily garden routine. There may always be work that can be done. However, if you spend a little time each day, those tasks won’t overwhelm you. Instead of dreading it, you will look forward to time in the garden. 

Remember to comment with one of your daily gardening routine tips for a successful garden! Learn how to start a garden in this guide.

If these ideas for a garden care schedule were helpful, please share:

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Does this sound familiar? Looking around my yard, I see weeds, overgrown plants, and a few dried-out pots I tried to grow tomatoes in last year. I think to myself…. “How am I going to grow anything here?” “What do I do first?” “How will I know what to plant?” “If I put time and money into a garden, will it be worth it?”

Read through these steps, and don’t be afraid to start a garden. You can do this! 

If you are starting your garden in the low desert or another hot, dry climate, the Desert Gardening page is the best place to begin. It brings together all my seasonal planting guides, tips for creating shade and managing heatwaves, and advice for protecting plants from frost. Having everything in one place makes it easy to find exactly what you need for each season.

Step 1: Choose the best location to start your garden

The best spot is where it is convenient for you – someplace you will see and walk by often. The back of the yard behind the shed may get the most sun, but if you don’t see your garden regularly, you might forget about it.

• Ideally, this spot gets morning sun – look for a spot that gets at least 6-8 hours of sun (more is ok). You might need to provide shade in the summer in hot areas like Arizona. 
• Check sun exposure using the Sun Seeker app (or similar). It allows you to see the amount of sunlight each area receives. 
• There should also be a water source nearby or within a hose distance.

Starting a garden can feel overwhelming. Read this guide to help you avoid new gardeners’ most common mistakes.

Read this post for more information about how to remove Bermuda grass without chemicals.

Gardening for Beginners Step 2: Add a raised bed

Start small – you can always add more. A “4 foot by 8 foot” raised bed is a good starting point. Aim for a depth between 12 and 18 inches. It is easy to construct, and you can grow a lot of food in this size space. It is important that you can reach into the center of the bed without stepping on the soil. Add more raised beds later as your ability and experience grow. This article shares tips for designing raised bed gardens, and my post on how to fill a raised bed explains exactly what to put inside for long-term success.

I recently added this metal garden bed from Garden in Minutes to my garden. Use code Angela10 to save $10 off $100 or ANGELA to save 7% on any size order. It comes complete with watering grids. This bed is an excellent choice for a first garden or to add to an existing garden. Read this post to see if metal beds heat up more than wooden beds.

Alternatively, use several large pots or half wine barrels for container gardening.

If you’re using containers in a hot climate, Elevated Garden Bed Tips for Hot Climates shares strategies to help your garden thrive when temperatures soar.

Step 3: Set up a watering system

An automatic watering system and a hose for watering seedlings is best. Automatic watering can be simple, such as a battery-operated timer connected to your hose bib, with either a soaker hose or drip line going to the garden. Using a two-way splitter for a second hose is helpful for hand-watering new plantings and seeds.

This article shares more information about how to water your garden correctly. I use watering grids from Garden in Minutes to water my raised beds. 

Gardening for Beginners Step 4: Add soil to your raised bed

One advantage of raised beds is you do not use existing soil. Once you add the perfect mix of ingredients to your raised bed, you are ready to plant. This one-time cost will probably be the most expensive part of beginning a garden. 

To fill the bed, mix equal parts of: 

• Compost – use several different brands or make your own.
• Peat Moss or Coconut Coir – makes soil lighter; helps with water retention.
• Vermiculite – helps retain water and allows the soil to breathe.

How much soil will you need? The volume of your raised bed or containers determines this.  A 4×4 bed that is 1 foot deep will require a total of 16 cubic feet of soil. Each time you plant, add fresh compost to your soil.

This article shares more information about the best soil for raised bed gardens. 

After adding the soil, amend the beds with organic fertilizer.

In the future, it’s important to have your soil tested each year. A soil test can determine the health of your soil. This is the soil test kit I use. It’s very simple to use. 

Step 5: Find a planting guide written for your area and follow it

Timing is crucial in gardening. Using a planting guide takes the guesswork out of what to plant and when to plant it. Local extension offices and locally-owned nurseries are a great place to begin your search for a planting guide. If you live in the low desert of Arizona, I recommend these planting guides.

Get planting dates for your favorite crops with these visual planting guides for bulbs, vegetables, herbs, fruits, flowers & vines.

Perpetual Vegetable, Fruit & Herb Calendar shows you when to plant vegetables in the low desert of Arizona and whether to plant seeds or transplants. See it in my shop.

Gardening for Beginners Step 6: Plant what you like to eat

Read about the vegetables you would like to grow on Growinginthegarden.com, so you understand growing requirements, when to plant, and when to harvest.  

• Best from seed: root crops (carrots, turnips, radishes, etc.), peas, beans, corn, squash, melons, cucumbers, Swiss chard.
• Best from seedlings: peppers, tomatoes, Brussels sprouts.
• Successful either way: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, kale, spinach.

Check new seeds and seedlings often – water as necessary to keep the soil moist. If newly planted seeds and seedlings dry out, they will die. 

Wondering how to start seeds indoors? This post explains how to start seeds inside.

Step 7: Spend time in your garden each day

Take a walk around your garden each morning – preferably while the watering system is running. Take note of what is growing well (yay!), and observe problems while they are young and easily corrected. When you catch problems (pest, disease, watering issues) while they are small, they are easily managed. Find joy in the successes and learn from the failures.

This post shares exactly what to do in your garden each day.

Step 8: Harvest and eat what you grow

Pick young and pick often – this encourages more production. Use the food you grow in the garden. Try new recipes and incorporate your garden harvest into your family’s food. Soups and smoothies are a great way to use vegetables from the garden.

Questions about how to start a garden? Ask me in the comments.

If you are just getting started with gardening, this beginner’s guide is a great place to begin. It pulls together my most helpful resources for new gardeners and walks you through the first steps toward a thriving garden.

Gardening comes with its own language, and it can get confusing. That’s why I created the Practical Gardening Glossary—a handy A–Z guide that explains terms like “germinate,” “compost,” and “seedling” in plain English. It’s a great tool whether you’re just getting started or brushing up on your garden vocabulary.

Not sure if you should start a garden? Here are ten reasons why you should!

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1. Easier access to organic food with no pesticides

You won’t have to wonder what is in or on your food. Organic produce is more expensive in stores because growing food organically on a large scale is more challenging. If you are tired of paying extra for fruits and vegetables that (hopefully) are pesticide and chemical-free, learn how to grow your own.

2. Starting a garden means more diversity in the foods you eat

Ever wonder why you tend to see the same varieties of produce at the grocery store? Mass production means growers choose fruit and vegetable varieties that quickly produce large yields and withstand shipping without bruising.

However, when you plant a garden, you choose the types of produce you grow based on flavor and texture (not how long it lasts before going bad). Glance through a seed catalog, and you’ll have your choice of dozens of different types of each vegetable.

Starting a garden can feel overwhelming. Read this guide to help you avoid new gardeners’ most common mistakes.

3. The higher nutritional value is one of many reasons to start a garden

Once picked, the nutritional value of fruits and vegetables begins to decline.¹ The short distance from the garden to your table ensures fewer nutrients are lost. In addition, vegetables left to ripen in the ground or on the vine often have more nutrients than those harvested earlier.²

4. Harvest at the peak of flavor

You are in control of when food is harvested. Like your zucchini small? You can pick it at any size. Want a fresh juicy peach right off the tree? No problem (just get it before the birds do!).

Sugars in food begin turning to starch once picked. That is why asparagus, corn, peas, strawberries, and more all taste the best fresh-picked! 

5. More access to fresh fruits and vegetables

A garden can provide fruits and vegetables year-round, depending on where you live. Learn to preserve the excess through freezing, canning, and freeze-drying.

Plan your meals around what is growing in the garden, and you will learn to love the changing harvests throughout the year.

6. Learn a new skill and then teach others

The wonderful thing about gardening is it is simple enough for a child to understand, but there is also more to learn than one person will ever master in a lifetime.

Knowing where your food comes from and how to grow it is empowering. Once you understand the basics and begin to have success, teach others what you have learned.

7. Starting a garden keeps you active and gets you outside

A garden provides ample opportunities for activity: weeding, turning the compost, harvesting, mulching, etc. Once you have a garden, spending time each day in your garden is essential.

8. Reduced waste and energy consumption

There is no need for long-distance transportation when your garden is outside your door. The extra packaging for produce is eliminated as well. And finally, kitchen scraps and yard waste are composted instead of heading to the landfill.

Read this post for more information about how to remove Bermuda grass without chemicals.

9. Improved mental health is one of the many reasons to start a garden

Although anxiety and depression are challenging, digging in the dirt can clear your head and bring peace and contentment. Gardening connects you to nature; spending time around plants can ease stress (it does for me!). Finally, caring for others (even if it’s a plant) gets you outside of yourself and your own needs. 

10. Food security and self-sufficiency

One of the most important reasons to start a garden is to be able to feed your family. When I see empty shelves in stores, I appreciate that I can walk outside and gather most of the fruits and vegetables my family eats. Then, when the growing season ends, preserving excess harvests helps stock the pantry. The added benefit of extra yields is sharing the abundance with others. 

Start where you are, start small, and begin today. Don’t worry if you aren’t perfect at first. Learning to grow your food isn’t an event; it’s a journey. 

Angela Judd

Learn how to start a garden in this guide.

If this post about reasons to start a garden was helpful, please share it:

Sources for this article about the reasons to have a garden:

1. Diane M. Barrett, “Maximizing the Nutritional Value of Fruits & Vegetables,” University of California – Davis.

The post 10 Reasons to Start a Garden Today appeared first on Growing In The Garden.

Getting started with gardening may seem overwhelming. There is a lot to learn, but one of the best ways to learn is through experience. Your confidence and knowledge will grow right along with your garden as you learn, plant, and harvest these 10 easy-to-grow vegetables and herbs. 

As you decide what to plant in your garden, pay attention to these things: 

• The soil. Make sure you give plants the best start possible by planting them in good soil. 
• Whether to plant seeds or transplants. For the best chance of success, follow the listed recommendations. 
• When to plant. Planting at the right time will influence your success (or failure) more than any other factor. Learn the zone and frost date for your area. 

If you are just getting started with gardening, this beginner’s guide is a great place to begin. It pulls together my most helpful resources for new gardeners and walks you through the first steps toward a thriving garden.

Easy to grow vegetable #1: Radishes

Read this article for more information about how to grow radishes. 

Radishes sprout easily, grow quickly, and are a perfect first seed to grow for new or young gardeners.

• Plant radishes from seed. 
• Radishes prefer cool weather. Plant radishes 2 to 3 weeks before the average date of the last frost in spring. 
• In the low desert of Arizona, plant radishes beginning in September through April. 

Easy to grow vegetable #2: Beans

Read this article for more information about how to grow beans. 

Beans are fast growers and do best in warm, moist soil. 

• Plant beans from seed.
• Look for disease-resistant and stringless varieties. 
• Plant beans after last frost date, when soil begins to warm in the spring.
• In the low desert of Arizona, plant beans from March 15 through April and again from July 15 through mid-September.
• Pick beans often to encourage more production. 

Easy to grow vegetable #3: Peas

Read this article for more information about how to grow peas. 

Peas are easy to grow in your garden, and because they normally grow vertically, they provide a high yield in a small growing area.

• Plant peas from seed.
• Look for disease-resistant varieties.
• Plant peas 4-6 weeks before your last frost date in the spring. 
• In the low desert of Arizona, plant peas from September through February.

Easy to grow vegetable #4: Bell peppers

Read this article for more information about how to grow peppers. 

Bell peppers need warm weather to do well. 

• Plant peppers from transplant. 
• Plant peppers once soil temperatures reach 65℉ – usually a few weeks after your frost date. 
• In the low desert of Arizona, plant peppers in the early spring and again in July. 
• Pepper limbs are brittle; provide support to prevent breakage.

Easy to grow herb #5: Basil

Read this article for more information about how to grow basil. 

One of the most popular herbs to grow, basil is a warm-weather fragrant herb whose flowers attract native bees.

• Plant basil from seed or transplant. 
• Try different varieties. 
• Prune basil often to encourage a bushy plant and prevent flowering. 
• Plant basil in the spring when nighttime temperatures are above 70℉.

10 Easy to Grow Vegetables and Herbs (cont.)

Easy to grow vegetable #6: Swiss chard

Read this article for more information about how to grow Swiss chard. 

Swiss chard grows well in sun or shade, and in mild winter areas can be grown year-round. 

• Plant Swiss chard from seed or transplant. 
• Plant Swiss chard 2-3 weeks before your last frost date. 
• In the low desert of Arizona, plant Swiss chard from mid-September through February.
• Try colorful varieties. 
• Harvest leaves from the outside for a perpetual harvest. 

Easy to grow herb #7: Garlic chives

Read this article for more information about how to grow garlic chives. 

Garlic chives are one of the simplest herbs to grow. The leaves, buds, and white blossoms are all edible. 

• Plant garlic chives from seed or transplant. 
• Plant in the spring. In mild winter areas, garlic chives can also be planted in the fall. 
• Feed at the beginning of each season. 
• Divide plants every 3-4 years. 
• Plants may die back in a freeze, but come back in the spring.

Easy to grow vegetable #8: Garlic

Read this article for more information about how to grow garlic. 

Although garlic requires several months to grow, it is simple to grow and great for beginners. 

• Garlic is grown from garlic cloves.
• Plant garlic in late fall, and harvest midsummer. 
• Feed garlic once during the growing season with fish-emulsion. 

Easy to grow vegetable #9: Summer squash

Read this article for more information about how to grow summer squash. 

This warm-season crop is a heavy producer. Give it plenty of room and water. 

• Summer squash grows best from seed.
• Plant in the spring after danger of frost has passed.
• In the low desert of Arizona, plant mid-February – April and again from mid-August – September.

Easy to grow vegetable #10: Beets

Read this article for more information about how to grow beets. 

Beets are easy to grow, come in many sizes, shapes, and colors, and are grown for their roots as well as greens.

• Start beets from seed. Each beet seed contains 2-3 beets. Thin seedlings when beets are about 3 inches tall. 
• In cool areas, plant beets 1 month before the last spring frost. Beets tolerate a little frost and near-freezing temperatures.
• In the low desert of Arizona, plant beets from the middle of September through the beginning of March.

Learn how to start a garden in this guide.

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It is the little things you do on a regular basis that have the largest impact on the health of your garden. Make it a habit to spend time in your garden doing these tasks each day. This one practice will improve the success of your garden more than anything else you do.

Observing your garden each day helps you catch problems when they are small and easy to manage. Preventing problems is an important step in building a healthy productive garden and in managing pests and diseases.  

Make the most of your daily time in the garden by doing these 6 tasks every day. As you make this practice a habit, these 6 habits will become second nature.

What do to when you spend time in the garden each day

1. Pay attention to the watering​

Most problems in the garden can be traced back to incorrect watering. Observation is crucial to see if your plants’ watering needs are being met. Monitoring watering is arguably the most important of the tasks to do in your garden every day.

• Try to be in your garden when the water system is running. I use the garden grids from Garden in Minutes.
• Check for broken timers, dead batteries, and broken emitters.
• Check the moisture level in the soil in raised beds and containers. Dig down a little to see if the soil is moist, or use a moisture meter to determine if watering is needed. Adjust the days between watering on timers as needed.
• Look for signs of plants needing water such as yellowing, dried leaves at the bottom of the plant, or wilted leaves.
• Check for signs of overwatering such as wilted plant but wet soil, brown leaves, yellow falling leaves, new growth falling off, floppy plant, and slimy or foul-smelling roots (root-rot).

2. Keep up with pruning and deadheading

When I head out to the garden each morning, I always have my favorite pruners with me. Daily pruning and tidying up keeps these tasks manageable. Plants are healthier and happier when kept in check and cleaned up.

• Prune off dead or dying leaves. 
• Prune suckers out of tomato plants. 
• Deadhead flowers to encourage more blooms. 
• Keep herbs harvested to encourage more growth and prevent flowering.

3. Look for bugs: good and bad​

One or two pests are easier to manage than entire generations. Daily observation helps keep pests in check.

A few aphids or chewed leaves aren’t cause for alarm. However, if you are aware that a problem is developing, you can keep an eye on it and take action if necessary. 

Here are a few things to look for:

• If you see holes, check the undersides of leaves for worms.
• Check the undersides of leaves for pests and eggs.
• Monitor new seedlings for pest/bird damage. Use DE, tulle, or other barrier methods if needed. 
• Learn what the different stages of beneficial insects look like, and keep an eye out for the good guys too!

Read this blogpost to learn about organic pest control options that really work.

4. Spot diseases and intervene early

Learn to spot the first signs of disease in your garden. Removing affected leaves is often a good first step in treating garden diseases.

Daily observation will help you know what further treatment steps are needed if the problem progresses. Catching problems when they are small helps keep them under control and prevents spreading to the rest of your garden. 

Read this blogpost to learn how to prevent and treat powdery mildew.

5. Observe new growth and blossoms

Of all the tasks to do in your garden every day, this one is my favorite. I love walking around and enjoying the sights and sounds of the garden.

Here are a few things to look for:

• Does the plant need help finding the trellis? Do you need to clip the branch to the trellis to prevent breakage?
• Are there blossoms that need hand-pollination? (Morning is the best time for hand-pollination.)
• Do you need to thin new seedlings?
• Are plants large enough to push the mulch back in place around new seedlings?

6. Keep up with harvesting​

Head outside with your harvest basket and enjoy picking your garden’s bounty.

• What needs to be harvested? Do you need to enlist help picking peas, beans, or roselle?
• Plants’ flavor is best when harvested in the morning.
• Don’t wait too long to harvest. Pick vegetables when they are young and tender for best flavor.
• Picking encourages more production in some plants. Leaving ripe fruit and vegetables on the vine often slows production and encourages pests and diseases.
• Are things close to being ripe and need to be protected from birds, etc.?

If you are just getting started with gardening, this beginner’s guide is a great place to begin. It pulls together my most helpful resources for new gardeners and walks you through the first steps toward a thriving garden.

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Start small—a container or two is a great way to start. This container gardening for beginners blog post will give you all the information you need to get started.

1. Choose the location for your container garden

You can’t grow anything without sunlight. The amount of sun the area receives is the most important consideration. Observe your yard at different times of the day. Ideally, the location for your containers receives 6-8 hours of sun throughout the day. Look for an area that receives morning sun if you can. You’ll need easy access to water as well.

2. Decide what you are going to plant in your container garden

Make a list of what you would like to grow. Grow what you like to eat and maybe try something new as well. Use your planting guide to find out which crops do well in your area and find out the best time to plant them. 

Look at your available space and make sure you have enough room to grow everything you would like. Learn about each plant (my blog has over 75 “How to Grow” articles about different vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruit). Decide if you need seeds or transplants. Head to your local nursery or favorite online retailer for seeds and/or transplants.

3. Choose the right container

Here are two important considerations when choosing your containers: 

Size: The size of a plant is usually limited by the container in which it is grown. Larger plants have larger root zones and need adequate-sized containers in order to grow a large enough root structure.

Drainage holes: Make sure the containers you are using have drainage holes.The hole allows excess water to drain out of the container. Too much water can be as damaging to plants as too little. Plant’s roots need air as well as water. Without air, the roots suffocate and die. 

If the container is on a hard surface, lifting the container up off the ground with pot feet allows the water to drain freely out of the hole.

Learn how to choose the right size container in this guide.

4. Fill container all the way up with soil (no filler)

Regular garden soil is too compact and heavy for container gardening, and does not provide the air and water necessary for the roots to grow. 

Look for a raised-bed mix or potting soil that contains compost, coconut coir, and vermiculite or perlite. It should be light, fluffy, and drain well. This provides the nutrients, air, and water for the roots.

I use the same soil mixture in my raised beds and in my containers.

Put the pots in your desired location and fill the containers all the way up with soil. Don’t add any filler to the bottom of the container. The more soil, nutrients, and water available for your plants, the better.

If you want to add an olla to your containers, now would be the time. Consider adding an olla if you can. You’ll see an olla in just about all my containers. 

What is an olla? 

A clay pot with a narrow neck and bulging body used as a watering technique that reduces evaporation and makes water available where it is needed by the roots. The wider part of the olla is buried in the soil with the narrow opening remaining above soil level. 

The olla is regularly filled with water, which seeps out through the porous wall of the pot into the surrounding soil and root zone of the plant. I use ollas from Growoya in most of my containers.

5. Plant the seeds and transplants in the container

When planting seeds and transplants, here are three things to keep in mind: 

Spacing: Adequate space and airflow around plants is necessary for healthy, happy plants. Crowding plants too close together causes problems with disease. Use the spacing guidelines on seed packets or plant labels as a guide when planting.

Transplants: Dig a hole for your plant, and place the transplant in your container at the same level it was in the nursery pot. (Tomato plants are an exception to this rule.)

New transplants dry out more quickly; water them more often until they get established.

Seeds: Typically plant 2 times the depth of the seed. Keep seeds moist until they sprout.

6. Water your container garden correctly

Plants’ roots in containers can’t search out water sources. We have to meet the plants’ watering needs. Many problems in the garden can be traced back to incorrect watering—either not enough or too much water.

Check your containers frequently. Dip your finger into the soil an inch or so (under the mulch) and if it feels dry, it’s time to water. You can also use a moisture meter to give you a more exact idea of how wet the roots are.

Pay attention to your plants. Your plants will tell you if their water needs aren’t being met. Droopy, wilted leaves are a sign you waited too long to water.  Be careful to water the soil, not the plant. Plants absorb water through their roots in the soil, not through their leaves. 

Add a 1″–2″ layer of mulch (such as wood chips) to help conserve moisture in the soil.

7. Feed plants in your container garden regularly

Because frequent watering means nutrients are washed away and roots can’t go looking in the ground for additional nutrients, it’s also a good idea to feed some plants regularly. Compost-rich potting soil will feed your garden for the first few weeks. Use a water-soluble organic fertilizer such as fish emulsion or liquid seaweed (or a combination of both). Follow dilution instructions on the bottle.

8. Pay attention to your plants each day ​

Healthy plants are less susceptible to disease and less attractive to pests. Make it a habit to spend some time in your garden each day. 

• Notice the new growth and blossoms forming.
• Check under leaves for pests. Pests and disease are much easier to spot when they are small.
• Clean up fallen leaves and debris.

9. Harvest at the right time​

Learn about the plants you are growing so you know the best  time to harvest, usually when the crops are young and tender. Fruit and vegetables left too long on the plant can become tough or woody. Picking often encourages the plant to produce more crops.

10. Learn from your experiences

Take time to make a note about your experiences. Documenting your journey helps you learn, such as which types of seeds or transplants you used, the date(s) you planted, what the harvests were like, and any challenges you faced. Learn from your mistakes and enjoy your successes. 

Do you have more tips to share for container gardening for beginners? Let me know in the comments.

Growing in the Garden container gardening resources:

If you’re looking for more resources, I have several videos and blog posts that provide step-by-step guides, tips, and tricks for successful container gardening. I even wrote a book about container gardening, which covers everything from choosing the right containers to harvesting your first crop. You’ve got this! 

If you are just getting started with gardening, this beginner’s guide is a great place to begin. It pulls together my most helpful resources for new gardeners and walks you through the first steps toward a thriving garden.

• Best Vegetables to Grow in Pots
• Guide to Container Sizes: Which Size Container Should I Use?
• The Pros & Cons of Container Gardening
• Gardening in Grow Bags: 5 Tips for Success
• The Best Way to Water Containers
• Grow Anywhere: Smart and Creative Gardening Container Ideas
• Container Gardening Playlist on YouTube

If you enjoy container gardening, you’ll love the benefits of elevated beds—check out my guide, How to Grow in Elevated Garden Beds, to learn how to get started

Looking for more small space gardening ideas? Don’t miss my post on GreenStalk gardening tips, where I share what’s worked (and what hasn’t) in my Arizona garden.

To learn more about gardening in containers, read my book on this topic. Learn more about the book “How to Grow Your Own Food: A Beginner’s Guide to Container Gardening” in this post or purchase the book here.

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