If you’re looking for a spring and summer activity that does wonderful things for your physical and mental health, look no further than gardening. Working outside to grow vegetables gives you an opportunity to do some of the things our bodies and minds really need – breathe fresh air, enjoy the sunshine, get some exercise, and eat healthy and delicious food. It’s a great family activity too – most children love to dig in the dirt, plant, water, and pick fresh vegetables.
But, I know what you’re thinking – “Gardening takes time. And I don’t have any time.” Or, “I don’t have room for a garden.” Fortunately, you don’t need a lot of time or space in order to reap the benefits of gardening. Here are three ways to grow your own vegetables that don’t require a traditional in-ground garden:
- Grow vegetables and herbs in containers – The easiest and least intimidating way to begin is to grow some tomatoes, peppers, herbs, strawberries or other container-friendly plants in large pots. This strategy works well if you have very little space or time. Place the containers in a sunny location, ideally in a spot that’s convenient for watering and monitoring them, fill them with organic soil, and add your plants. Some plants are advertised as “container” or “patio” varieties; ask for help at your garden center if you aren’t sure which varieties grow well in containers.
- Grow vegetables and herbs in existing spaces. Find some sunny spots around your house that could accommodate a few more plants. You might be able to add herb plants to flower beds or plant vegetables around shrubbery. (But don’t plant them in soil that’s been treated with chemicals.) Maybe you have an old flower bed or box that needs some attention and could be re-purposed as a small garden rather easily. Or perhaps there’s an unused corner of your yard where a few tomato and pepper plants would do nicely.
- Create a raised bed garden – If want to “go bigger” than container gardening,
but don’t want to deal with an in-ground garden, consider planting vegetables in raised beds. I grow my vegetables and herbs in raised beds and think it’s the best way to produce a lot of delicious food with a minimum of time, effort and hassle. I started with two 4 x 4 beds a number of years ago and now have expanded to four beds. Raised beds cut down on the work required to set up and maintain a garden – especially the weeding – and allow you to grow lots of vegetables and herbs with minimal effort. If someone in your family is handy, he or she can build 4 x 4 beds fairly easily. If not, you can buy them ready-to-assemble at most garden centers. (Make sure they’re made of untreated wood – you don’t want chemicals to leach into the soil.) Starting with one 4 x 4 bed is a great way to “ease” into gardening. The downside to raised bed gardening is that it costs money the first year to set up the beds and fill them with organic, weed-free soil. But you’ll use them for a number of years, and the work required to maintain the gardens is minimal, so for me it was worth the investment.
Once you’ve decided how you’ll garden, decide what you want to grow. Pick vegetables your family enjoys, plus one or two new ones. Add some favorite herbs, such as basil, mint and oregano. Then determine the best time to plant. Your 
local Extension Service office can tell you the best time to plant in your area. Next, shop for plants at your garden center, greenhouse or farm supply store.
Then, the fun part – plant your garden! If you have children, be sure to involve them; make it a fun project, not a chore. Gardening is a great way to help children learn to love healthy, nutritious foods. If they’ve helped to grow it, they’re going to want to eat it! Finally, tend your plants. Keep an eye on things; pull weeds as soon as they appear and watch for bugs. Many bugs can be removed by hand, but you may need to use organic pesticides if they become a problem.
Do you grow vegetables? If so, what’s your best tip? Please share your thoughts in the Comments – I would love to hear from you.
Sharing with FoodieDIY Friday.
Cassi Schmigotzki (@LAWRTW) says
We dug up a chunk of our yard to turn into a garden but I think I need to make it bigger.
GC says
Hi Cassi – My only “advice” (based on my own gardening failures!) is that it may be better to go too small than too big! In the middle of July’s heat it’s easy to get overwhelmed by a big garden!
Gaye
Bonnie @ The Pin Junkie says
Great tips for gardening! Thanks for sharing them at The Pin Junkie. This post was one of the features this week at http://www.thepinjunkie.com/2014/04/friday-link-party-62.html
GC says
Thanks so much for featuring my post, Bonnie!
Gaye
carriecurry says
I LOVE to garden. I can’t this year in our temporary rental, but by golly – I’ll be back in the dirt by fall!
GC says
Hi Carrie – I love it too. Hope you can get your hands back in the dirt soon!
Gaye
Nicky says
Hi Gaye. I found this article on the LOBS party. Starting a garden is a great way to eat healthier. I find that my kids will eat better if they have a hand in growing it themselves too. These are all great tips.
GC says
Thanks Nicky!
Gaye
Margaret Heisworkingitout Reed says
I plan on doing container plants this yeat, I tried the garden and it was tough for me to keep up. I really want to do some mint and I do not want to put it in the ground cause it takes over. I just have to make up my mind what else I want to grow. Nice post.
Living F.A.B.ulously on Purpose
GC says
Hi Margaret – Yes, I think that growing in containers is a great idea. Very manageable, but you can get great results. I just planted some mint in a pot for that very reason – it takes over completely!
Gaye
DesignedDecor says
my plan is to start this year with 1 raised bed garden! Pinning!
GC says
Thanks so much for stopping by, DeDe. I hope you enjoy your raised bed garden!
Gaye
Tina Reale (@tinareale) says
I have a black thumb. But thankfully my SIL has a very green thumb and we steal goods from her garden all the time. Okay, she really gives them to us…but it feels like a steal. Fresh produce for so much less $$$.
GC says
Getting fresh vegetables free from a friend or relative may be the best approach of all!
Gaye
April Harris (@apriljharris) says
Excellent advice! I have raised beds and always attempt to grow some of my own veggies, despite the terrible British weather! Even if you only have space for a small container, whatever you can grow at home is beneficial for you and for the environment. Thank you for sharing this post with the Hearth and Soul hop.
GC says
Thanks April. I agree that anything you can grow is positive. And I do not envy you trying to grow vegetables in bad weather!
Thanks for stopping by.
Gaye
Alice (@mumsmakelists) says
This is such a great post – I really want to get into the garden and get planting, it’s just been so cold.
Would love for you to link up at Empty Your Archive. We have a special focus this week on vegetables and this would be a great addition, Alice @ Mums Make Lists x
GC says
Thanks Alice. I will definitely stop by and link up with you.
Gaye
Margaret Heisworkingitout Reed says
I love flower gardens. I tried to do a veggie garden but i find myself not watering it enough and it just did not work. I am trying some container plants this year and see how it works Joining from Healty Tues hop
Living F.A.B.ulously on Purpose
GC says
Hi Heather – Yes, I think that vegetables in containers are a great way to go, especially if you’ve had gardening problems in the past. I sometimes grow tomatoes and herbs in pots on the deck, even though I have a garden area, just because I like to see them there!
Gaye
Becca says
I enjoy gardening. Eagerly waiting for spring to come! 🙂
GC says
Thanks Becca. I’m just about ready to start planting my garden.
Gaye
messymarriage says
This is filled with lots of practical and helpful gardening advice, Gaye. I’m not much of a gardener. I’ve done some of it here and there but just don’t give it the consistent attention it needs because I’m … oh, I don’t know, blogging?! haha! But I do love when I’m successful. I’ve only been able to grow cucumbers … all the other veggies died on me! haha! Thanks for the inspiration. It really does make me want to give it another try. 🙂
GC says
Hi Beth – Yes, this will be the first full summer of gardening plus blogging – not sure how that is going to work out! I think that one 4 x 4 box is the way to go if you’re going to give gardening another try. That’s enough space to grow a nice quantity and variety, but not so much so that it becomes overwhelming.
Gaye