Vegetable gardening has become increasingly popular. Vegetable gardening can produce vegetables that are cheaper than those at the store, and they taste much better. Many people grow their own organic vegetables out of concern about the pesticides and other chemicals used on commercially grown veggies. Growing vegetables is essentially the same as growing herbs or flowers. With the proper care and maintenance, your plants will flourish and produce tasty vegetables to nourish your family.

To begin, you must decide where to plant your vegetable garden. Choose a site with adequate space, ample sunlight, and healthy, well-drained soil. Because vegetable gardens have such tasty rewards, many creatures, such as dogs, rabbits, and deer will try to sample your veggies. You can build fences or place traps to try to keep them out, or you can plant extras and plan to share.

Good soil is essential to growing good vegetables. Get your soil tested for nutrient levels, organic matter, texture, and other factors (your local extension office should have a list of places that analyze soil). If necessary, add nutrients or organic matter to your soil. You may need to plow or spade your garden before planting to get our large rocks, roots, or other impediments to growth. Mulching the soil with compost or other organic matter will reduce weed growth and add nutrients at a sustainable level. While the proper kind and amount of fertilizer depends on the soil and plants grown, there are some vegetables that have specific needs. Leafy plants, like cabbage, spinach, and lettuce usually grow better with more nitrogen, while root crops like potatoes, beets, turnips, and carrots require more potash. Tomatoes and beans use less fertilizer, while plants like onions, celery, and potatoes need a larger amount.

One thing that is vital in vegetable gardening is the garden arrangement. There is no single plan that will work for every garden due to varying conditions. One popular way to arrange a vegetable garden is to plant vegetables needing limited space (such as radishes, lettuce, beets, and spinach) together, and those that require more room (such as corn, pumpkins, and squash) together. Try and plant tall growing plants towards the back of the garden and shorter ones in the front so they all get adequate sunlight. Cluster plants with similar nutrient and water needs to conserve resources.

When you are ready to begin planting your vegetable garden, make sure it is the right time of year. Vegetables shouldn't be planted until the danger of frost is over. If you are dying to get started sooner, consider starting seeds indoors, then transplanting once the weather improves. When planting, make sure you dig a large enough planting hole (twice as wide as the roots, but no deeper) and spread the roots to give them a good start. If you amend the soil, amend the entire planting area, not just the planting hole.

Once you've planted your vegetable starts, make sure you provide proper care, so they will produce tasty vegetables. Make sure your vegetables receive the appropriate amount of water, which depends on the type of plant. Most plants will need the equivalent to about an inch of water per week. Regularly pull weeds from your garden; if you don't, they will compete with your vegetables for water, light, and nutrients. If you notice serious pest or disease problems, research the problem to ensure you provide the right treatment at the right time.

Vegetable gardening is many people's favorite form of gardening because you can actually taste the fruits of your labor. Vegetable gardening is not that expensive and the taste of home grown veggies definitely beats that of supermarket vegetables. With proper care and maintenance, you'll produce a bountiful crop. Just be sure and share the extras with friends, neighbors, or your local food bank. They'll thank you and you'll create a sustainable, waste free garden.

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Jerry Cahill answers to your frequently asked questions about vegetable gardening and other horticulture questions, please go to Vegetable Gardens