How to Start Your Very Own Vegetable Garden

Learn how to plant, nurture, and grow your own tasty vegetables right in your backyard or on a porch. HowTo: Family Edition: family how-tos that actually help.

1. Pick your sunny spot. Most vegetables love the sun! Find a spot that gets at least six hours of bright light every day. Ask a grown-up to help you check if your chosen spot is safe for digging.
2. Prepare your soil. If you are using pots, fill them with fresh potting soil. If you are planting in the ground, use your trowel to loosen the dirt so it is soft and crumbly. Remove any big rocks or weeds you find.
3. Plant your seeds or starts. Check your seed packet for instructions on how deep to plant. Usually, you make a small hole with your finger, drop the seed in, and cover it gently with soil. If you bought starter plants, dig a hole as deep as the plastic cup the plant came in and tuck it in snugly.
4. Give them a drink. Use your watering can to gently sprinkle water over your garden. The soil should feel like a damp sponge, not a muddy puddle. Check the soil every day; if it feels dry, it is time for another drink.