On this podcast episode, Harold and Rachel begin a series on getting back to basics beginning with getting started gardening. They discuss everything you need to know to start growing your own homegrown vegetables.
Modern Homesteading Podcast Episode 268
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Gardening can seem overwhelming when you’re first starting out, but it doesn’t have to be! Whether you have a tiny balcony or a sprawling backyard, there’s a gardening method that will fit your space, your budget, and your lifestyle. Below, we’ll break down some popular approaches to help you decide which route might work best for you. We’ll also cover important considerations like climate, bed size, and predator-proofing. Let’s dig in!
1. Choose Your Gardening Method
Biointensive Gardening
Key Idea: Focus on high-yield production in a small space using double-digging and close-planting techniques.
- Recommended Resource: How to Grow More Vegetables Than You Ever Thought Possible (and related YouTube videos).
- Pros: Great for maximizing yield in a limited area. Uses only a shovel and a strong back—minimal specialized tools.
- Cons: Double-digging can be labor-intensive, especially if your soil is rocky or compacted.
No-Till Gardening
Key Idea: Disturb the soil as little as possible to preserve beneficial microbes and improve long-term soil health.
- Recommended Resources:
- The Living Soil Handbook by Jesse Frost (link)
- YouTube: How to Start a No-Till Garden from Scratch
- Charles Dowding (YouTube & Website, Beginner’s Guide)
- Pros: Builds soil structure over time, reduces weeds, and is eco-friendly.
- Cons: Initial setup might take time if you’re converting from a traditional tilled garden.
Raised Bed Gardening
Key Idea: Grow in defined beds that are raised above ground level, often framed with wood, metal, or other materials.
- Recommended Resources:
- Pros: Great for controlling soil quality, drainage, and weed management. Easier on the back and knees if you elevate them.
- Cons: You need materials and soil/compost to fill the beds, which can get expensive depending on the size.
Lasagna (Layered) Gardening
Key Idea: Build your bed by layering organic materials (like compost, straw, leaves, kitchen scraps) that decompose into nutrient-rich soil.
- Recommended Resource: Lasagna Gardening Video
- Pros: Excellent for improving poor soil without heavy digging. Great way to recycle organic waste.
- Cons: It can take some time for layers to break down before planting (though some people plant immediately in the top layers).
Container Gardening
Key Idea: Grow plants in pots, buckets, or other containers, perfect for small spaces like balconies or patios.
- Pros: Mobility (move plants to optimal sunlight or indoors during bad weather), flexibility for renters or small spaces.
- Cons: Containers can dry out quickly and need frequent watering and fertilization.
Traditional Row Gardens (Tilled)
Key Idea: The classic long rows, often maintained with a rototiller for weed control.
- Pros: Very common and straightforward, can be a good way to start if you have a large area.
- Cons: Tilling each season can break down soil structure over time. Many gardeners eventually convert to no-till practices to improve soil health.
Permaculture Approaches
Key Idea: Work with nature by creating self-sustaining ecosystems.
- Food Forests: Planting diverse layers of trees, shrubs, and groundcovers to mimic a forest ecosystem.
- Recommended Resource: How to Start a Food Forest the Easy Way by David the Good.
- Hugelkultur (Hugel Mounds): Build mounds of wood debris and organic matter that decompose over time, enriching the soil.
- Recommended Resource: Hugelkultur Garden Beds: A Step By Step Beginners Guide
- Geoff Lawton & Jack Spirko: Check out their videos and introductions to permaculture, including Permaculture for Beginners and The Permaculture Designers Manual in One Hour.
- Pros: Long-term sustainability, minimal external inputs once established.
- Cons: Requires some upfront planning and knowledge of ecosystems.
2. Important Considerations
Climate and Environment
- Identify your growing zone and frost dates (first and last).
- Understand how much rainfall, wind, and sun your space gets.
- Plan accordingly: if you’re in a dry or tropical climate, you might adjust methods for water conservation or shade structures.
- Chart Provides Both Indoor and Outdoor Seeding Dates for 22 Commonly Grown…
- Comes with listing of Local Spring & Fall Frost Dates, USA and Canada (Has a…
- Gives Seed Quantity, Seeding Dimensions: Planting Depths, Distance Between Rows…
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Bed Width & Height
- Make sure you can comfortably reach the center of your beds without stepping on the soil.
- If you plan to use special tools (like U-bars or seeders), measure bed width to match.
- Higher beds are gentler on your back and knees but require more material to fill.
Materials & Amendments
- Source compost, mulch, and other amendments locally if possible—this often saves money.
- Consider free resources like leaf litter, grass clippings, wood chips from local tree services, and even coffee grounds from cafés.
Tools & Budget
- Bare minimum: A shovel, hand trowel, and rake.
- Depending on your method, you might need additional tools: broadfork (U-bar), wheelbarrow, or a watering system.
- Set a budget for materials and consider starting small. You can always expand as you learn what works best in your space.
Pests & Predators
- Think about the four-legged (or two-legged!) challenges: deer, rabbits, dogs, cats, and even curious neighbors.
- Protective fencing, raised beds, or container setups can help deter unwanted visitors.
3. Plan for Next Season (or Next Steps)
Even as you start growing now, it’s wise to think about improvements for next year.
- Compost: Start a pile or bin for kitchen scraps and yard waste. You’ll have rich, free fertilizer by next season.
- Leaf Litter & Compost Teas: Collect leaves in autumn to make leaf mold or compost teas.
- Attract Beneficial Wildlife: Birdhouses, insect hotels, and pollinator-friendly plants encourage good bugs and birds that help control pests.
- Free Resources: Look for local community programs that offer free compost or wood chips.
4. Connect with Your Community
- Local Community Gardens: Many neighborhoods have communal gardening spaces where you can rent a small plot, learn from experienced gardeners, or volunteer.
- Seed Swaps & Workshops: Check social media or local bulletin boards for free or low-cost gardening events.
5. Find Inspiration
- Tiny Yard Container Garden: How to Grow $1,000 of Food: Proof that a small space can yield big results.
- YouTube, books, and online forums are excellent for picking up new tips, troubleshooting, and staying motivated.
Final Thoughts
Starting a garden is all about experimentation, patience, and learning from both successes and failures. There’s no “right” or “wrong” way—just the way that works for you and your environment. Pick a method that resonates with your style, start small, and gradually expand as your confidence (and harvest) grows. Happy gardening!
