10 Steps to Get Your Edible Garden Started
Set veggies, fruits and herbs up to thrive by choosing a spot in full sun, amending soil, addressing drainage and more
How you set up your edible garden from the start can make all difference between a garden that produces a bounty of produce and one that limps along, producing the occasional tomato. To help us demystify that process, and ensure we get our edible gardens set up for success, we caught up with landscape designer Leslie Bennett of Pine House Edible Gardens in Oakland, California, who is also coauthor of The Beautiful Edible Garden book.
Read on to discover how to choose the best spot for growing veggies, two things to do before planting to boost plant health, why it makes sense to invest in garden infrastructure and more.
Read on to discover how to choose the best spot for growing veggies, two things to do before planting to boost plant health, why it makes sense to invest in garden infrastructure and more.
If the area right outside your back door doesn’t receive full sun (a consistent six to eight hours of direct sunlight), don’t rule out other sunny spots for growing fruits and vegetables, such as the front yard, the side yard or in pots on a sun-drenched patio, balcony or roof deck.
In this predominately shaded backyard in Marin, California, for example, a sloped area along the back fence receives the most sun. To make the area suitable for growing edibles, Bennett designed terraced raised beds that are built into the slope. This photo shows the raised beds soon after they were installed, with recently planted summer crops — including tomatoes, green beans, peppers, salad greens, culinary herbs and edible flowers. The previous photo shows the same garden in midsummer.
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In this predominately shaded backyard in Marin, California, for example, a sloped area along the back fence receives the most sun. To make the area suitable for growing edibles, Bennett designed terraced raised beds that are built into the slope. This photo shows the raised beds soon after they were installed, with recently planted summer crops — including tomatoes, green beans, peppers, salad greens, culinary herbs and edible flowers. The previous photo shows the same garden in midsummer.
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Planting tip: Try these edibles for partial sun to full shade. If you don’t have an area that receives direct sunlight, don’t worry. “There’s always a way to put a shadier corner of the garden to use,” Bennett says. Some of her favorite edibles for partial sun exposure include greens such as lettuces, kale, chard and collards, and heat-sensitive herbs like cilantro. For areas with morning sun only, Bennett will often plant small sour citrus fruits such as lemon, lime, kumquats or calamondin.
“If I’m dealing with full shade, there are several varieties of ferns, bamboos and ginger whose young shoots are edible and can be harvested to cook and eat,” Bennett says. She adds that shaded spots can also be used for mushroom cultivation.
“If I’m dealing with full shade, there are several varieties of ferns, bamboos and ginger whose young shoots are edible and can be harvested to cook and eat,” Bennett says. She adds that shaded spots can also be used for mushroom cultivation.
2. Choose a Spot With Easy Access
While optimal sun is the most important factor when choosing a location for growing edibles, Bennett also recommends considering ease of access. “The closer your veggie bed is to your back door or kitchen door, the more you’ll use it,” she says. “If you can easily see the kitchen garden from your door or window, you’ll probably take better care of it and also be more inspired to use it in your daily meals.” Both proximity to your home and ability to access beds via pathways or raised planters can make jobs such as harvesting and watering more convenient.
If your primary edible bed is in a sunny spot away from the house, try to keep frequently harvested edibles like culinary herbs and cherry tomatoes close at hand in containers near the kitchen.
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While optimal sun is the most important factor when choosing a location for growing edibles, Bennett also recommends considering ease of access. “The closer your veggie bed is to your back door or kitchen door, the more you’ll use it,” she says. “If you can easily see the kitchen garden from your door or window, you’ll probably take better care of it and also be more inspired to use it in your daily meals.” Both proximity to your home and ability to access beds via pathways or raised planters can make jobs such as harvesting and watering more convenient.
If your primary edible bed is in a sunny spot away from the house, try to keep frequently harvested edibles like culinary herbs and cherry tomatoes close at hand in containers near the kitchen.
Shop for outdoor planters and pots on Houzz
3. Give Your Soil a Boost
All plants, especially fruit and vegetable crops, extract nutrients from the soil to fuel their growth. Before you plant your edible garden for the first time, invest in your soil’s fertility (how many nutrients are in the soil) and texture (the structure of the soil). It’s also important to rebuild soil fertility in beds between growing seasons.
While a variety of amendments can be used to enhance soil fertility and texture, compost is a popular and effective choice. “Adding the highest-quality organic compost to the existing soil is the absolute best thing to do, as it improves the structure and drainage of the soil as well as improving the nutrient content,” Bennett says.
How to Get Good Soil for Your Edible Garden
All plants, especially fruit and vegetable crops, extract nutrients from the soil to fuel their growth. Before you plant your edible garden for the first time, invest in your soil’s fertility (how many nutrients are in the soil) and texture (the structure of the soil). It’s also important to rebuild soil fertility in beds between growing seasons.
While a variety of amendments can be used to enhance soil fertility and texture, compost is a popular and effective choice. “Adding the highest-quality organic compost to the existing soil is the absolute best thing to do, as it improves the structure and drainage of the soil as well as improving the nutrient content,” Bennett says.
How to Get Good Soil for Your Edible Garden
4. Improve Soil Drainage
Most edible plants thrive in soil that drains relatively quickly. “The roots of a lot of vegetables, especially Mediterranean herbs, fruit trees and the more delicate salad greens, are very sensitive to root rot, so you don’t want them sitting in overly wet soil all the time,” Bennett says. Damp soil can also attract snails and slugs, which can damage plants as well.
When planting in a heavy native soil (such as clay soils), Bennett adds crushed lava rock or a similar drainage-supporting amendment to the organic compost she uses. The combination can allow water to drain more quickly and enable vegetable roots to push through.
Most edible plants thrive in soil that drains relatively quickly. “The roots of a lot of vegetables, especially Mediterranean herbs, fruit trees and the more delicate salad greens, are very sensitive to root rot, so you don’t want them sitting in overly wet soil all the time,” Bennett says. Damp soil can also attract snails and slugs, which can damage plants as well.
When planting in a heavy native soil (such as clay soils), Bennett adds crushed lava rock or a similar drainage-supporting amendment to the organic compost she uses. The combination can allow water to drain more quickly and enable vegetable roots to push through.
5. Provide Shelter
Annual vegetables, such as tomatoes, squashes, cucumbers, lettuce greens and more, as well as tender culinary herbs, can be sensitive to strong winds. Look for spots to grow them where walls provide shelter or hedges help break the wind.
If you have a windy garden without any sheltered areas, Bennett recommends planting tougher edibles, such as culinary bay, or woody perennial herbs, such as sage, oregano and thyme.
Annual vegetables, such as tomatoes, squashes, cucumbers, lettuce greens and more, as well as tender culinary herbs, can be sensitive to strong winds. Look for spots to grow them where walls provide shelter or hedges help break the wind.
If you have a windy garden without any sheltered areas, Bennett recommends planting tougher edibles, such as culinary bay, or woody perennial herbs, such as sage, oregano and thyme.
6. Raise It Up
Containers and raised beds can set edible gardens up for success in areas with heavy soil or poor drainage, or in gardens that are home to gophers, moles or voles. “I think raised beds are almost always easier to work with,” Bennett says, “as you don’t have to bend down to work, and because they allow you to control so many of the elements, like drainage and critter access.” She recommends them to most of her clients, particularly first-time vegetable growers. Bonus: The edges of raised beds provide useful nooks for growing culinary herbs, as shown here, or low-growing strawberries.
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Containers and raised beds can set edible gardens up for success in areas with heavy soil or poor drainage, or in gardens that are home to gophers, moles or voles. “I think raised beds are almost always easier to work with,” Bennett says, “as you don’t have to bend down to work, and because they allow you to control so many of the elements, like drainage and critter access.” She recommends them to most of her clients, particularly first-time vegetable growers. Bonus: The edges of raised beds provide useful nooks for growing culinary herbs, as shown here, or low-growing strawberries.
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Ornamental perennials are planted with artichokes, brassicas, tomatoes and a tower of beans in this garden bed in England.
7. Think Outside the Kitchen Garden
Edible plants don’t need to reside in a kitchen garden or other designated food-growing area. Try working them into ornamental beds for attractive displays that also offer a harvest. “My hands-down favorite edible for working into larger beds is citrus,” Bennett says. “They are so beautiful and easy to care for if you have the right climate for them, like we do here in California.” Other ornamental edible plants Bennett suggests include culinary bay, artichokes and blueberries.
7. Think Outside the Kitchen Garden
Edible plants don’t need to reside in a kitchen garden or other designated food-growing area. Try working them into ornamental beds for attractive displays that also offer a harvest. “My hands-down favorite edible for working into larger beds is citrus,” Bennett says. “They are so beautiful and easy to care for if you have the right climate for them, like we do here in California.” Other ornamental edible plants Bennett suggests include culinary bay, artichokes and blueberries.
8. Add Flowers
Bennett often includes flowering annuals, perennials and edible flowers in edible beds. This provides two main benefits: The beds look more beautiful and the flowers can help attract pollinators, leading to a better harvest. A few of her favorite flowering plants to add include Agastache, sage, feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), nasturtium, lavender and yarrow (Achillea millefolium).
Bennett often includes flowering annuals, perennials and edible flowers in edible beds. This provides two main benefits: The beds look more beautiful and the flowers can help attract pollinators, leading to a better harvest. A few of her favorite flowering plants to add include Agastache, sage, feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), nasturtium, lavender and yarrow (Achillea millefolium).
9. Invest in Infrastructure
Before you start seeds or bring seedlings home from the nursery, make a plan and have your growing systems in place. “Take the time and spend the money to get a simple raised bed set up in a sunny spot in your yard, with good soil and, ideally, an irrigation system,” Bennett says. If your beds aren’t directly next to the house, consider adding pathways to make access and maintenance easier. Install fencing and netting, if needed, to protect your crops from animals.
Before you start seeds or bring seedlings home from the nursery, make a plan and have your growing systems in place. “Take the time and spend the money to get a simple raised bed set up in a sunny spot in your yard, with good soil and, ideally, an irrigation system,” Bennett says. If your beds aren’t directly next to the house, consider adding pathways to make access and maintenance easier. Install fencing and netting, if needed, to protect your crops from animals.
10. Enjoy the Fruits of Your Labor
After you’ve put in the work to plant your vegetables and herbs and set up your edible garden for success, soon you’ll be able to enjoy the rewards — both on your plate and perhaps in your psyche. “Don’t underestimate how your vegetable garden can be a real source of beauty and visual inspiration as much as it is a source of food,” Bennett says.
After you’ve put in the work to plant your vegetables and herbs and set up your edible garden for success, soon you’ll be able to enjoy the rewards — both on your plate and perhaps in your psyche. “Don’t underestimate how your vegetable garden can be a real source of beauty and visual inspiration as much as it is a source of food,” Bennett says.
Tell us: Do you enjoy growing fruits, veggies and herbs? Show us your edible garden in the Comments.
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More on Houzz
Read more edible-gardening guides
Find a landscape designer for your next outdoor project
Shop for lawn and gardening tools
1. Plant in Full Sun
“Sun is nonnegotiable for growing the best veggies and fruits, especially large, sweet, juicy fruits like peaches and beefsteak tomatoes,” Bennett says. She advises scouting out the sunniest spot in your yard for dedicated vegetable beds.