For many people one of the best feelings they can have of self-sufficiency in planting a vegetable garden, knowing they will save money over the costs of goods in the stores as well as have fresher, healthier produce to use when planning their meals. While caring for a garden throughout the growing season can be timely and consist of a lot of labor, most of the heavy work comes when planting a vegetable garden. However, the muscle aches and pains are soon forgotten when you sit back and look at the growing plants and then can taste the first fruits, or this case vegetables, of your labor.

There is a lot of preparation that goes into planting a vegetable garden and getting an early jump on getting the soil ready may not allow you to get the plants or seeds in the ground any earlier. However, making sure the soil is ready before the plants are put in will allow the plants to grow better and be more productive.

Essentially, most vegetable plants require a lot of sunshine and a sufficient amount of water, as well as ground that does not hold the water, which can drown the plants. Too much water will damage the plants as much as not enough and when planting a vegetable garden, the dirt surrounding the plants has to be conducive to plant growth and have the right amount of nutrients to spur healthy growth.

Preparing Spring Planting Begins In The Fall

To make sure the soil where you will be planting a vegetable garden is ready actually begins in the fall. Grass clippings and leaves from the fall can be spread over the area where the garden will be planted and worked into the soil. Using a tiller or other garden equipment, depending on the size of the garden, working the mulch into the ground will allow it to begin breaking down into compost during the winter months, providing food for the plants when planting a vegetable garden in the spring.

Depending on the weather zone, most plants that grow above ground should not be planted until after the threat of frost has passed. Even when using seeds when planting a vegetable garden, young plants are more susceptible to damage from frost than the vegetables that grow under ground such as onions and potatoes. Consider the needs of the plants when planting a vegetable garden, such as warm soil, plenty of sunshine and water will help insure a good crop when it comes time for harvest.