Learn the Basics of Planting and Growing a Vegetable Garden!

Dive into some gardening basics, and get ready to grow your own vegetables! Having trouble viewing this email? [View this email on the web.]( [The Old Farmer's Almanac Gardening Club]( Learn the Basics of Planting and Growing a Vegetable Garden [Hero]( Dear Almanac Reader, Why garden, you ask? How about enjoying the best vegetables and fruit you’ve ever eaten? If you’ve never tasted garden-fresh food, you will be amazed by the sweet, juicy flavors and vibrant textures. There’s absolutely nothing quite like fresh veggies, especially if you grow them yourself—which you can! It may seem daunting at first, but gardening is a very rewarding hobby. On this page, we’ll highlight the basics of vegetable gardening and planning: how to pick the right site for your garden, how to create the right-size garden, and how to select which vegetables to grow. [Image - Lettuce]( [Pick the Right Location]( Picking a good location for your garden is absolutely key. A subpar location can result in subpar veggies! Here are a few tips for choosing a good site: - Sunny spot: Most vegetables need 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. There are a few veggies (mostly the leafy ones) that will tolerate some shade. - Drains well and doesn’t stay wet: If you have poorly drained soil where water pools, plant veggies in a raised bed or raised row for improved drainage. Wet soil means wet roots, which can turn into rotted roots. If you have rocky soil, till and remove the rocks, as they will interfere with root growth and make for weaker plants. - Stable and not windy: Avoid places that receive strong winds that could knock over your young plants or keep pollinators from doing their job. Nor do you want to plant in a location that receives too much foot traffic or floods easily. Plant in a location that would make Goldilocks smile—somewhere that’s “just right.” - Nutrient-rich soil. You soil feeds your plants. If you have thin, nutrient-poor soil, you’ll have poor, unhealthy plants. Mix in plenty of organic matter to help your plants gro. See how to prepare you soil for vegetable plants. [Image - Raddishes]( [Choosing a Plot Size: Start Small!]( Remember: It’s better to be proud of a small garden than be frustrated by a big one! One of the most common errors that beginners make is planting too much too soon—way more than anybody could ever eat or want! Unless you want to have zucchinis taking up residence in your attic, plan your garden with care. Start small, and only grow what you know you and your family will eat. [Choosing Vegetables]( As a beginner, start by choosing easy vegetables that are also productive. We’ve listed ten easy vegetable below. However, it would also be wise to contact your state’s Cooperative Extension Service to find out what plants grow best in your area. For example, if you live in an area with extremely hot weather, vegetables that prefer cooler temps may struggle. Not sure where to start? Here are ten easy vegetables to grow at home! - Lettuce - Green beans - Radishes - Tomatoes (bush variety or cherry are easiest) - Zucchini - Peppers - Beets - Carrots - Chard, Spinach, or Kale - Peas Ready to learn more? [Image - Club Products]( Become a Charter Member of the Old Farmers Almanac Gardening[body link](Club today, and you’ll never run out of advice, tips or inspiration! And right now, when you become a Gardening Club Charter Member you will save 48%. [Claim your Gardening Club Charter Membership Now!]( When you activate your Old Farmers Almanac Gardening Club Charter Membership today, you’ll get access to everything you need about gardening: Summary of Gardening Club Membership Benefits Charter Membership in The Old Farmer's Almanac Gardening Club $66.72/year $34.97! A 48% discount! The 2023 Old Farmer’s Almanac—The classic edition has everything you’ve come to expect from the world’s premier Almanac—forecasts, folklore, and more. It’s loaded with the tips, trivia, and insights that make it a family favorite. INCLUDED The Old Farmer’s Almanac 2023 Gardening Wall Calendar—Enjoy rich illustrations and useful gardening tips on everything from planting to enjoying your garden. INCLUDED Gardening for Everyone—A curated collection of inspiring, colorful, informative, and fun gardening articles and ideas presented in a softcover book. INCLUDED Instant Unlimited Access to The Old Farmer’s Almanac Garden Guide Online Library—You’ll find eight years of Garden Guides packed with no-nonsense tips, tricks, and shortcuts to make your garden a jewel in the neighborhood or out in the country. INCLUDED The Old Farmer’s Almanac Best Everyday Recipes - 98 delicious and reliable recipes for every occasion, from quick dishes to grilling ideas to satisfying sides. You’ll find new ways to enjoy your garden harvest, plus much more! INCLUDED The Old Farmer’s Almanac EXTRA!—Because once a year is not enough! EXTRA! digital magazine is a monthly treasure trove of updates and Almanac content not found in the printed edition. INCLUDED Complete access to our ever-growing EXTRA! digital library, with more than 70 issues! BONUS Shipping and Handling INCLUDED Join today you’ll be prepared for any gardening project. Whether you garden for food, for flowers, or just for fun, a Charter Membership in Old Farmers Almanac Gardening Club will keep you entertained, informed, and inspired all year long! Sincerely, Janice Stillman Editor The Old Farmer’s Almanac P.S. I think you’ll agree that this really is an unusual offer—48% off when you become an Old Farmers Almanac Gardening Club Charter Member today! It’s an incredible deal that you don’t want to ignore! [Shipping Now!]( [Celebrate your Love of Gardening with]( [The Old Farmer's Almanac Gardening Club!]( [Image - OFIE]( Save 48% with your Gardening Club Charter Membership! Claim your Old Farmer's Almanac Gardening Club Charter Membership! [Yes! Sign Me Up Now!]( We reserve the right to substitute items based on availability. Are you on social? Enjoy more Almanac wit & wisdom! [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [YouTube]( [Pinterest]( [Twitter]( [Visit Almanac.com]( [Shop Our Store]( You received this email because you signed for updates from The Old Farmer's Almanac. If you do not wish to receive our regular e-mail newsletter in the future, please [click here to manage preferences](. *Please do not reply to this e-mail* © 2023 Yankee Publishing Inc. An Employee-Owned Company 1121 Main Street | P.O. Box 520 | Dublin, NH 03444 [Contact Us]( [View web version](