A backyard veggie garden can bring gardeners joy during the growing and harvesting seasons. Some gardeners like to know where their food comes from, others want to reduce chemicals used in traditional farming or find relief from high grocery prices.
The farm-to-table movement has created renewed interest in how commercial growers produce the food we enjoy daily. Many view a backyard vegetable garden as a way to connect with the outdoors and make healthy choices for their families.
Greg Meyer is an extension educator with the Ohio State University (OSU) Extension office, focusing on agriculture and natural resources. He shares tips and advice for anyone interested in tackling a backyard garden for the first time.
Start with Soil
Greg notes that it is important for gardeners to understand the soil they will use to grow their crops. A soil test will “measure soil pH and the nutrient levels in your garden,” he tells us. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. The ideal soil pH for most veggies is 6.0-7.0. This information is crucial for gardeners to fertilize the soil properly to encourage healthy growth.
Find the Best Spot
Much like a cat will always find the best sunspot for an afternoon nap, vegetables need good placement to maximize sun exposure.
“Vegetables need full sun to be successful,” Greg says.
Ten hours of sunlight every day is ideal for the best growth. This rule applies whether crops are grown in a garden, a container or a raised bed.
Monitor Plants
Backyard gardens involve a fair amount of work, and a laissez-faire approach to gardening will lead to disappointment. While there is no need to go to extremes, it is important to learn how to recognize signs that the plants may be distressed. Greg emphasizes that plants must be regularly monitored for insects, diseases or other problems.
Harvest to Grow
Knowing when to harvest a crop isn’t an exact science, but “if you keep harvesting, the plant will keep making more,” Greg notes. “If you don’t, then production will slow down.” Harvesting a crop encourages new growth as the plant tries to replace what was taken, but this only applies when harvesting a portion of the plant–not the entire crop.
Use Local Gardening Resources
Gardening was always a part of Greg’s life growing up.
“My grandparents had a small farm in Northern Ohio,” he shares. “I developed a passion for livestock and agriculture while helping on the farm. I like to teach and work with people to help themselves through research-based education.”
Leeoria Willis, an agriculture and natural resources educator and master gardener volunteer coordinator with the OSU Extension Office, advises new growers to make a plan before they begin their first garden. Each plant has different soil, water and sunlight requirements and unique planting guidelines.
She also recommends attending classes to learn more about all kinds of planting and to find new like-minded friends. She notes that some libraries host gardening classes throughout the year.
“Classes taught by master gardeners help residents better prepare for the gardening season, as well as promote gardening education throughout the year,” she says. “There is always more to learn, and residents can call their local extension office for additional support.”
Greg adds, “Master gardeners enjoy working with people in the community and we are available to help. We use research-based education to help Ohioans improve their lives, families and communities,” he explains.
The extension office provides the community with vital, research-based advice on topics such as soil health and pest management for both home gardeners and small farmers alike. Annual 4-H project exhibitions at summer county fairs also highlight the local extension office's core mission of education and community building.
For more information about gardening education and extension office volunteer opportunities, visit Extension.OSU.edu.