Which Types of Vegetables Will Grow in Your Yard?

July 6, 2014

Are you thinking of turning your yard into a garden full of vegetables? Instead of mowing and watering a lawn all summer, harvest veggies from it. The idea of free food is reward enough, but there are ways to get the most out of your yard garden. Mainly, growing the right vegetables is the first step.

How to succeed with yard vegetable growing

In general, you will want to grow vegetables that are hardy and have a preferred spread pattern as they grow. You will also want to grow vegetables that look attractive from the curb and suit your local environment. However, there are a few ways to succeed every time. For instance, you can try your hand at container gardening. This keeps you from digging up your yard. In addition, it enables you to move plants to sunnier or shadier spots in the yard if they do not thrive.

Vegetables to avoid

Due to the large amount of garden space vines can use, certain vegetables will not be suitable for a yard garden. For example, cucumber, watermelon, pumpkin, zucchini, and squash plants are vines that spread far if they are not staked. A small yard may not be able to accommodate them. On the other hand, you may have enough acreage to allow them create a spreading vine theme in your yard. Other vegetables that may be a challenge for those new to yard gardening are asparagus, swiss chard, Brussels sprouts and broccoli.

Planning the easiest growing vegetables

If you do not want to spend hours carefully grooming your plants, there are several vegetables you can grow in your yard instead. In particular, a few potato plants around your gutter drain will produce a large amount of food with little effort. Growing vining tomatoes in a sunny spot next to a fence only requires quick watering throughout the week. Additional low-maintenance, yard-friendly vegetables include baby salad greens, onions, garlic, loose-leaf cabbages, peppers, and herbs.

Making a yard garden attractive

When you are replacing your front or back yard with a vegetable garden, you may still want curb appeal. While potatoes tend to look scraggly and onions get yellow tips, other vegetables have an attractive appearance. For example, the rich foliage and colors of peppers are a good choice. Other ornamental vegetable include tomatoes, lettuces, cabbages, sunflowers, and radishes.

Do not forget a few beneficial flowers

Did you know that growing marigolds in your garden is a good way to get rid of unwanted insects? Focusing on converting your yard into a vegetable garden does not mean that you need to forego flower growing altogether. When you are buying your seeds and baby plants at the nursery, be sure to pick up certain flower varieties that work to benefit the garden. For example, Sweet Alyssum is a fragrant flower that will smother weeds between vegetables. Borage and Korean Mint attract the types of bugs you want around your plants that will eat harmful insects.

Do not forget the soil

Above all, it does not matter what type of vegetables you plant in your front yard if you do not have the right type of soil. Before you plant, you will want to loosen the soil at least 2 feet. Of course, be cautious about rupturing water, electrical or other types of pipes that may be buried in your yard. Before you start planting, revive the soil with fresh compost. Now that you understand the basics, you now have the tools to create the yard garden of your dreams.