Grow Your Own Garden

Learn how to grow your own garden, starting small and building toward a bountiful homestead over time.

If you've ever dreamed of stepping outside your back door to pick fresh vegetables, herbs, or fruit, then you're probably ready to start your homesteading journey.

Learning how to grow your own garden is one of the best ways to become more self-sufficient, and it’s surprisingly easy to get started—even if you’ve never touched a garden trowel before.

When we first started our own homestead, we didn’t begin with a sprawling garden or acres of crops.

In fact, we started small.

One raised bed here, a few pots of herbs there, and slowly but surely, we expanded.

With each season, we learned new skills, planted new crops, and eventually grew our garden into something that now feeds our family and brings immense satisfaction.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to grow your own garden, no matter where you are or how much space you have.

It doesn't matter whether you are starting with a few pots on your porch or planning a large backyard garden, these tips will help you get started on the right foot.

Why Grow Your Own Garden?

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of planting, let’s talk about why growing your own garden is such a great idea, especially for those looking to start homesteading.

• Fresh, healthy produce: When you grow your own food, you know exactly how it’s been raised. No pesticides, no harmful chemicals—just fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables straight from your garden to your plate.

• Self-sufficiency: Gardening is one of the first steps toward homesteading and becoming less reliant on grocery stores. It gives you control over your food supply, which is an empowering and practical way to live.

• Save money: While there’s an initial investment in seeds, soil, and tools, over time, growing your own garden will save you money on groceries. Plus, you can preserve your harvest by canning, freezing, or dehydrating what you grow, making it last through the winter months.

• Connection to nature: There’s something incredibly grounding about working with the earth. Watching your plants grow, tending to them, and harvesting your own food helps you build a deeper connection to the natural world.

Start Small: The Key to Success

When we started our garden, we had grand ideas about rows of corn, fields of pumpkins, and more tomatoes than we could possibly eat.

But reality quickly set in: we didn’t have the space, the time, or the experience to manage such an ambitious garden. So, we scaled back and started small.

Starting small is the key to success for any beginner gardener. You don’t need acres of land or dozens of different crops to get started.

A few simple beds or containers are all you need to begin growing your own food.

Here’s how to start small and grow your garden over time:

• Pick a few easy crops: Start with vegetables that are known for being beginner-friendly. Leafy greens like lettuce and spinach, root vegetables like carrots and radishes, and herbs like basil and rosemary are all great options for a first-time gardener.

• Use containers or raised beds: If you don’t have a large yard, don’t worry! You can grow plenty of food in containers or raised beds. In fact, raised beds are one of the best ways to start your garden because they give you control over the soil and drainage, making it easier to manage.

• Learn as you grow: Every garden teaches you something. In your first season, you’ll learn about how much sun different plants need, how often to water, and how to deal with pests. Don’t worry if everything doesn’t go perfectly—gardening is a learning process.

Choosing The Right Spot For Your Garden

One of the most important decisions you’ll make when starting to grow your own garden is where to plant it.

The success of your garden depends largely on the location, so take the time to choose the right spot.

Here are a few things to consider when selecting a spot for your garden:

• Sunlight: Most vegetables and herbs need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Watch your yard for a few days and see which areas get the most sun. If your space is limited, consider growing plants that thrive in partial shade, like leafy greens or certain herbs.

• Soil: Healthy soil is the foundation of a productive garden. If you’re planting in the ground, have your soil tested to see if it needs any amendments like compost or fertilizer. If you’re using raised beds or containers, start with a high-quality garden soil mix.

• Water: Make sure your garden is close to a water source. You’ll need to water your plants regularly, especially during the hot summer months, so make it easy on yourself by choosing a spot near a hose or rain barrel.

• Protection from wind and pests: If possible, pick a location that’s sheltered from strong winds, which can damage delicate plants. You’ll also want to think about protecting your garden from pests like rabbits, deer, or even neighborhood pets.

Planning Your Garden Layout

Once you’ve chosen the spot for your garden, it’s time to plan the layout.

This is the fun part where you get to decide what to plant and where to plant it.

Even if you’re starting small, it’s helpful to draw a simple map of your garden so you can visualize how everything will fit together.

Here are some tips for planning your garden layout:

• Group plants by their needs: Plants with similar sunlight and watering needs should be planted together. For example, sun-loving vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and squash should be grouped together, while shade-tolerant greens can be planted in a separate area.

• Use companion planting: Some plants grow better when they’re next to certain companions. For example, basil is known to improve the flavor of tomatoes, and marigolds can help repel pests from vegetables.

• Leave room to grow: Make sure to space your plants according to their growth habits. Some plants, like zucchini or cucumbers, need lots of room to spread out, while others, like carrots or radishes, can be planted more closely together.

Growing Over Time: Expanding Your Garden

After your first season of gardening, you’ll likely catch the bug and want to expand.

That’s exactly what happened to us!

Once we had a few successful harvests under our belt, we started adding more raised beds, planting more diverse crops, and even trying out fruit trees and berry bushes.

Here are some ideas for expanding your garden over time:

• Add new crops: Each season, try adding a few new crops to your garden. Maybe you start with leafy greens and tomatoes in year one, but in year two, you add beans, peas, or root vegetables like beets and potatoes.

• Grow vertically: If space is limited, consider vertical gardening. You can use trellises to grow vining crops like cucumbers, beans, or even small varieties of squash.

• Try perennials: Once you’re comfortable with annual vegetables, try planting some perennial crops like asparagus, rhubarb, or fruit trees. These plants take longer to establish but will reward you with food for years to come.

Dealing With Challenges

No garden is without its challenges, and learning how to deal with them is part of the journey.

Whether it’s pests, diseases, or weather issues, challenges will arise—but don’t be discouraged.

Here are some common challenges you might face when starting your garden:

• Pests: From aphids to rabbits, pests can wreak havoc on a garden. You can use natural methods like companion planting, row covers, or homemade sprays to keep pests at bay.

• Weather: Too much rain, too little rain, late frosts—Mother Nature can be unpredictable. Try to plan for these challenges by choosing the right plants for your climate and being flexible with your garden layout.

• Time: Life gets busy, and sometimes it’s hard to keep up with garden maintenance. The key is to start small and expand at a pace that’s manageable for you.

Enjoy the Fruits (and Veggies) of Your Labor

One of the most rewarding parts of growing your own garden is, of course, the harvest.

There’s nothing quite like picking your first ripe tomato or gathering a bunch of fresh herbs for dinner.

As you get more comfortable with gardening, you’ll not only enjoy the food you grow, but you’ll also find a deeper connection to the land and the satisfaction of creating something from scratch.

So, if you’re ready to grow your own garden, start small, be patient, and enjoy the journey.

Whether you’re dreaming of a small herb garden or a large, productive homestead, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve over time. Happy gardening!