| Vegetable garden design is vital as you start planting | | | | allows you to access the plant beds from the edge |
| vegetable gardens, because it's important to know | | | | of the garden instead of coming from the interior of |
| how the garden will be laid out. Companion planting, | | | | the planting bed. This allows you to avoid stepping on |
| planting space, and what type of vegetables you | | | | the beds, which is important, because that tends to |
| want to plant are all elements that must be | | | | harden, or pack down the soil and makes it difficult |
| considered when putting together your garden layout. | | | | to aerate and dig in the fall or spring. An added |
| Here are some helpful tips on how to plan your own | | | | convenience is that the bed style is a great way to |
| garden and start planting vegetables. | | | | make the most of your available garden space, and |
| Take Time to Sit Down and Plan | | | | for easy gardening, you can even use raised beds. |
| Before choosing a vegetable garden design you need | | | | Of all the styles, the "potager" type is the most |
| to decide on what variety of vegetables you would | | | | decorative vegetable garden design. The word, |
| like to plant and where you would like to place them. | | | | "potager," which means kitchen garden in French, is |
| Here are additional factors you need to consider for | | | | described as geometric, which allows you to plant |
| your garden layout: | | | | your garden by color or even food type, in circles or |
| * Type of Vegetables * Amount of Light in the | | | | whatever shape you prefer. |
| Space * Drainage System * Soil Amendments * | | | | Companion Planting as an Option |
| Garden Space * Additional Space (if needed) | | | | Companion planting is the placement of different |
| You also need to think about whether you want to | | | | types of plants together that actually help each other |
| plant a variety of vegetables, or you want to grow | | | | in the growing process. For instance, Native |
| one type of vegetable. Researching about the | | | | Americans commonly planted corn, beans and squash |
| amount of light certain vegetables need, and the | | | | together. While the corn gives the beans a place to |
| amount of space needed are both vital facts that | | | | climb, the beans place nutrients in the soil for its |
| need to be considered. | | | | three companions and the shade from the squash |
| Make a list of vegetable plants you want to use and | | | | leaves provides shade for the plant roots beside it. |
| find the plant requirements of each, and then | | | | This preserves water as well as serving in the |
| compare that with the available garden space you | | | | prevention of weeds. Onions are great companion |
| have. This will provide you with an idea of where you | | | | plants, as well, because they tend to drive aphids and |
| need to place certain vegetables in your space. | | | | slugs away from other vegetables. Basil and carrots |
| Choose Your Type of Garden Layout | | | | make great companion plants for tomatoes, because |
| Vegetable garden design layouts come in three basic | | | | they actually improve the tomatoes taste. One final |
| types and they are: rows, beds and "potager" style. | | | | example is horseradish, which when planted with |
| The most popular type is the rows style of layout, | | | | potatoes, will protect them from disease. |
| which involves planting seeds in a row which can | | | | This concept is certainly worth spending time on, and |
| either consist of planting one type of seed in a row | | | | will provide you with years of enjoyable and |
| or several different types of seed. | | | | successful gardening. For more information, you can |
| The bed type of vegetable garden design is similar to | | | | do research in your local library or online for |
| the rows style, but in a smaller way. This design | | | | vegetable garden design. |