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Family Vegetable Garden: What to Plant to Feed 4 People?

Family planting a vegetable garden in raised beds

Growing a vegetable garden is a win for both your health and your budget. Beyond the joy of harvesting fresh produce, you provide your family with pesticide-free food and incomparable flavour. It is the perfect activity to encourage children to enjoy more vegetables!

Check out our guides to help you succeed with your projects:

What size garden should you choose for your family?

To get started without feeling overwhelmed, aim for a surface area of 8 m² (approx. 85 sq. ft.). This size allows for great diversity while remaining easy to maintain. Depending on your space, choose one of these configurations:

  • In-ground: a 2 m x 4 m rectangle
  • Square foot gardening: two 2 m x 2 m squares
  • Raised beds: four 1 m x 2 m beds

Select your varieties: plant what you love!

The secret to a productive garden is relevance. Grow the vegetables you actually cook. In zones 3 and 4, wait until all risk of frost has passed (often early June) before moving fragile plants outdoors.

Fresh lettuce growing in a garden

Bulbs and Leafy Greens

  • Garlic: 7 cloves. Direct sow in the fall (October).
  • Onions, green onions, and leeks: 20 to 30 plants. Start indoors in mid-March.
  • Lettuce and spinach: 3 to 4 plants every 2 to 3 weeks. Continuous direct sowing as soon as the soil can be worked in May.
  • Cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower: 3 to 5 plants in total. Start indoors in mid-April.

Fresh strawberries and small fruits in the garden

Fruit-bearing Vegetables and Small Fruits (A hit with kids!)

  • Tomatoes: 1 cherry plant (for snacks), 1 medium plant (Italian or market type), and 1 large-fruited plant (Beefsteak type). Start indoors in mid-April. Acclimatize them for one week before transplanting.
  • Strawberries: 4 to 6 plants. Buying established plants is recommended. Ideal for garden borders or hanging planters.
  • Raspberries: 2 to 3 plants (depending on space). Buying established plants is recommended.
  • Cucumbers and Zucchini: 2 plants of each. Direct sow in early June (soil must be warm).
  • Peppers and chilies: 3 plants. Start indoors in mid-March.
  • Beans and Peas: 2 rows or 1 seed packet. Direct sow in late May or early June.

Pro Tip for Zones 3 and 4: Opt for "early" tomato varieties (ripening in 60-65 days) to guarantee a beautiful harvest before the first fall frosts.

Assorted fresh herbs in the garden

Root Vegetables and Tubers

  • Carrots and Beets: 1 seed packet of each. Direct sow in mid-May.
  • Radishes: 1 seed packet. Direct sow starting in late April. Very fast to harvest!
  • Potatoes: 5 to 10 plants. Plant tubers in mid-May.

Herbs

  • Basil: 4 plants. Start indoors in mid-April. Very sensitive to cold!
  • Mint: 1 plant. Grow in pots only, as it is invasive.
  • Parsley and Chives: 1 to 2 plants of each. Start indoors in late March.

Tips for a Carefree Garden

  • Mulching: Cover the soil with straw to retain moisture and limit weeds.
  • Acclimatization: Move your indoor-grown plants outside for a few hours a day in the shade before final planting.
  • Companion Planting: Integrate marigolds and nasturtiums. These flowers protect your vegetables by attracting beneficial insects. Learn more about companion planting here.