Sure, growing a vegetable garden is fun, healthy and rewarding. But it’s also a fantastic way to cut down on grocery bills. The fruit, vegetables and herbs you grow naturally, or even organic, really are superior to anything you’ll find in a store. The taste of fresh-picked vegetables is simply incredible. It’s simply the best way to get kids and the whole family to eat more fruit and veg!
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How big should the vegetable garden be?
For a first vegetable garden, an 8 m2 area will be sufficient. You can always expand and add more plants and varieties next year when you've got some experience under your belt.
- In-ground garden: 2 m x 4 m rectangle
- Squares: 2 squares of 2 m x 2 m
- Beds: 4 raised beds 1 m x 2 m
Choosing which vegetable plants to grow
Garden rules: plant the vegetables you like to eat and cook with. It's so important from a motivational standpoint. If nobody in the family likes radishes or turnips, don't plant them! If everyone adores cucumbers and beans, plant extra.
Bulb, leafy and cruciferous vegetables
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Sun Exposure |
Numbers |
Where to plant |
Seedlings |
|
Garlic |
Full Sun |
7 cloves |
In-ground |
Direct-sow (in the fall) |
|
Onions, Green onions, Leeks |
Full Sun |
20 to 30 plants |
In-ground |
Start indoors (mid-March) |
|
Lettuce, Spinach* |
Full Sun Part Shade |
Stagger planting for continuous harvest. 3 to 4 plant every few weeks |
In-ground, or raised table garden
|
Start indoors (mid-April) |
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Cabbage, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Bok choy, Brussel sprouts |
Full Sun Part Shade |
3 to 5 plants |
In-ground
|
Start indoors (mid-April) |
Fruit vegetables
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Sun Exposure |
Numbers |
Where to plant |
Seedlings |
|
Cucumber |
Full Sun |
2 plants |
In-ground or pot with a support structure (trellis) |
Direct-sow (early June) |
|
Zucchini |
Full Sun |
2 plants |
In-ground or pot with a support structure |
Direct-sow (early June) |
|
Squash and Melons |
Full Sun |
2 plants |
In-ground |
Direct-sow (early-June) |
|
Beans* |
Full Sun Part Shade |
5 climbers or 2 rows |
In-ground or pot with a support structure (trellis) |
Direct-sow (early June) |
|
Hot and Sweet Peppers |
Full Sun
|
3 plants |
In-ground or pot with a support structure |
Start indoors (mid-March) |
|
Tomatoes* |
Full Sun
|
1 cherry tomato plant 1 medium-sized tomato plant 1 large tomato plant |
In-ground or pot with a support structure |
Start indoors (mid-April) |
|
Peas* |
Full Sun Part Shade |
1 seed packet |
In-ground with a support structure (trellis) |
Direct-sow (late May) |
Root vegetables
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|
Sun Exposure |
Numbers |
Where to plant |
Seedlings |
|
Beets* |
Full Sun Part Shade |
1 seed packet |
In-ground |
Direct-sow (mid-May) |
|
Carrots* |
Full Sun |
1 seed packet |
In-ground |
Direct-sow (mid-May) |
|
Turnips |
Full Sun |
3 to 4 |
In-ground |
Direct-sow (mid-May) |
|
Radishes |
Full Sun Part Shade |
1 seed packet |
In-ground, or raised table garden. |
Direct-sow (early May) |
|
Potatoes |
Full Sun |
5 to 10 plants |
In-ground or deep container |
Direct-sow (mid-May) |
Herbs
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|
Sun Exposure |
Numbers |
Where to plant |
Seedlings |
|
Basil |
Full Sun Part Shade |
4 plants |
Pot on the deck |
Start indoors (mid-April) |
|
Chives* |
Full Sun Part Shade |
1 to 2 plants |
In-ground
|
Start indoors (late March) |
|
Parsley* |
Full Sun Part Shade |
1 to 2 plants |
Pot on the deck |
Start indoors (late March) |
|
Mint |
Full Sun Part Shade |
1 plant (note: plants spread quickly) |
Pot on the deck |
(buy) |
|
Cilantro |
Full Sun Part Shade |
1 to 2 plants |
Pot |
Direct-sow (late May) |
|
Oregano |
Full Sun Part Shade |
1 plant |
In-ground
|
(buy) |
|
Thyme |
Full Sun Part Shade |
1 plant |
In-ground |
Start indoors (early March) |
|
Rosemary |
Full Sun Part Shade |
1 plant |
In-ground |
(buy) |
Small fruits and berries
Buy plants for these.
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|
Sun Exposure |
Numbers |
Where to plant |
|
Strawberries* |
Full Sun Part Shade |
3 to 4 plants |
Hanging planter |
|
Raspberries |
Full Sun Part Shade |
Bush - depending on space |
In-ground |
|
Blueberries, Haskap berries, Gooseberries, Blackcurrants |
Full Sun Part Shade |
Bush - depending on space |
In-ground |
*These fruits, vegetables and herbs are easy to grow and therefor ideal for a first vegetable.
Plants that help others
Here are plant associations in the garden that enable plants to help each other - which make them garden staples.
- Parsley and chives, for example, repel aphids and other insects.
- Nasturtiums and marigolds, both edible flowers, repulse pests but attract pollinators.
