Vegetable Gardening Instructions for Beginners

Overview

Growing vegetables in your backyard can initially seem overwhelming. However, it's easy to learn the basics of creating a prosperous vegetable garden. Sunlight, good soil and water are the ingredients for success when creating your vegetable garden.

Step 1

Choose a spot in your yard that gets at least six hours of sunlight a day. Determine what types of vegetables you'd like to plant; tomatoes, onions, green beans and squash are easy to grow for beginners.

Step 2

Prepare your vegetable bed by adding layers of fertile soil. Confirm the soil has proper drainage by making sure no standing water remains after watering. Add moss or compost to help improve the soil's drainage, if needed.

Step 3

Follow the instructions on each vegetable plant marker or seed packet for spacing and depth specification. Depths can range from 1/4 inch to 6 inches deep. Dig holes in the garden with a garden trowel or your hands. Place the plant in the hole, filling in extra space with soil.

Step 4

Add at least 1 inch of water to the garden per week. Keep garden pests away by putting up a garden border or fence around your garden. Note that many garden pests can jump low garden borders; consider a taller garden fence, if needed.

Step 5

Harvest your vegetables by carefully pulling the vegetables away from the plant.