Getting Your Hands Dirty: Starting Your Homestead Garden

Today let’s “dig” into one of my favorite homesteading topics: beginning homestead gardening. If you’re thinking, “I can’t even keep a houseplant alive!” – don’t worry. I’ve been there too. But here’s a secret: gardening is less about having a “green thumb” and more about learning and persistence.

When I first started gardening, I was completely clueless. Living in growing zone 9a, where summer temperatures can soar to 120°F, I quickly learned that every climate comes with its own set of challenges. But don’t let that intimidate you – I’m here to share what I’ve learned so you can start your garden with confidence, no matter where you live!

Understanding Your Growing Zone

First things first: know your zone. Your USDA hardiness zone will dictate what you can grow and when. I’m in 9a, which means scorching summers and mild winters, but your climate might be totally different. Look up your zone – it’s your gardening roadmap. You can find your zone HERE.

Choosing Your Garden Space

Whether you have acres of land or just a sunny windowsill, you can grow something in your beginning homestead gardening. I started small with container gardening before expanding to raised beds. Something you should consider:

• Sunlight: Most veggies need 6-8 hours of sun.
• Water access: Trust me, lugging watering cans gets old SOOOO fast!
• Soil quality: We’ll get to this in a minute, but good soil is crucial.

Selecting What to Grow

Start with easy, rewarding crops. Some beginner-friendly options include:

• Tomatoes (cherry tomatoes are super easy)
• Leafy greens like lettuce or spinach
• Herbs (basil, rosemary, and thyme are pretty forgiving)
• Zucchini or summer squash
• Beans or peas

Choose plants that are well-suited to your specific climate and growing conditions. To learn more visit my garden page HERE.

Preparing Your Soil

Here’s something I learned the hard way: soil is everything. Whether you’re dealing with clay, sand, or something in between, most soils benefit from amendment. I’ve had great success with raised beds filled with a mix of:

• Good quality compost
• Aged manure
• Perlite or vermiculite for drainage

If you’re container gardening, invest in a good potting mix. Trust me, it’s worth it.

Planting and Care

Timing is crucial. Check your local extension office for a planting calendar specific to your area. In my zone, I usually plant warm-season crops in early spring for a summer harvest, and again in late summer for a fall crop.

Some universal tips I’ve picked up:

• Water deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth.
• Mulch helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Start seeds indoors or buy transplants for a head start.
• Pay attention to spacing – overcrowded plants compete for resources.

Dealing with Pests and Diseases is a must!

Every gardener deals with pests. Some organic solutions I’ve had success with:

• Companion planting
  • Tomatoes: Pair with basil (boosts flavor), marigold (repels pests), and carrots.
  • Cucumbers: Grow with beans (fixes nitrogen), radishes (repels cucumber beetles), and dill.
  • Peppers: Work well with onions, basil, and spinach.
  • Carrots: Companion plants include onions (repel carrot flies) and peas.
  • Beans: Pair with corn (provides support) and squash (acts as ground cover).
• Neem oil for soft-bodied pests
• Diatomaceous earth for crawling insects
• Encouraging beneficial insects like ladybugs and praying mantises

Remember, a healthy garden is more resistant to pests and diseases. Focus on building healthy soil and strong plants.

Harvesting and Enjoying

There’s nothing quite like eating something you’ve grown yourself. It’s not just about the food – it’s about the connection to what you eat and where it comes from. That first tomato you pick? It’ll taste better than any store-bought one, I promise.

Starting a garden can feel daunting, but remember – every expert gardener was once a beginner. Start small, be patient with yourself, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. That’s how we learn!

You can learn more about gardening HERE!

In the next post we will discuss the basics of food preservation – because once your garden starts producing, you’ll need to know what to do with all that bounty!

Until then, happy gardening!

Deanna

P.S. What are you planning to plant first? Or if you’ve already started, what’s been your biggest beginning homestead gardening challenge? Share in the comments – I’d love to hear about your green adventures!