For many people, planning a garden is a source of great enjoyment. How and when a garden is planted is the key to getting the most food savings, as well as to the quality and quantity of the harvest. So the prime objective should be a well-planned, well-planted, well-cared-for garden that produces a good yield.
Many beginners make the mistake of planning “too big”. They plant a large plot of land, only to find that it takes too much time and work. The result is a poorly tended garden that produces a low yield. A small plot of land will require less work and enable the beginning gardener to get the most vegetables possible out of the least amount of space. It’s both efficient and profitable.
The first phase of the planning process should take place during the winter months when you get as many seed catalogs as you can find. Browsing through seed catalogs will give you a good idea of what each company has to offer. You’ll learn who specializes in what vegetables—disease resistant varieties, short season varieties—and who offers the best selection of each vegetable you are interested in planting.
Before you actually order your seeds, you should make a list of what foods you and your family like to eat. Make sure you order only those foods you want. Also be sure to include all those foods you like but seldom get to enjoy because of their high prices in the store. That way your garden will also provide some extra treats at very little cost.
The next step in the planning process is determining how big a garden you can take care of realistically. As already noted, a small plot of land can produce both quantity and quality if properly cared for. The best thing to do is to start small, and then expand as your needs dictate. Of course, the size of your garden also depends on how much land you have available. But the main thing you want to avoid is putting out more garden than you can take care of properly.
*106\27\8*
