Ask the Expert
How to start a vegetable garden

(SPM Wire) - Putting fresh vegetables on your table can be as easy as visiting your own backyard.

According to Kristi Blicharski, a California-based garden designer, you can maintain a vegetable garden in any size space - from a small container garden to a large yard or garden room.

"To start, pick a location that receives at least six to eight hours of full sun," she says, "Good soil is the most important part of a successful garden. I recommend building raised beds. You can fill the raised beds with high quality organic soil that drains well. If you don't want raised beds, then be sure to amend your soil well with compost and organic matter."

Once you've prepared your beds, visit your local garden center to check out what's coming into season and what interests you. Don't be afraid to ask questions of the staff - they can be very helpful in navigating the sea of options.

"Tomatoes are great to grow in summer and can provide a hefty crop in a small space. Zucchini is also a high-yield veggie, and two plants can provide a nice steady crop for a family of four," says Blicharski.

Easy to grow vegetables for beginners include beans, radishes, onions, cucumber, peppers, and carrots. And you can grow carrots, radishes, and many lettuce varieties very well in the filtered shade of tomato plants.

Visit Internet garden forums and blogs, such as Blicharski's BloomsAndBees.com for tips from other gardeners.