• If you have a plot of dirt , moisten it , let it dry out a bit , spade and work in some compost .
• Containers can be used in any garden , but especially where space is limited , and they have the advantage of portability . Almost every vegetable can be grown in containers , though they will need more attention .
• Raised beds — Lots of options ;
• You can purchase raised bed kits , made of corners that hold standard lumber cut to size .
• With a few carpentry skills , you can make your own beds from 2x8 , 2x10 , or 2x12 common redwood . Lumberyards can cut them to any length .
• Simply pile dirt ten inches or more high and three to four feet wide .
• Create a berm around the soil out of rock , old bricks , straw bolsters , or any other solid material .
Raised beds can be any length but keep them to four feet wide or less so that you can reach to the middle from either side without stepping into the bed . Leave room in beds to reach vegetables without stepping on or over them .
Plan
• It ’ s really easy to overplant . Know how much space you have available to plant . Check seed packets to see how much space you ’ ll need between rows and plants . You can plant closer with intensive gardening , but not too close .
• Discover what vegetables grow best in this area and when to plant them : UC Master Gardeners < http :// mgsantaclara . ucanr . edu /> offers tips . Plants and seeds bought locally should be fine , but some will grow better than others . Choose your plants .
Soil
• Add compost to your soil from a compost pile . No compost pile ? Start one with grass clippings , fallen leaves , and kitchen scraps . Purchase bags of compost at the garden center or larger quantities at a rockery .
• For containers or raised beds , fill with soil from your yard if possible . Otherwise , purchase bags of garden soil at the garden center or get larger quantities at the rockery . Don ’ t use Free Fill Dirt from construction companies — it won ’ t have enough nutrients to sustain your vegetables .
• Organic fertilizers are available . Read up on individual vegetables as requirements vary widely .
Plants :
• Shop the usual places : Hardware stores , garden centers , and online catalogs for seed packets and starter plants .
• Some of our favorite seeds and online / catalog sources : Johnny ’ s Selected Seeds , Seed Savers Exchange , Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds , Territorial Seed , Company , Seeds of Change , Renee ’ s Garden Seeds , Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply .
• Salad greens — leaf lettuces , not head . Look for summer or slow bolting varieties . ( leafy plants flower and turn to seed . Common in cool-season greens like arugula , lettuce and spinach )( 2 )
• Herbs : basil , chives , parsley , cilantro / coriander . Others if you have room — check space requirements .
• Tomatoes — you have to plant tomatoes . Jon Scherbart , in Gilroy admits , “ It ’ s all about tomatoes . My yard , it doesn ’ t get great sun . I save the best spot for my tomatoes .” Hybrids are consistent producers , but try some heirlooms , which come in a variety of sizes , shapes , color , and taste . Tomatoes need lots of room and lots of sun . Use the largest tomato cages that you can . It ’ s easy to overplant--we always do — but life is short , so why not ?
• Peppers — many sizes , colors , and degrees of heat are available .
• Zucchini and other summer squash grow amazingly well — too well most of the time . They take a lot of space . Don ’ t overplant or you ’ ll be dealing with overflow .
• Winter squash , pumpkins , melons , and corn are fun , but they take a lot of space and time to mature .
Irrigation
• Hand watering is simple and works fine , but takes some discipline . Seeds and transplants need close attention in the early days . And in our hot summers , plants will dry out very quickly .
• Drip irrigation and a timer are a good investment . Drip system kits and a simple batteryoperated timer can be found at most hardware
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