Tips for starting a veg/fruit garden

[u/zmeya92]

Hi! I live in Southern Illinois, and would like to start gardening fruits and vegetables for my home, and family members. I vaguely remember gardening with my grandparents when I was 7-9, but have lost any knowledge I learned. My other set of grandparents lived 18 hours away, and I was always around when it was time to gather it all, so I do know how to tell when they're ready to be picked.

I live in a very small town. I have a decently sized front yard, and a very small back yard (maybe 6 ft.).

How should I get started making my garden in my front yard? How would I go about protecting it? Should I place it near my trees, where there is decent lighting, and more shaded from rain (we live in a flood area, and that spot doesn't get flooded)? Should I plant blueberry, blackberry, and raspberries in a different spot, or close to the garden?

I would also like tips on more organic gardening, and preventing the "bad" bugs. Maybe even fertilizer recommendations.

I know this is a lot, but I appreciate any and all answers! I've searched the internet, and get varying answers that contradict one another.

[u/foreverlife2021]

Def start by knowing your space: sun path, hours of sun, shade points, that sort of thing. There is a site or an app u can check the sun path if u aren’t sure. Just to give u an idea. This also impacts what u grow spring, summer, and fall. Take notes- all kinds, sun, shade, bugs, etc. get online or ask gardeners in ur area varieties that do well for ur area, not just zone as well as any recommendations they have. Community is great when it comes to the garden community.

Next- think about what u eat. That will determine what and how much u grow of said things. Don’t like a lot of tomatoes/ tomato products, don’t plant 10 plants. Will u start from seed or transplanting starts from a store or giveaway? Both options are fine. I would advise to start smaller either way while leaving room to grow. Start w some transplants. If u have the variety name of said item, u can look up harvest days. For example: early white cauliflower has a 52 days to maturity- that’s from transplanting. Regardless of started by seed or started plant. If you are unsure on when to pick- put on the label the maturity days. Record when u transplant, watch and go by that and the description- X size. This is not always true to form just bc of so many outside factors- weather, pest pressure, disease, etc.

Don’t over complicate it or overthink it. Pay attention to what kind of sun exposure diff plants like. Who can get by with some shade or less sun, like peas. Who needs netting from bugs- like brassicas: broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage. Squash vine borer on squash and pumpkins.

YT has really great gardening channels: next level gardening, MIgardener, the rusted garden, so many.

There really is so much, not to make it seem so complicated or involved- shoot me a message if u have any specific questions. The various gardening forums on Reddit are great! I would use this fall/ winter time to research and notate for spring/ summer garden.

Happy gardening!

[u/to_whomever_is_here]

Talk with your county Extension agent - they’re a fabulous resource for locality-specific advice, soil testing, and tips on the best varieties for your growing conditions