Fresh cucumbers. Juicy tomatoes. There are many reasons to add a vegetable garden. Here’s how to get it started.

Location

Selecting the right spot for your vegetable garden is key. Vegetables grow best in sunny spots that are well drained. Try to avoid locations near large trees, as their roots may interfere with the growth of your vegetables.

Proper Soil

As with flower gardening, the soil is an important consideration. Conduct a soil test, which measures the amount of acid and alkaline in the soil. The scale goes from 1 pH, which is highly acidic, to 14 pH, which is highly alkaline. Most soil falls somewhere in the middle. Ideally, you want soil that has a pH level of 6.2 to 7.2.

If the soil has a lower pH and, thus, has more acid, add lime. If it has a higher pH, and more alkaline, add aluminum sulfate.

Most garden centers have easy-to-use soil testing kits.

Laying Out the Plan

Before you begin digging, layout the garden on paper. Do you want a raised bed garden or one that is part of the natural lay of the land? Raised beds often are used in areas where the terrain is rocky or otherwise difficult to work with. They also are ideal in cool, wet climates because they warm up quickly in spring and dry out quickly in summer. The traditional flat garden works well in hot, dry conditions.

Then go out in the yard and use stakes to mark off the area.

Prepare the Bed

As you prepare the soil:

• Look for soil that holds together well, but also crumbles easily
• Add in plenty of peat moss or composted yard waste to stimulate growth
• Plan out your plantings to allow for enough space between vegetables

Once the soil is ready, use a rotary tiller or a shovel to dig down about 10 inches. Break up the soil and work in the peat moss or other organic matter. Rake until you have a smooth surface. Now you’re ready to plant.