Whether you're looking for a new hobby or just want to be more connected to what you eat, food gardening is a great way to save money while growing delicious and nutritious food.
The idea of growing your own food can sound overwhelming, so we talked to experts who assured us that it's not as difficult as you think.
"I soon realized that once you've started, maintaining a garden isn't much work," says David Toht, author of "Backyard Homesteading: A Back-to-Basics Guide to Self-Sufficiency" and "40 Projects for Building Homesteading." Your Backyard Home: A Practical Step-by-Step Guide to Sustainable Living.”
"It's a pleasure to check the garden at night and find, shall we say, more peas ready to sauté."
Brian Brigantti of the Redleaf Ranch TikTok account, which has 1.3 million followers, shares a similar wonder about gardening.
“We started our garden in March 2020, as a result of the pandemic.
With growing uncertainty about how affordable food would be, I focused on growing it ourselves,” says Brigantti.
“The more I immersed myself in the world of gardening, the more I realized how important it is to have this wisdom.
Not just growing food, but how nature really works."
“As I learned more about the interconnectedness of nature and how much we can influence it, I became more passionate about it,” Brigantti continues.
“Fast forward two years later: It has become my world.
A continuous journey full of wonder and fantasy”.
Brigantti also touts the power of eating food grown in your own backyard.
“Growing your own food gives you a much deeper appreciation of what you consume,” he says.
“You appreciate and value it much more knowing that it was created through your own hands.
You have the peace of mind knowing that what you have grown is all natural, fresh and organic.”
Toht echoes the benefits of eating cleaner, healthier food from your own garden.
“Growing your own vegetables offers fresh food that's loaded with flavor, and you know exactly what's included or not included,” she says.
“But not only will you get the freshest food possible, you'll also save money.
Back in the '80s, I tracked what we got out of our garden and compared it to the cost of buying the same produce at a farmer's market.
Our 10x30 foot garden brought us over $800 worth of produce, in 1980's dollars!
In addition to eating healthier foods and saving money, Brigantti says gardening also helps you stay physically active.
“You become more agile and stronger,” he says.
“It's just good for the soul.
There is something about putting your hands in the dirt and feeling the dirt run through your fingers that is so therapeutic.”
Gardening Tips and Tools
If you want to start your own garden, the first thing to do is find out if your space can support one.
Toht says that the amount of light the space receives is critical.
"Make sure the area you choose gets at least six hours of sun," he says.
“Measure this by recording every hour how much sun hits the chosen spot.
Or buy a measuring device like Rapditest SunCalc.
You simply stick it into the ground for 12 hours and it will record the degree of sunlight.
“
While Brigantti also recommends finding a spot with five to six hours of sunlight, he says it's not absolutely necessary.
“You can do a lot with a fully lit or partially shaded space,” says Brigantti.
“If you get less daylight, there's even a chance for a shade garden!
Many plants grow and thrive in shaded areas."
There are several ways to dig and build your garden, but Brigantti recommends the no-till gardening method.
“It's simple, it's effective, and most importantly, it's great for the soil,” he says.
“Once you have decided on the location and size of the plot, use your shovel to dig a narrow trench in the shape of your bed so that you have its outline.
Which shape you create is up to you, depending on your space a round or rectangular bed would work best.
This ditch also ensures that weeds don't easily enter your bed."
After you have an outline, Brigantti recommends aerating the soil by poking holes with a pitchfork and gently lifting the soil, thus creating air spaces.
This makes the soil easier to work with, easier for plants to take root, and invigorates the microorganisms that live in the soil.
Next, Brigantti says you'll need to remove the weeds so your plants don't compete for nutrients.
To do this, he tells him to cover his entire area with cardboard, then soak the cardboard with a hose.
Then he adds a 3- to 5-inch layer of soil on top of the cardboard (Briganti likes to use compost and worm castings, but says a mix of compost and garden soil will work too).
All that's left to do is plant, which Brigantti says is easily done by cutting small holes in the cardboard and inserting the plants so their roots can sink deep into the soil.
Then he adds 2 to 3 inches of mulch on top so the entire environment can retain moisture.
For a more detailed breakdown of this method, check out Brigantti's full tutorial here.
He recommends doing this as soon as the soil becomes workable in early spring.
While the no-tillage method may be easier on your back, if you want to till your soil, Toht says it can be easily done in a day.
“I recommend digging 4 foot wide beds with paths in the middle.
That way you can weed and harvest without compacting the soil,” he says.
“Double digging, something invented by French gardeners, allows you to place plants closer together.
Simply dig a shovel-width trench about 10 inches deep, setting aside the dirt.
Then he forks the bottom of the trench and adds compost if you have it.
Next, dig a trench next to the first one and pour the soil into the first trench.
Keep ditching and branching and you'll end up with an aerated garden 16 inches down.
The plants love it.”
In terms of which plants are best to start your garden with, Brigantti suggests kale, carrots, rosemary, onions, spinach, and marigolds for the spring, and tomatoes, peppers, zinnias, sunflowers, and beans in the summer.
Another plant Brigantti recommends including is comfrey.
"A must-have plant in the garden is comfrey, a deeply nutritious plant that many organic gardeners use as a fertilizer, either digging it into the soil where it's planted or tossing it into their compost for a nice boost," he says.
Root Assassin One Shot Garden Shovel
Amazon
Toht says he loves planting tomatoes, pickle-sized cucumbers, pea pods, yellow squash and zucchini in the warm seasons.
And if you want to try a late harvest, he recommends trying Brussels sprouts as they last well into winter.
However, Toht says that what you can grow depends on your climate, so you should talk to other experts in your city.
“Nothing better than talking to local gardeners who have a few years of experience,” says Toht.
Some more tips from Toht and Brigantti:
"Irrigation is critical, especially in very hot climates," says Toht.
“To get water where it's needed most, pierce the bottom of plastic milk jugs and bury them near your plants.
Sink each one so only the top is showing.
During dry spells, fill each jug from a hose in the morning.
The perforations release the water in the roots;
low enough that the water doesn't evaporate during hot spells."
“There are many bugs!
Do not be afraid, most of them are your allies in the garden.
Learn to love them, cultivate them, and welcome them into your gardens,” says Brigantti.
“The paper they give him is invaluable”
“Every summer is different, so go ahead and modify your methods if the first year isn't as successful as you'd like,” says Toht.
“Also, let me put in a plug for laying hens.
More and more towns allow it.
With chickens, not only do you get fresh, humanely raised eggs (caged chickens spend their lives in a space no larger than a sheet of copier paper), but the chickens happily eat weeds and clippings, and supply nitrogen to the compost pile.
rich manure.
“
“Build a relationship with your plants.
Learn what they need and learn how to provide it.
Don't be afraid of failure,” says Brigantti.
“Pruning, pruning, pruning!
Your plants will grow much better with effective pruning.
Lastly, make sure to feed your plants!
They need to eat.
Fertilize your plants well throughout the season to increase their energy.”
Below are some tools to help you build and maintain the garden of your dreams, as recommended by our experts.
Luster Leaf 1875 Fastest Sunlight Calculator Suncalc
$29.99 $23.93 on Amazon
Luster Leaf 1875 Fastest Sunlight Calculator Suncalc
Amazon
This nifty tool will help you determine if your space is getting enough light for a garden.
Simply insert it into the ground and let it measure sunlight for 12 hours.
Fiskars Ergo Garden Trowel
$7.89 at Amazon
Fiskars Ergo Garden Trowel
Amazon
“I do everything I need to do in the garden with a trowel, pruning shears, pitchfork, rake, shovel, pickaxe, garden hose, watering can, barrel wheel, and organic fertilizer (store-bought to make something homemade),” Brigantti says.
This hand trowel has a polished aluminum head to resist rust so it will last for years to come.
Gonicc 8 Inch Professional Premium Titanium Bypass Pruning Shears
$27.95 at Amazon
Gonicc 8 Inch Professional Premium Titanium Bypass Pruning Shears
Amazon
Keep your plants in tip-top shape with these pruning shears.
Fiskars Ergo D-Handle Steel Garden Fork
$40.41 on Amazon
Fiskars Ergo D-Handle Steel Garden Fork
Amazon
Aerate the soil easily with this large pitchfork.
coconut garden rake
$39.99 at Amazon
coconut garden rake
Amazon
A good garden rake makes spreading the soil evenly throughout your garden a piece of cake.
Fiskars 46-Inch Steel D-Handle Square Garden Shovel
$35.56 at Amazon
Fiskars 46-Inch Steel D-Handle Square Garden Shovel
Amazon
For deep digging, nothing beats a good shovel like this one from Fiskars, which has an oversized D-handle to ensure a firm grip.
Forged adze pick
$19.99 at Amazon
Forged adze pick
Amazon
Break up hard, compacted soil and remove stubborn weeds with this little pick.
Flexzilla 100ft Garden Inlet Hose
$86.99 $64.99 at Amazon
Flexzilla 100ft Garden Inlet Hose
Amazon
Watering your garden is crucial.
Connect this 100-foot hose to your outside faucet to make sure every inch of your yard can get water.
Cado 2 Gallon Shower
$27.83 $21.46 on Amazon
Cado 2 Gallon Shower
Amazon
And if you want a more precise watering experience, check out this simple two-gallon watering can.
Best Choice Products Two-Wheel Home Garden Wheelbarrow
$129.99 at Amazon
Best Choice Products Two-Wheel Home Garden Wheelbarrow
Amazon
“In addition to a device to measure sunlight and basic digging tools, you'll eventually need a wheelbarrow for general transportation,” Toht says.
This wheelbarrow makes moving earth a breeze.
Kneeler and garden stool
$69.95 $46.99 on Amazon
Kneeler and garden stool
Amazon
"You'll also want a knee brace for planting and weeding, or better yet, a garden kneeler that doubles as a handy bench and helps you get up from your knees," says Toht.
land for gardening
“Soil-wise, plants love rich, loose, brittle soil,” says Toht.
“To do a quick test of your soil, take a handful and squeeze.
Too sandy soil will crumble.
The clay will squeeze into a heavy ball and have an oily feel.
Loam, the right material, holds its shape somewhat and has a silky smooth feel.
Compost can improve sandy or clay soils over time, but you can choose to buy a load of black soil to start with.”
If you don't have a compost pile and are going to buy your own soil, Brigantti has a favorite brand.
“I love all Espoma products.
They are organic and safe for the environment and the soil,” says Brigantti.
“I always urge people to NEVER use anything synthetic or chemical in the garden.
It can also be incredibly damaging to soil ecology and wildlife."
Espoma Company Organic Substrate for Vegetables and Flowers
$22 at Amazon
Espoma Company Organic Substrate for Vegetables and Flowers
Amazon
This Espoma soil is organic and has a blend of sphagnum peat, peat humus and earthworm humus to help keep the soil airy and light.
Espoma Garden-tone 3-4-4 Natural and organic food for herbs and vegetables
$49 $44.98 at Amazon
Espoma Garden-tone 3-4-4 Natural and organic food for herbs and vegetables
Amazon
If you want to give your plants a little more love, use this herb and vegetable food to ensure they get all the nutrients they need.
gardening books
'Backyard Family Farming: A Basic Guide to Self-Sufficiency' by David Toht
$16.95 at Amazon
“Family Backyard Farming: A Basic Guide to Self-Sufficiency” by David Toht
Amazon
Toht says this book has mostly pure gardening, but his other title "40 Projects to Build Your Backyard Home: A Practical, Step-by-Step Guide to Sustainable Living" is newer and more popular.
'Gaia's Garden: A Guide to Permaculture on a Household Scale' by Toby Hemenway
$23.47 at Amazon
“Gaia's Garden: A Guide to Permaculture on a Household Scale” by Toby Hemenway
Amazon
"An AMAZING gardening book that completely changed my perspective on gardening and taught me so much is Gaia's Garden by Toby Hemenway," says Brigantti.
"It's everything you need to know about permaculture, my favorite way of gardening."
'The Self-Reliant Life and How to Live It: The Complete Back-to-Basics Guide' by Jon Seymour
$21.30 at Amazon
“The Self-Reliant Life and How to Live It: The Complete Back-to-Basics Guide” by Jon Seymour
Amazon
Toht says he started gardening from this book, which he says was originally published in England but has since been expanded and reissued in the US.