Starting a vegetable garden is a great way to live sustainably and ensure your family has easy and abundant access to healthy veggies without depending on the grocery store. Not only does it provide access to your own food, but there are several mental and physical benefits to a home garden. It’s important for beginners to be aware of the initial costs associated with starting your first vegetable garden, especially if tackling it as a DIY project.
Before you start your garden in your yard, it is important to consider the initial startup costs. These costs will be recouped over time as you enjoy your own vegetables. The initial investment will depend on your specific garden plan and a variety of factors such as materials used, garden size, and specific crops. Before heading to your local garden center, here are the costs to keep in mind when you grow vegetables for the first time:
The cost of seeds will vary due to seed quality, variety, and specific supplier. Do you want to grow cucumbers? Radishes? Zucchini? Garlic? Each of these veggies have distinctive characteristics. Therefore, you will want to identify what vegetables are best for your local climate and soil.
If you can afford to, starter transplants will save considerable time and effort and help improve your yield. These young plants are usually found at a local nursery or farm. You also can start your vegetables directly from seed. The seed packet will have information about how to best grow and care for the plant.
Before picking the specific garden soil, consider your climate, growing season, and the specific plants you would like to grow. Keep in mind garden soil is different from dirt, as it contains a mixture of minerals, organic materials, water, and air which are all essential for plants to grow.
Garden soil is designed to be paired with your native soil and fix problems such as pH balance or moisture retention. The soil itself is usually not incredibly expensive and starting with a small plot will help minimize costs as well. A soil test can help you determine your soil’s existing quality, and identify where improvements can be made.
Soil amendments are added to your native, in-ground soil to improve the overall composition. They come in a large variety and have a range of prices. The most common ones are peat moss, compost, vermiculite, perlite, and aged manure. Mulch also can be used to aid with weed prevention while also improving nutrient levels. Again, your specific needs will depend on your overall garden plan, the growing season, and climate.
Raised garden beds are particularly helpful for those with limited outdoor space and poor soil quality. Costs can vary significantly and depend on design, material, and size. Options vary from an inexpensive plastic pot to custom raised beds built from cedar or composite lumber. Trellises for climbing plants are also quite common for both form and function. Trellises are made of wood, bamboo, or metal each with a different cost.
Again, the total cost here will depend on the size and scope of your vegetable garden. Essential tools for getting started would include a wheelbarrow, rake, shovel, hose or water can, pruners, hand fork and a trowel. High-quality tools will cost more up front but last longer. Consider borrowing or renting tools to save money as well.
Having a reliable water source is vital for the success of your vegetable plants. This could be as simple as a water can or as complex as an automated sprinkler system. For your first vegetable garden, start small with simple tools.
Depending on your local climate, various intruders and unwanted pests can be a nuisance for your vegetable garden. Fencing could include wooden posts, nets, row covers and more. Whereas pest control options run the gamut from companion plants, natural repellents, or chemicals. Again, the cost will depend on the size and scope of your new garden.
As you can see, there are multiple costs associated with starting your first garden, but they vary based on a multitude of factors such as garden size and local climate.
Although the amount of investment costs for your first vegetable garden can seem high, there are several things we can do to mitigate them. Below are some beginner gardening tips to save costs and help you get the most out of your first vegetable garden:
The process of collecting and storing seeds from plants for future use is a practice as old as agriculture itself. To get a head start, save the seeds from your best performing plants for future growing seasons. Beside the compounding cost savings, seed saving also helps preserve biodiversity by maintaining the resiliency of local species.
Much like seed saving, creating your own compost helps mitigate annual costs in future growing seasons. To start your own compost pile to provide your garden with rich, organic matter, you will need a mix of greens (nitrogen rich materials) and browns (carbon rich materials). You’ll want to choose a dry, shady spot or simply use a bin.
Alternate piles between greens and browns and add water initially to dampen the pile. Once you get started, monitor the pile for moisture and temperature and make sure to turn the pile every couple of weeks. When the materials break down into a dark, crumbly texture, you can use it in garden beds or mix it with garden soil.
Understanding the difference between cool season vegetables and warm season vegetables is crucial to success. The best planting times vary from plant to plant.
Cool season crops grow best in early spring and autumn. Warm season vegetables, as expected, grow best in summer and early autumn, when temperatures are still high. Cool season vegetables include chard, carrots, beets, radishes and other root crops. Zucchini, cucumber, eggplant and tomato are the best vegetables for the warm season.
Typically, we associate DIY with cost savings; however, sometimes hiring a professional to set up and maintain your garden can help reduce long-term costs by helping avoid mistakes.
By following these tips, you will keep your fresh produce trips to the grocery store at a minimum by growing and cultivating a successful vegetable garden!
To learn more about designing and building a home vegetable garden, please download our free ebook, The Backyard Bounty: A Beginner's Guide to Growing Fresh Food, Saving Money and Enjoying Nature.