Author: Maria Alfano
Nothing tastes better than a salad made from veggies harvested from your own organic vegetable garden. Follow these 11 simple steps and you will be growing your own organic veggies in no time.
When I was younger and until 2 years ago, Dad was the curator of everyone’s garden. When we suddenly lost him, I was happy that I had grown up in a home where we planted our own flowers and veggies. Everything I know I learned from watching over Dad’s shoulder.
I want to share with you the tips and tricks I learned from this humble gardener and show you the 11 simple steps to growing an organic vegetable garden so you too can boast to friends and family that you were able to go from seed to salad in no time. No to mention, you will be saving a ton of money on groceries between June and October each year.
This post is all about the “stuff” you need to grow organic vegetables, the steps required to growing your own garden, and a fast and fun salad recipe the whole family can enjoy!
From Seed to Salad – 11 Simple Steps You Need To Know For Growing An Organic Vegetable Garden
The Organic Vegetable Garden “Stuff”
So what do you need to create your own organic vegetable garden you ask? There are some items that you can’t do without and others that are optional. That all depends on the size of the space you have available to plant. If you have a large backyard, then you can do without containers (unless you like the look of them) but if you live in an apartment, then containers will be a must for your balcony. Most of this “stuff” will be re-usable.
Must Haves:
- Seeds for your favorite veggies. You can pick these up anywhere but if you want organic vegetable seeds you can find these at your local garden nursery, Home Depot, Walmart, and many local supermarkets.
- Soil – good, rich dark soil. I try to avoid things like Miracle-Gro as it may contain some chemicals that may render your garden no longer organic. Your local garden nursery will have quality soil.
- Ziploc bags. Why baggies you ask? I find the snack size works the best and they are an inexpensive way to store and seeds and start seedlings.
- Paper towel – yes you will need some kind of paper towel or napkin…instructions will follow😊
- Plastic cups – small and medium plastic cups. These will come in handy at different stages of the seedlings. You can also use empty plastic containers (well washed) from other vegetables you may have purchased in the past. I use plastic because I can store them and reuse them year after year.
- Spray bottle – This will come in handy to mist water on your delicate seedlings. Pouring water directly from the watering can damage the sensitive stems or cause you to overwater. You can get a decent squirt bottle from the dollar store. You don’t need anything fancy.
- Garden stakes – veggies that grow tall will need something to lean on and garden stakes are the perfect aid to helping them grow strong.
- Large containers – these are optional depending on the space you have and the look you desire to achieve for your organic vegetable garden. Clay pots work wonders for growing vegetables.
- Sheep’s manure – if your garden has been used over the years, it may be time to replenish the nutrients. Sheep manure is my favorite way to do this. It is organic and doesn’t have quite the stench that cow dung has.
- Labels – so that you know what you have sprouting on your kitchen counter. A permanent marker will also do the trick.
Let’s start your organic vegetable garden
Step 1
Cut a paper towel into the size that will fit nicely into your Ziploc bag so that the bag can close properly. You want to make sure that no moisture will escape the baggie and that your organic seeds will stay nice and cozy inside.
Step 2
Place the paper towel into the plastic baggie and add water enough to soak the paper towel. Add a few seeds spread evenly on the paper towel and zip it closed. You won’t need to water again if the plastic bag is sealed shut. Having said that, keep an eye out and if it looks like the paper towel is drying out, then just a few drops will do the trick.
Step 3
Label your baggies so you can easily identify what is growing. Place the seed-filled baggies in a bright warm spot. I had mine in a corner on my kitchen counter. It was the perfect spot where the sun came in from mid-morning to mid-afternoon and created a warm sauna experience for my seeds to germinate.
Step 4
The waiting begins. It will take 7 to 15 days for your seeds to sprout. Things like peppers and herbs will take longer than tomatoes and squash to germinate. To grow your organic vegetable garden in a timely manner, you may want to consider starting your peppers and herbs first, and a few days later start your tomatoes and squash.
Step 5
Transfer your seedlings to a small plastic cup. This needs to be done in stages so you don’t overwhelm the seedlings. Place 3-4 of the sprouts into the cup filled will with the good, rich, dark soil you purchased. Repeat this process until all the sprouts have been transplanted. I like to use these plastic tubs that I get my Costco tomatoes in. They not only make good little planters, but they also help me do my part to save the environment…one plastic tub at a time.
Step 6
Using your spray bottle mist your seedlings daily – just a light mist to moisten the soil. The seedlings will need to remain in the warm sunlight.
Step 7
When the seedlings have grown at least 3 leaves, it is time to transplant to a larger cup filled with soil. This time, no more than 2 per cup. This will allow the baby organic vegetable plants to start to grow fuller and larger. Remember to continue to mist them with water daily.
Step 8
Depending on where you live, you can move your plants outside into your garden or containers when there is no more risk of frost at night. In my area that is usually around mid-May. When planting in containers, ensure the container is at least 18″ or bigger for healthy fruitful plants. If you are putting them right into the ground, ensure to leave at least 6″ between each plant to allow enough room to grow big and strong.
Step 9
Water daily. Plants need water and sunlight to grow. If possible use a misting hose nozzle, in the beginning, to water your plants so that you don’t damage them. Once they are big and strong you can simply add water to the soil without the nozzle. It is best to water in the early morning or early evening. Try to avoid watering mid-day when the sun can scald the roots and kill your plants.
Step 10
Voila! Your organic vegetable garden has produced some amazing crops. It’s time for you to reap the rewards of all your hard work and harvest your crops. You will know when the tomatoes, squash, peppers, and other organic vegetables you grow are ready by their color and feel. Green beans will feel full and hard when ready to be picked. Tomatoes will have a rich deep red color. If you plant kale then be sure to leave the stalk about 4 inches from the ground when you cut the leaves. Kale, onions, and most herbs are perennial plants and will grow back every year.
Step 11
Leave one fruit from each plant that you want to grow again next year. Let it ripen fully and extract the seeds. Lay the seeds out on wax paper and allow them to dry. Once dried, place them in one of your extra baggies (one type of seed per baggie). Label the baggies and store them in a cool dry place until next year.
Dad’s Favorite Organic Vegetable Garden Salad Recipe
I have fond memories of Dad coming home from a hard day of construction work and the first thing he would do is go right into the garden, pick a tomato, and eat it like you would an apple. Then he would summon us to bring a large bowl for him to harvest today’s veggies for the salad. Below was his favorite salad; simple, humble, and wonderful just like him. This recipe will serve 1 person. You can multiply by # of guests you are serving to feed them all.
Ingredients:
- Grape tomatoes halved 1 cup
- 1 pinch of sea salt
- Oregano – ½ tsp
- Garlic powder – ¼ tsp
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Green pimento-stuffed olives 3-4
- Shaved parmesan cheese – 2 tablespoons
Directions:
Put everything into a bowl, toss well and enjoy with a piece of garlic bread. Optional – you add onions or peppers and make this a meal instead of an appetizer.
This post was all about Dad’s 11 simple steps for growing an organic vegetable garden, the things you need to make that happen, and a fun recipe for his favorite salad.
We would love to hear from you. Let us know what you planted and how your harvest turned out.