It’s official, gardening is the hottest trend in gardening right now, and for a number of reasons. Obviously, the economy forces us to look for ways to reduce our bills and growing your own vegetables can save a lot of money compared to grocery store prices. In addition, we want to be sure that the food we put into our bodies is as healthy as possible. And the best part is that vegetables from the garden simply taste better than anything you can buy at the store.

If you’re like the millions of others who will be starting a vegetable garden this year for the first time, chances are that some tried-and-true tips will help make it a success. Even seasoned veterans never tire of remembering the most essential steps for a bountiful garden.

A vegetable garden is easy to start and doesn’t require as much effort as you might think to keep it growing. Following these simple steps will ensure that you enjoy the fruits of your labor in no time.

1) Location is key

Most vegetable plants grow best in full sun. Find a place that receives at least six hours a day if possible. To provide maximum sun exposure for all of your plants, place taller ones, such as tomatoes or green beans, on the north or west side so they don’t shade the shorter plants.

2) It’s all about the floor

The best soil for vegetables includes plenty of compost and organic matter, such as composted leaves and crushed or shredded aged bark. Whatever you start, incorporate enough organic matter so that the amended soil is not sandy or compacted.

When the mixture is good, it binds together when you squeeze it but breaks easily when you open it. This soil is full of live microorganisms that help feed your plants. The water will be sufficiently retained and will not saturate the soil either.

3) Water smartly

For most vegetable plants, 3 cm of water per week, which includes any natural rainfall, is sufficient. The most efficient and productive way to water is to use drip hoses. These deliver water slowly, to the target, allowing the roots to absorb moisture and the soil to hydrate properly and helping to keep the foliage dry. Long periods of wet foliage can promote disease. Self-timers are a great way to reduce the effort and hassle of this important step.

4) Use mulch

Add an 8cm layer of any organic mulch around your plants and over the watering lines if possible. Mulch will insulate the soil and help keep it cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. It also helps retain moisture, kills weeds, and acts as a protective barrier against diseases that splash plants from the ground. And also, mulch looks great in the garden.

Knowing the source of your mulch is just as important as using it. Especially in a vegetable garden. Some mulches may contain unacceptable amounts of harmful chemicals.

5) Be patient with pest control

Although pests are usually present somewhere in any garden, with patience nature usually solves the problem. After all, of all the insects in your garden, only about 3% are pests. As long as you practice the steps mentioned so far, you will have already taken the right steps to promote the growth of healthy plants that can better withstand potential pest invasions.

I think it’s best not to use chemicals in a vegetable garden. Instead, focus on growing healthy plants with good soil and sunny conditions and let nature take its course. Synthetic pesticides and even many organic/natural pesticides are non-selective, which means they will kill beneficial insects as well.

6) Don’t Over-Fertilize

Too much fertilizer, especially nitrogen (the first number on the fertilizer package) can promote lush green growth at the expense of less fruit and a smaller harvest. Too much fertilizer can also be harmful to your plants and soil. Instead, add as much organic compost as possible, up to about 20% of the total soil composition. Incorporate it into the rest of the soil and you’ll provide your plants with the nutrients they need to thrive naturally. In other words, feed the soil and let the soil feed the plants.

If you put into practice what I suggested above, you’ll start your garden off on the right foot and set it up for a fruitful season. Preparation is key, and the reward is a healthier, more productive vegetable garden and fresh food that tastes better than anything you can buy at the store. What’s better than that?