Many people choose to grow their own vegetables for a variety of reasons. Some decide to do this because they want control over the use or non-use of pesticides and certain fertilizers. Others want to grow their own because it's always a guarantee that their vegetables will be the freshest possible. Still others like to do this because it's easier to have exactly what they want when they want. Part of the decision to grow your own vegetables has always been to figure out a good vegetable garden layout plan.
It doesn't take much room to grow a variety of season friendly vegetables. However, for many people who live in the city and actually have no land, there are many community gardens where you can either rent a space for a very minimal amount of money, or some community gardens can be paid for in vegetables which are frequently donated to homeless shelters.
Designing your own is pretty easy, depending on what you'd like to grow. Unlike a farm with perhaps hundreds or thousands of acres that are serviced with elaborate irrigation systems, most home gardens or even personal patches in a community garden can be easily care for with simple hoses or even a watering can.
Planning needs to include the size of your family and the amount of each vegetable you'd like to have. You also need to consider how quickly they grow and when they are ready to harvest. In some "zones", vegetables can be grown year round. Be sure you understand what you're planting and when they are ready to harvest. A row of five or six kinds can easily produce all your needs from excellent hot side dishes to cold and hot salad ingredients.
Vegetables are pretty compatible with each when it comes to sun and water needs. Things like squash and corn take up more room than a few tomato plants and some string beans. A 100 sq. Ft. Area can produce enough vegetables for not only current needs, but perhaps future year round needs if you know how to properly package and freeze or can.
