FINDING YOUR SPOT
When you start a garden, you can plant directly into the ground, in a raised bed, or in pots. Whatever you choose, location is very important. Talk to an adult about the best place to plant your garden. Don't forget those three very important things your garden will need—sun, water, and healthy soil. Plants can be picky about how much light they need. Be sure the spot you choose for your garden has the right amount of sun for the type of plant you want to grow. For your vegetable garden, look for a place that is in sunlight for most or all of the day.
Tips for finding your spot
- Make sure that your water source is conveniently located for frequent watering. Your plants will need as much sun as they can get, so try to find a space that gets sun most of the day
- Access to sun, water, and soil is all plants need to grow strong and healthy. Plants are autotrophs, which means they require carbon dioxide and an inorganic nitrogen compound to create their own food. This process is called photosynthesis! During photosynthesis, a plant takes energy from the sun and water and carbon dioxide from the air and creates glucose (sugar), which feeds the plant nutrients and helps it grow. Then the plant releases fresh oxygen into the Earth’s atmosphere!
- If we didn’t have photosynthesis, humans would not be able to live on Earth. Photosynthesis is the number one source of oxygen on our planet, which allows humans and creatures to breathe! Humans and plants have what is called a symbiotic relationship. When humans breathe out, they release carbon dioxide. Plants absorb carbon dioxide, and release oxygen for humans to breathe in. Having a garden in your backyard not only produces delicious veggies, but provides more oxygen for our environment.
- Every garden is different. It’s important to know your hardiness zone and when the proper time to start your garden would be. Hardiness zones are geographical locations divided by climate that are used to determine where and when plants will thrive.
To find out what growing zone you’re in, use this link.
Move on to the next lesson to find out how to prep your soil for your garden!