So, you want to start a backyard vegetable garden, but you live in the mountains? Gardening can be a fun, rewarding hobby that doesn’t require a lot of space or money. However, it can be a little more challenging when you live in the mountains. But with a little planning and some basic knowledge, you can create a garden right in your own backyard! Here are some tips on how to get started.
#1 Tip for Planting a Backyard Vegetable Garden: Find the Best Location
Soil, water, and sun are key to a bountiful vegetable garden. For many of us across the West, this means creating a garden in a raised bed with nutrient-rich garden soil from your local garden or home improvement store.
Raised beds should also have ample drainage. Overly damp soil can lead to rot in your plant root system. Also, locate your bed in a sunny area of your property with protection from strong breezes. Most vegetable plants need 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight and wind can damage young plants or keep pollinators away.
#2 Tip for Planting a Backyard Vegetable Garden: Choose Plants that Work Well in Your Climate
There is a natural inclination to plant a carrot if you love eating carrots, but novice to expert gardeners need to remember that not every plant will grow in every area… no matter how much you love to eat them. Research what plants will grow in your area. Start with the information on your seed packets, and if you need more information, check out your local library or community college.
Plants that have grown especially well for me in the alpine are squash, onions, and lettuce.
#3 Tip for Planting a Backyard Vegetable Garden: Start Seeds Indoors
This tip is especially important for gardeners in the alpine or high desert climates, like me. Living in Bend, it is not uncommon for us to see snow in April or freezing nighttime temperatures when most parts of the country are well into summer.
Start your seeds with seed-starting soil. Keep moist, but not overly damp. Place in a well-lit temperature-controlled environment. Transplant to your garden after seedlings mature and are established.
#4 Tip for Planting a Backyard Vegetable Garden: Protect from All Pests
Pests don’t always mean bugs. My house backs onto forest land. Rabbits and deer are frequent visitors. When I lived in Tahoe, it was not uncommon to find bear in your yard. All of these creatures are more than happy to help themselves to your vegetables. Here in Bend, I built a custom structure out of wood and chicken wire to keep pests out. As for bears? Consult a professional! An electric fence may be your only option.
#5 Tip for Planting a Backyard Vegetable Garden: Keep it Organic
When in doubt, use natural solutions for fertilizer or pest control solutions. Organic fertilizers are rich in organic matter, not chemicals that can harm natural wildlife through water run-off. Use of organic products not only helps reduce your carbon footprint but also enables you to enjoy pesticide-free vegetables when making your favorite Be Wild Eats recipes like Farmers Market Breakfast Tomato and Baby Kale Polenta or Fireside Butternut Squash Risotto.
More Resources
Need more above? Plenty of great reading is readily available. Check out these resources for more information:
