Hey everyone! I'm new to gardening and I'm looking to start a garden in my backyard here in middle Tennessee. We can access the house now, but we're moving in early June. There are already some garden beds set up, so I'm wondering where to begin. What fruits and vegetables do you recommend for a first-time gardener? If I start planting now, I could visit the garden a few times a week to check on things. If I decide to wait until early June, would your recommendations change? Any advice would be appreciated!
3 Answers
If you're starting now, go for quick-growing crops that can tolerate heat like bush beans, zucchini, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes. They’ll do great in Tennessee summers and just need some regular watering. Even if you wait until June, it's still a good time to plant summer crops. Just a heads up—avoid cool-season crops like lettuce and peas since they'll struggle in the heat. A couple of tips: start with one or two beds max, focus on healthy soil, add compost if you can, and mulch to keep moisture in!
Herbs are pretty low-maintenance and can be great for beginners, but stay away from mint—it can take over your garden!
A great tip is to plant what you love to eat! Think about veggies that you find delicious and are a bit pricey in the store. For beginners, tomatoes are a must—the taste of a fresh garden tomato is unbeatable! Also, consider herbs if you cook often; they really change up your meals. Zucchini is a solid choice since it produces a lot from just one plant. If you're up for fruits, strawberries might be your best bet for this year! You could start now or wait until June; just check the plant tags for days to harvest and see if you have enough time before fall. Tennessee's growing season is pretty long, so you should be fine!
You’re making me hungry!! All those veggies sound amazing, I want to plant them all! This is SO helpful, thank you!
How can I tell if the soil in my garden beds is good? Should I replace it? Where can I find quality soil?