I'm excited to start planning for my vegetable garden in 2026! This summer, we had our first experience with a vegetable garden, and it was amazing—about 50 square feet of space, and we've been enjoying fresh produce almost daily since June. We're looking to expand next fall and spring with a new long garden bed that's 4'x24', plus we have 24 10-gallon grow bags. I'm wondering how to make the best use of this space to provide enough food for our family of six, including some for winter storage (we freeze, freeze dry, and want to learn canning). Any tips or strategies?
2 Answers
One strategy is to go vertical where you can. Adding trellises or stacking plants can really maximize your growing area. Also, consider rotating your crops through three seasons based on your climate. You could start with spring greens and radishes, transition into summer veggies, and then plant fall crops like brassicas and late-season tomatoes. If you use frost cloth and plastic over hoops, you might be surprised how much can survive the winter!
In your location, growing across three seasons sounds perfect! Start with quick-growing spring vegetables, then dive into your beloved summer crops. Towards the end of the summer, plant some fall greens and tomatoes. Depending on your zone, some plants can even overwinter. It’s great you're interested in expanding your knowledge on seasonal planting; it can really pay off!
I’m also in zone 7a and it’s definitely doable! Keep learning and experimenting with your garden.
This! Going vertical really does help.