Start Your Own Edible Garden

Grow delicious, nutritious fruit and vegetables in your own backyard! In this course, you'll learn how to give your garden a healthy start and keep it growing strong all season. You'll begin by figuring out which type of garden is right for you. Not everyone has the same amount of time, space, or sunshine, so the first step to a great harvest is selecting the right crops. You'll explore climate considerations, learn how to read a zone hardiness map, and find out how to spot a micro-climate in your yard. After that, you'll discover how to properly prepare a garden bed so your crops have the best opportunity to thrive. Since healthy soil is the key to a great garden, you'll see how to identify problems in pH and drainage and fix them. You'll even learn to understand fertilizers and make compost! Along the way, you'll delve into the variety of crops you can select: leafy greens, root vegetables, fruit, herbs, and more. Each type of crop has specific needs, so you'll get tips on starting seeds, transplanting, pruning, and using container gardens and support structures. In addition, you'll learn what to watch out for so you can spot pests and diseases before they destroy your bounty. And you'll take the guesswork out of watering your garden as you explore a variety of irrigation options. Whether you want to provide your family with nutritious food, save money, get some exercise, or just be more self-sufficient, this course will give you the skills and knowledge you need to be on your way to a successful harvest.