Why Vegetables?

Have you been thinking about growing some of your own vegetables? Whether you garden in a yard, a balcony, or a shared garden space, it does not need to be an overwhelming or costly proposition. Begin with an idea and start with a small plot or a container suitable to contain the crop you plan to grow. As you celebrate your successes and see the possibilities, you can gradually increase the space and try new crops.

Growing edible plants shows children where some of their food comes from. To see a child smile when they bite into a sugar snap pea they grew and picked off the vine, or experience their wonder digging a potato from the ground. What a sense of accomplishment you will have given them and yourself! Homegrown vegetables eliminate the worry about recalls of commercially grown crops and a reduction in plastic packaging is a bonus. Finally, paying attention to natural cycles, the weather, and temperatures is a great way to de-stress.

In the midst of this winter's harsh temperatures and snow, seed catalogs arrived. They inspire planning the cornucopia of colors and flavors of plants to grow.

For equipment, start small, with recycled containers, pots, fiber grow bags, or an in-ground space. A soil test in your proposed garden space is recommended if you have never had one. You can build your own raised beds or opt for the convenience of pre-made ones if your budget allows. If you are on Facebook, try some of the buy-nothing sites. They frequently feature containers suitable for getting started. I landed several window boxes from a friend who was loath to throw hers into a landfill. Window boxes are perfect for herb and salad greens, but bear in mind that smaller containers dry out quickly and can be labor-intensive to keep watered. Long-lasting and easily stored fiber bags are another excellent choice. If you are using a container, you will need to purchase a quality potting soil and a few small tools. 

Most, but not all, seeds store for several years. Store seeds in a dry area with a combined temperature and humidity of less than 100. Seed exchanges are also a popular way to economically expand your crop choices.

Start with some easy, direct-seed vegetables. Peruse seed catalogs or seed companies online. Many stores have seed racks loaded with a wide variety of choices. On the back of each seed packet, you will find all the information you need to get started, including planting depth and light requirements. The days to maturity (DTM) and details on growing and harvesting your vegetables are also provided.  

Easy beginner crops include shallow-rooted vegetables, like lettuce and other greens. Lettuces come in a variety of types, shapes and colors. Try a mix of lettuces for a cut-and-come-again salad. Mustards, kale, wrinkled crinkled cress, and arugula harvested at baby size add a distinctive taste to any salad. Other possibilities include spinach, pak choi, cabbage, or Swiss chard.

In a container with a little more depth, you may want to try beets, radishes or carrots to add crunch to your salads. Onion sets are readily available now to plant deep for spring onions to use in salads or stir-fry.

Try self-pollinating vegetables like sugar snap, snow or shelling peas, as well as bush beans, which come in green, purple and yellow varieties.  There are many vegetables to choose from, whether you prefer to direct seed or start with seedlings such as heat-loving tomatoes and peppers.

If you have limited sunlight, there are many options for growing spring and fall-loving plants that do well in partial shade. My east-facing back porch gets morning sun and afternoon shade. I hang window boxes on the railing and grow a variety of salad and Asian greens. Then I use containers placed on the south-facing side of my porch to grow tomatoes, peppers, basil and cucumbers.

And as always, your county Penn State Extension Master Gardeners are available to help you with questions.  Send your questions and photos to our hotline, alleghenymg@psu.edu or call 412-482-3476.  This is a free service.

Barbara Kline is a Penn State Master Gardener. This volunteer program supports the outreach mission of Penn State Extension and provides research-based information on best practices in sustainable horticulture and environmental stewardship. For more information, contact the Penn State Extension of Allegheny County at alleghenymg@psu.edu or 412-482-3476.