CanningДЄ time-honored food preservation method, canning requires some know-how to do it safely. Then divide them up into individual serving sizes before transferring them to freezer bags. This is the easiest option, and it doesnвЂ™t require any special equipment.ДЇreeze diced vegetables and fruits in a single layer on a baking sheet. If you anticipate a harsh winter, there are plenty of ways to preserve your harvest to ensure homegrown vegetables through the winter and early spring. RELATED: 5 Tips for Summer Pest Control How Can I Preserve My Harvest? Talk to other gardeners nearby or contact your county extension for advice on tried-and-true crops for your area. These are a wealth of information for new and experienced gardeners. Most large state universities have active agricultural extensions. If your climate is prone to weather extremes, some less hardy vegetables may simply not be worth the trouble. Grow Vegetables Suited to Your AreaД«e mindful of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone MapВ when you select seeds and plants for your garden. Get in the habit of picking vegetables once per day or every couple of days. Gently harvesting produce early typically results in higher-yielding plants. While your Brussels sprout plants are maturing, for instance, make use of the ample space between them to grow a quick crop of radishes or salad greens. Intercropping, or planting crops of varying sizes and growth rates together, is a vegetable garden design technique often used by gardeners who are trying to maximize yield in a small space. Look for varieties that grow quickly or will overwinter and produce in the early spring (if your climate allows). If your second or third planting occurs toward the end of the season, opt for cool-weather crops such as leafy greens, broccoli or root vegetables. This is known as succession planting.Дepending on the length of your growing season, you may have to be strategic in choosing plants for a second (or even third) planting. Stagger plantings by two or three weeks to extend the harvest, and plant different varieties of the same crop that mature at different times. Plant Again and AgainДЄs soon as one crop is harvested and is no longer producing, pull it out of the garden and plant something else in its place. You canвЂ™t control the weather, but there are things you can do to maximize your gardenвЂ™s production throughout the year. Seasonal yield depends on several factors, including the quality of both the seeds and the soil, proper plant spacing, adequate water and the weather. RELATED: 7 Things to Consider Before Building a Fence How Do You Get the Most from Your Garden? Cucumbers вЂ“ 4 to 6 plants or 2 to 4 vines.

HereвЂ™s a list of popular vegetables and an estimate of how many plants to sow for a family of four. How Much to Plant of the Most Popular Veggies If you plan to preserve any of your harvest, youвЂ™ll want to add a few extra plants. One way to overcome cold weather challenges is to preserve some of your summer crop. If you live in a part of the country that experiences especially cold weather, you may not be able to grow anything for a decent part of the year. After all, turning gardening into a family affair often convinces veggie haters to try new foods. This is sound advice, even if your household includes some picky eaters. While you should definitely plant things you know your family already likes, donвЂ™t be afraid to branch out a little into some more exotic varieties, too. RELATED: Buying New Appliances? 7 Things to Consider First Branch Out a Little

If you know your kids love carrots, plant plenty of them.ДЇocusing on the things you know your family likes makes it far less likely that youвЂ™ll end up with wasted produce. This first tip is a little obvious, but worth including. That said, here are some things to consider as you plan out your garden. A single plant can produce a lot or a little, depending on the type.

How much to plant depends on the specific types of veggies you and your family like. If youвЂ™re planning to grow Brussels sprouts, asparagus, or large varieties of melons or squash, plan on a few extra square feet. If your family is larger (or smaller),В scale up or downВ as needed.ДЄlso, keep in mind that some crops take up more space than others. Generally speaking, 200 square feet of garden space per personВ will allow for a harvest that feeds everyone year-round.ДЇor an average family of four, plan for an 800 square-foot garden-a plot thatвЂ™s 20 feet by 40 feet in size should do the trick. And the unsatisfying answer is вЂ¦ it depends. Sign Up To Receive Our Email Newsletter Subscribe Now How Big Should Your Vegetable Garden Be?

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