If you’ve decided this is the year to grow produce in your garden, good for you! The taste of fresh vegetables is fantastic, and you’ll be able to take pride in helping yourself to eat lots of healthy foods. However, if you’re new to gardening, you may need guidance to make your garden flourish. Here are some guidelines you can follow.

1. Begin With a Small Garden Area

If this is your first garden, start small. According to Better Homes & Gardens, a good size for a beginner’s garden is 6 x 6 feet. By practicing and succeeding with a small space for your garden, you may be able to move on to a bigger garden in the next season. Consider your first garden to be like a “test run.” With a small garden, you can find out how you like gardening and whether or not you’ve invested in the right tools.

2. Choose the Crops You Love

Gardening takes hard work and lots of vigilance, so choose crops you will enjoy eating. If you plan carefully, you can have a succession of crops to harvest from spring to fall. In the spring, you can plant salad greens and broccoli. Summertime crops will include peppers and tomatoes, and in the fall, you’ll be able to reap potatoes and kale. Check social media apps to see what other folks are growing and get unique tips to make your garden flourish!

3. Choose the Right Soil

It matters where you plant your crops. The ideal soil for vegetable planting will be dark, crumbly, and easy to dig. If your soil is too dry or gritty, it can be improved by adding organic matter, like compost. To ensure your soil is ideal, contact the local USDA cooperative extension office for a soil test.

4. Water Your Garden Sufficiently

According to Master Class, during the growing season, your crops need about an inch of water each week. To check your soil’s moisture level, place a finger two inches into the dirt. If it feels dry, your plants need water. A quality garden hose is a vital investment – and a suitable hose typically lasts five to 10 years.

5. Invest in an Arsenal of Garden Tools

There are tools that a savvy gardener shouldn’t be without. No matter which tools you use, you’ll need a pair of sturdy gloves to protect your hands. In addition, you’ll need a hand shovel and a long-handled shovel. A wheelbarrow to tote your supplies and a hoe to remove weeds will complete your basic collection. Consider posting your tools and garden on social media, as this can lead to PR opportunities in some cases!

6. Protect Your Plants from Invaders

When you work hard to maintain your growing garden, you’ll want to protect it from invading wildlife. A good fence will also help your plants withstand damage from windstorms. As a bonus, a well-constructed fence will increase your home’s property value. To be more precise, you can expect an over 60% return on your investment in installing a fence.

7. Ensure Your Plants Are Safe to Eat

According to Newswire, the chance of getting sick from eating fresh garden vegetables in the U.S. is rare. However, it’s not impossible, and you’ll want to be sure your produce is safe to eat, and won’t cause an infection. As a worst-case scenario, you should know serving food that leads to someone’s death could lead to a wrongful death lawsuit against you. Other causes of wrongful death suits would be making substandard machines, creating a faulty drug, or caring for a patient in a way that constitutes negligence or malpractice.

You’ll spend hours in the fresh air and sunshine as you plant your seeds and dream of delicious vegetable soup. A garden will give you fresh produce, healthy exercise, and you may have enough to share with your neighbors. By spending your money on the right tools and using good personal hygiene, you’ll have a garden you can enjoy and be proud of.