How do I start a vegetable garden for beginners?

Pick a sunny spot, prepare good soil and start with a few easy crops.
Start small: a sunny spot, decent soil and a handful of easy crops are enough for a first vegetable garden. Most vegetables need at least six hours of direct sun a day.
Growing a few things well beats planting too much and losing track.
Choose the spot and size
Pick a sunny, sheltered place near a water source. A bed of about 1 by 2 metres is manageable for a beginner.
Prepare the soil
Remove weeds, loosen the soil and mix in compost. Raised beds or containers work if your soil is poor.
Start with easy crops
Lettuce, radishes, beans, courgettes (zucchini) and herbs are forgiving. Check on them often, water regularly and mulch to hold moisture.
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