There’s nothing quite like a vine-ripened tomato or an heirloom cucumber. When selecting veggies, look for varieties that perform well in your zone and offer special qualities such as improved disease resistance or better heat- or cold tolerance.

Ask your local county cooperative extension service for advice on when to start vegetable seeds and which vegetables grow best in your area. Use lawn edging ideas or repurpose a garden bed to demarcate the vegetable plot and boost productivity with companion planting.

No edible garden is complete without herbs. Plus, it’s so much cheaper to grow your own than to buy those packages at the supermarket. Plant mixed containers of your favorites. Perennials that will return next year include chives, oregano, sage, and thyme. Annual herbs, which you’ll need to replant every year, include basil, rosemary (though it’s perennial in warm climates), and cilantro.

SHOP HERBS

Source: thepioneerwoman.com