When planting your vegetable garden you will want to choose crops that are easy to grow, have a short season and are tolerant of local pests. The key to success is rich, healthy soil.

Know your zone; standard grocery store varieties may not thrive, and heirloom seeds will bring unique flavors to your table. Keep up on challenges, such as weeds and insects, by checking the garden frequently.

Martha Stewart’s tip for placing Bubble Wrap in the bottom half or so of containers when she’s planting her vegetables is one of those smack-me-in-the-forehead moments that make you say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” It makes sense to fill up a huge planter with something that won’t compact and isn’t expensive. 

It’s a good idea to know how much space you truly need to allow for the growth of the plants. While the Bubble Wrap will help fill up a large decorative pot inexpensively and keep it from being too heavy to move, it’s important to fill the planter with enough potting mix to surround the seedlings and provide room for expansion.

According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, most vegetables don’t grow deeper than 12 to 24 inches, so there’s no need to have your container or raised bed soil exceed that depth. Some herbs can have much more shallow roots; chives, for example, only need 6 inches.

Once you know what you want to plant in the container, add holes for drainage, cover them with a rock or a piece of landscape fabric so that excess water escapes but soil stays in, then add your wadded-up Bubble Wrap. When you reach the point where the deepest roots would be, start loading up with a quality potting soil or mix.

Source: housedigest.com