If you were thinking about starting a garden you have most likely already chosen the site for your garden. Before you start preparing the soil you are highly recommended to make sure the garden site gets at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight. The required amount of sunlight greatly varies from plant to plant but the vast majority of plants grow better in the sunny areas. Once you make sure your garden site receives enough direct sunlight you can start preparing the soil. All plants including the ones you plan to grow depend from nutrients they obtain through their roots from the soil which means the soil must be adequately fertilized before planting any plants.

You can start planting your favorite vegetables and fruits after creating optimal conditions for their growth. Besides providing your plants adequate amount of sunlight and nutrient rich soil with fertilization you also need to learn about plant care as well as about pest control for each plant separately. You are also highly recommended to inform yourself whether the vegetables and fruits you intend to grow are suitable for your region.

The majority of people grow their own vegetables and fruits to reduce the expenses for food but the number of those who do not grow their own food for financial reasons is rapidly rising. Plants were grown for thousands of years without the use of pesticides, artificial fertilizers and other chemical agents which means you do not need any of the mentioned products to harvest delicious and healthy vegetables and fruits.

You might face certain difficulties with pest control at the beginning but once you figure out which natural pesticides work the best for particular pests and plant diseases you will be able to produce as much as if gardening in conventional way but harvesting truly healthy vegetables and fruits. There are many natural agents mostly plant sprays such as the stinging nettle spray which are equally if not even more effective than the chemical ones but they do not harm your health nor the environment. Besides with natural pesticides, organic gardeners also successful control pests with companion planting.

Which vegetables and fruits can you grow during the winter greatly depends on the climate of your specific area, while some plants have greater difficulties with insufficient daylight than with low temperatures. Some vegetables such as carrot, radish, some breeds of broccoli and cabbage, and some other plants grow well even in low temperatures although leafy crops commonly need to be protected from frost either with cloches or to be covered with agricultural cloth.

Root-crops are less sensitive to frost but you might face great difficulties with picking for example carrot or parsnip from frozen soil. If living in an area with continental climate you should pick some root-crops before the first frost to make a supply for a week or two and to take advantage of the days above 32 °F (0 °C) during the winter for harvesting.

A winter garden in which you can control both temperature and light is the easiest and the most convenient way to grow vegetables and fruits during the winter, while some plants especially herbs and spices such as parsley can be easily grown in a pot in your apartment.