It only makes sense to turn a little patch of your property into a personal supply of organic food.

Today, approximately 30 percent of residential homes in North America cultivate a vegetable patch.

If the thought of growing a lovely vegetable garden is appealing, but you're overwhelmed and intimidated by the thought of starting your own garden, set your fears aside.

Growing vegetables is easier than one would think. Plus, you don't need an expansive plot of land to grow a garden. Many popular varieties can be grown right in containers or in compact spaces.

Select a location

If you want to grow vegetables, your garden needs to be in a sunny spot. Trees or buildings cast shadows so take them into account when choosing the garden plot.

Decide on your garden's size and shape.
If this is your first foray into gardening, a pre-packaged gardening kit would be easy and helpful.

Perhaps you're wondering what vegetables are the easiest to grow if this is your first attempt at a food-based garden. These are several to try:

Tomatoes

While commonly considered vegetables, tomatoes are actually fruits. But tomatoes can be an integral part of a vegetable garden. Tomatoes are high in lycopene and other antioxidants. Tomatoes can be planted after the soil has thawed and there is no other chance for frost. They'll require plenty of sunlight. Fruit will be available to harvest toward the latter part of the summer.

Zucchini.

An Italian squash variety that appears similar to a cucumber. Zucchini can be green or yellow in coloring. This vegetable is full of potassium, folate and manganese, making it a great addition to your menu. Zucchini take about a month to mature and ready to harvest. They grow on vines and produce large flowers before bearing fruit.

Beets

Root vegetables like beets and radishes work well in the garden as well. The bright purple color of beets indicates they are full of many essential vitamins and minerals.
Carrots. Another subterranean-growing veggie, carrots require moist soil as they germinate, but as the plants mature they need less water.

Peas

Growing inside the pods of legumes, these plants like moist soil that drains well. Water frequently, but make sure the soil doesn't become flooded if you want peas to flourish.

Peppers

These come in so many varieties it's easy to find one that appeals to your taste in cooking. Generally, peppers thrive in soil high in magnesium. Using compost and Epsom salt in the soil can help achieve the environment peppers desire.

Lettuce

Another staple, lettuce is the basis for many salad dishes. Seeds should be planted between eight and 16 inches apart. Lettuce should be watered in the morning, instead of at night, to prevent disease from developing.

By MS