If you are looking out at a backyard that has only flowers or an empty space, then you might be missing out on a huge amount of opportunity that could be found right there. Backyard growing is on the rise, with more people making the choice to grow their food at home. You do not need to take up a lot of space to grow food in your backyard, and the rewards are fruitful and fun!
What Food Can You Grow in Your Backyard?
Are you considering your own backyard garden? Here’s how to know what foods you can grow in your own backyard garden.
Why Grow Food Yourself?
The choice to grow food at home is rewarding and doesn’t have to be time-consuming. A home garden is also one of the best ways to relax. Getting involved with your garden is a natural, proven way to boost your immune system. Gardening makes your body used to the microbes in the soil around your home, and literally builds your immunity as a result.
Moreover, growing food yourself gives you control over what you eat (and how it was grown). It can sometimes be the only way to get the guarantee of healthy, organic food. Backyard gardening can be a lot of fun!
Planning a Backyard Garden
The first step to creating the perfect backyard garden is planning. Draw a picture of the area you plan to put a garden. Clearly mark out the spots where you intend to plant and make sure that each section of your backyard garden has enough space and movement room around it. The good thing about backyard gardens is the fact that they are easy to set up no matter how much space you have.
Requirements for a Backyard Garden
A backyard garden does not require a lot to set up. It can help if you at least have most of the following in your gardening kit:
- Quality potting soil
- Decent length hose
- Watering can
- Spray bottles
- Dowel sticks
- Shade netting
- Twine
Remember to mark out what you’ve planted where. Seedlings can look almost identical as they are first emerging from the ground. Simple cut dowel sticks with a label will do!
Great Herbs for Backyard Planting
Food is flavor, and some of the best flavors can be obtained from herbs found in your own garden. Most herbs like to see a mixture of sun and shade through their growing cycle.
Plant sensitive herbs in the shadows of others. Also, plant fragrant herbs away from fresher vegetables for a barrier that repels bugs.
Great backyard garden herbs include:
- Basil, various types
- Mint, both peppermint and spearmint
- Thyme, a common variety
- Oregano, an herbal essential
- Lavender, fragrant and calm
Great Foods for Backyard Planting
Most vegetables that you would use in home cooking recipes are super easy to grow. Consider fast-growing vegetables for a backyard garden (especially in smaller spaces). Only plant trees if you happen to have some more space and time.
Great fruits and vegetables to grow in your backyard include:
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
- Lettuce
- Strawberries
- Potatoes
- Various Peppers
Backyard Garden Tips
A backyard garden can be rewarding and literally put food on the table.
Remember that crop rotation, or knowing when to plant what is still just as important on a smaller scale. Most vegetables should be planted at the turns of a season, preparing for spring and summer, although there are some exceptions.
Additional Reading: Vegetable Gardening 101
Arbor Hills Landscaping Company Omaha | Best Landscaping Company in Omaha, NE
Arbor Hills Trees & Landscaping Services can provide you with everything from detailed maintenance programs to unique plant production, and other services in between. That means we build water features, walls, patios, irrigation, walkways, outdoor kitchens, lighting, and anything else you can help us dream up. Our professionally trained staff can build the landscape of your dreams and keep you from breaking any Home Landscaping Rules.
Click on a heading bar below for more information:
Fire Pit Designs Landscaping Services
Imagine the ambiance created in your backyard landscape by a custom fire pit. In fact, nothing is more inviting on a cool spring night or for fall and winter gatherings of family and friends. A fire pit may be used to provide warmth during outdoor entertaining, but also as a heat source for outdoor cooking or simply roasting marshmallows. Our trained custom fire pit installers are experts in turning your vision into reality. More…
Outdoor Living Landscaping Services
Unlimited Outdoor Kitchen offers a professional outdoor kitchen, outdoor fireplace, and outdoor living room design, building, and installation services with FREE ESTIMATES. More…
Retaining Walls Landscaping Services
Enhance the beauty of your landscape with a retaining wall that is customized to coordinate with your home’s exterior. At Arbor Hills, our retaining wall designer will create a functional retaining wall that is aesthetically pleasing for your personal taste, and within your target budget. With the many materials available today, the retaining wall project you’ve been considering is just a phone call away! More…
Stamped and Colored Concrete
It is time to upgrade or replace some of the hardscape features surrounding your home? Stamped and colored concrete is a beautiful and affordable material. It enhances the color and texture featured on your home’s exterior. Stamped concrete in textures from modern to rustic is available to coordinate with your home’s existing design features. Colored concrete can be blended to match or enhance your home’s exterior color scheme. A designer from Arbor Hills will consider all these existing features at your site visit and when designing your project. More…
Patio Pavers Landscaping Services
Concrete pavers are a great way to improve your landscape and garden. In fact, they are super strong and lend themselves to many hardscaping projects. They rarely crack but if they do, each piece is easily replaceable. More…
Landscape Lighting Designs
Outdoor lighting can be nearly as important to the overall look and feel of your home as the landscaping itself. So you shouldn’t short-change yourself by skimping on quality lighting products. We are a full-service landscape and waterscape company that can solve all of your residential and commercial lighting needs anywhere in Omaha and the surrounding areas. More…
Water Feature Landscaping Designs
Imagine the sight and sound of bubbling water as you relax in your outdoor sanctuary. A water feature can give just the right ambiance to your outdoor retreat. Or, if you are looking for a water feature with traffic-slowing curb appeal, a designer from Arbor Hills will help you choose the water feature that best enhances your home. More…
Sod Installation Services
Whether you have just built your home, cleared agricultural land for your personal use or simply want to improve the look of your existing yard, having sod installed is a fast way to create the lush, green carpet of grass you want. It offers instant satisfaction rather than the weeks of waiting and anticipating whether or not your grass seed is going to grow. Plus, using sod offers a host of other benefits. More…
Mulch & Rock Landscaping Services
The concept, to design, to delivery and installation, we have more than 20 years of experience in the landscaping industry in Omaha and surrounding areas. Our services include delivery, full installation, and clean-up of mulch and rock around your beds, trees, and more. More…
Plants & Shrubs Landscaping
Plants and shrubs are the backbone of your landscape, therefore they should be the first things you plant. Proper selection will enhance a home’s appearance and increase property value while reflecting the homeowner’s style and personality. More…
Tree Nursery
Let our trained nursery professionals assist you in selecting the perfect tree or shrub to complete your landscape. We carry a selection that is unmatched in Omaha and the surrounding areas and are willing and eager to explain our favorites. Improved varieties are introduced each year and we always strive to carry the best and newest – varieties more resistant to disease, shade trees better able to withstand storm damage and ornamentals in unique colors, shapes, and sizes you have to see to believe. More…