Soil Preparation

• 1). Locate an area in your yard or garden with well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5 and exposure to eight to 10 hours of direct sunlight every day. Remove stones, weeds, plant debris and other trash from the site.
  
  
• 2). Loosen the soil to a depth of 8 inches and add 2 inches of compost, rotted manure and peat.
  
  
• 3). Add 25 lbs. of 10-10-10 fertilizer per 1,000 square feet. Mix the amendments well with the soil and rake to level the surface.
  
  

Planting Seed

• 1). Plant cool-season crops including cauliflower, lettuce, cabbage and onions immediately after preparing the garden plot. Create straight-row furrows by stretching cord between two stakes inserted in the ground at each end of a row. Use the edge of an angle iron to create a furrow along the line in which you can sow the seed. Ideally, plant each seed to a depth that equals three times its thickness.
  
  
• 2). Divide the planting site into smaller sections that measure 1 square foot each if you want to plant a variety of vegetables. Plant seeds of the same type of vegetable in each section.
  
  
• 3). Plant four to six vining vegetable seeds such as cucumbers and beans along a 6-inch-wide circle to form a hill. Space multiple hills 2 feet apart.
  
  

Planting Seedlings

• 1). Start warm-season vegetables indoors and transplant outside when the danger of frost has passed. Fill 3- to 4-inch-deep plastic trays with a mix composed of 1 part sand, 2 parts loam and 1 part organic matter until 1/4 inch from the edge.
  
  
• 2). Firm the soil before planting three to four seeds 1/2 inch deep and cover lightly with vermiculite. Mist the media frequently, place the tray in a clear bag and provide it bright, indirect light until germination. "Harden off" the seedlings to acclimate them by exposing them slowly to brighter light every day.
  
  
• 3). Transplant the seedlings outdoors when danger of frost has passed. Use a sharp knife to cut the soil between seedlings, so each plant gets a substantial root ball. Dig a hole for each plant as deep as the root ball but two times as wide. Lower the seedling into the hole, back fill to cover roots and tamp the soil with your hands.
  
  

Growing Vegetables

• 1). Irrigate the soil regularly, providing 1 to 2 inches of water every week. Use a drip irrigation system instead of a hose. Spread 2 inches of organic mulch around the plants.
  
  
• 2). Install a commercial trellis, cage or stake to support climbing vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes and beans. Secure the tendrils to the support with elastic wires.
  
  
• 3). Spray insect pests with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Prune diseased parts of the plant or apply a registered fungicide.