What Does an Edible Garden Need?
Growing a successful edible garden takes planning, correct timing, and a little know-how. But once you have it down it is such a pleasure to eat homegrown produce fresh from the garden. Here's what you need to get started.
Plenty of sun
Choose a site with a minimum of six hours of full sun -- eight to ten hours is even better. Southern exposure is ideal. Most edible plants prefer full sun; however, root and leafy crops can tolerate light shade.
Climate that's a good fit for what you're growing
• Know your ->climate zone
• Assess your ->microclimate
• Be aware of frost dates
Most edibles prefer to be grown during frost-free periods, which vary within Marin’s many microclimates. For a rule of thumb, begin watching for frost around Thanksgiving and consider planting frost sensitive edibles after St. Patrick’s Day. (These dates are derived from 30 years of historical data from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration). Many cool season crops may be planted before the end of winter frost, including beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, chard and kale. Check seed packets for instructions.
Rich soil
Edible crops prefer fertile, loamy soil that drains well and holds water on hot days.
A layer of mulch
Use mulch to protect against moisture loss, suppress weeds, and keep plant roots cool in hot weather. Learn more.
Easy access to water
Be sure a nearby faucet and hose is easily accessible. Use a ->drip irrigation system if possible.
Ample air flow but not too windy
Choose a site that has air movement but not high winds.
Level topography
A level garden is the easiest to prepare, plant, irrigate, maintain and harvest. On slopes, consider constructing level terraces or raised beds so that water does not pool or run off. Many edibles can be grown successfully in containers.
Adequate drainage
Avoid low areas where water may pool or where ground water stands. Poorly drained soils may create anaerobic soil conditions with inadequate air (evidence: stinky soil). Look for moving surface water and correct if possible (evidence: erosion, exposed tree roots, channels in soil). Redirect drainage as necessary.
Easy access
A conveniently located edible garden encourages frequent visits for care and enjoyment.
A well thought out location
Mitigate any potential problems before you plant. Raised beds solve many problems.
• Identify limitations above ground: wires, structures, street lamps, trees and structures that cast shade, eaves, setbacks, and easements.
• Identify limitations below ground: utilities, plumbing, roots, bedrock, groundwater, etc.
Crops growing at the correct time
A planting calendar is a vegetable gardener's best friend.
Safe food growing and handling
Use best practices to ensure your crops are as safe as they are delicious.
> Visit our Edible Demonstration Garden at IVC Organic Farm & Garden in Novato!
January 2025: Natives in the Edible Garden
Native Plants Attract Pollinators and Invite Beneficial Insects
Native plants also invite beneficial insects that are natural enemies of vegetable garden pests. Beneficials such as hoverflies, lady beetles, and lacewings go where they find the herbivorous insects they like to eat. It doesn’t matter to them whether their prey is on an edible plant or a native. The natives keep the beneficial insects nearby, so they are there to control pests when the vegetable crops are planted.
Native Plants Improve Soil Health
Native plants support soil biodiversity by providing habitat for beneficial microorganisms like fungi and bacteria. Some can act as nitrogen-fixers to improve soil fertility. Natives with deep root systems can improve soil structure by creating channels through which water and nutrients can penetrate. When the roots and leaves of the native plants die back, they add organic matter to the soil reducing the need for soil amendments.
Native Plants are Low Maintenance
Natives don’t need fertilizing and require little watering once they are established. While some need deadheading and cutting back, it’s best to minimize the kind of tidying up that’s done in the edible garden. The native plants can offer a refuge for beneficial populations, providing them with undisturbed nesting and overwintering sites. Ideally the native plants attract enough beneficial insects and other natural enemies to maintain a healthy balance so that pests are kept in check.
Native Plants Add Beauty and Interest
Native plants bring unique beauty to the garden. The natives planted in the Edible Demo Garden were initially chosen to provide blooms throughout the year. Some flower early and bring color into the winter garden and others extend their blooming period into late fall. They add contrast to the flowering of the vegetables and fruit trees. Ceanothus ‘Concha’ now masks the compost bins with its copious cobalt blue flowers in early spring. Coast Aster, Aster chilensis, provides bright, daisy-like blossoms throughout summer and fall. Bees and hummingbirds enjoy the showy red tubular blooms of California fuchsia, Epilobium, into late fall. The goal to bring native plants into the Edible Demo Garden to provide year-round beauty has been achieved.
For more information on growing native plants, click here.
