Join Extension Master Gardener Faatimah Muhammad for this two-part, beginner-friendly series on how to grow your own vegetables, from planning to harvest. This course offers actionable steps to help you build a productive, resilient vegetable garden in any space.
In Part I, learn how to choose the right site, improve soil health, and plan your garden layout. This session covers how to source seeds and plants, select tools, and set yourself up for success with research-backed strategies tailored to local conditions. In Part II, learn how to care for your crops throughout the season, manage common challenges, and harvest at peak flavor and nutrition. This session includes tips on watering, pest management, and succession planting to keep your garden thriving.
Zoom session, recorded Feburary 27, 2026
Part I
Zoom session, recorded February 27, 2026
Chapter Breaks and Captions to Come
Part II Video to Come
Zoom session, recorded March 6 2026
Chapter Breaks and Captions to Come
Resources
Plan & Choose Crops
- UMD Vegetable Crop Profiles: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/vegetables-home-garden/
- Cornell Vegetable Varieties (Citizen Science): https://gardening.cals.cornell.edu/adult-programs/citizen-science/
Planting Strategies
- Companion Planting (VCE PDF): https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/spes/spes-620/SPES-620.pdf
Harvesting
- Harvesting Vegetables – Clemson Extension: https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/harvesting-vegetables/
Pollinators
- Pollinators & Wildlife – MGNV: https://mgnv.org/pollinators-wildlife/
Weeds & Diagnostics
- Virginia Tech Weed Identification: https://weedid.cals.vt.edu/
- UMD Weed Identification Photos: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/weed-identification-photos-maryland/
- VA Tech Plant Problem Image Gallery: https://apps.cals.vt.edu/ppig/
Pest Management
- Beating the Bugs – MGNV: https://mgnv.org/plants/veg-herbs/between-rows/beating-the-bugs/
- UMD Vegetable Insect IPM: https://extension.umd.edu/programs/agriculture-food-systems/program-areas/fruit-vegetable-production/maryland-vegetables/vegetable-insect-ipm
- VCE Pest Management Guide (ENTO-462-B): https://ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/456/456-018/ENTO-634.pdf
Climate & Local Help
- Find Your Local Extension Office: https://nifa.usda.gov/land-grant-colleges-and-universities-partner-website-directory?state=All&type=Extension
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/
- PlantMaps: https://www.plantmaps.com/
MGNV Learning Resources
- Between the Rows – Monthly Gardening Guide: https://mgnv.org/veg-herbs/between-rows/
- Vegetable Gardening Online Resources: https://mgnv.org/resources/veg_references/
- Master Gardener Virtual Classroom: https://mgnv.org/mg-virtual-classroom/
Photo Credits & Attribution
All photographs used in the 2026 Vegetable Gardening slide decks (Part 1 and Part 2) were taken by the presenter, other Northern Virginia Master Gardeners, or sourced from open-use/public-domain resources.
Photos are used for educational purposes in accordance with Extension and Master Gardener program guidelines.