Introduction to Vegetable Gardening I & II

Introduction to Vegetable Gardening I & II – New in 2023!

Join Extension Master Gardener Interns Faatimah Muhammad and Krystyn Moon for a beginners’ class on the many aspects of vegetable gardening. This is a two-part course on learning how to grow a vegetable garden.

In Part 1, you’ll learn how to select a site, improve your soil, plan your garden, and obtain seeds, plants, and equipment.
In Part 2, you’ll learn tips on how to care for your crops as they grow and how to harvest your fruits and vegetables.

Introduction to Vegetable Gardening Part I:

Zoom session, February 10, 2023

Video of Presentation

Chapter Breaks

0:00:00: Introduction
0:02:21: Benefits of Vegetable Gardening & Overview

Step 1 – Location

0:04:05: Location

Step 2 – Physical Requirements

0:07:42: Physical Requirements: Soil
0:17:35: Physical Requirements: Sunlight, Climate & Temperature
0:20:35: Physical Requirements: Air

Step 2 – Physical Requirements – Continued

0:21:19: Physical Requirements: Water
0:22:56: Physical Requirements: Soil Preparation
0:25:31: Q & A

Step 3 – Plan Your Garden Layout

0:33:10: Vegetable Selection
0:38:26: Plant Timing
0:42:48: Garden Layouts
0:48:52: Increasing yields
0:55:51: Q & A

Step 4 – Obtain Seeds, Plants, Equipment & Supplies

1:02:38: Obtaining Vegetable Plants
1:06:13: Garden Equipment
1:07:20: Safety Tips
1:09:27: Info about Master Gardener Programs
1:11:56: Q & A

Introduction to Vegetable Gardening Part II:

Zoom session, February 17, 2023

Video of Presentation

Chapter Breaks

0:00:00 Introductions & Review of Steps 1 – 4 (from Part One)

Step 5: Planting Your Garden

0:02:13: Step 5: Planting Your Garden
0:14:54: Q & A

Step 6: Control Weeds, Pests & Diseases

0:17:16: Step 6: Controlling Weeds
0:23:43: Step 6: Controlling Garden Pests
0:28:29: Step 6: Common Garden Visitors
0:32:20: Step 6: Controlling Diseases
0:38:09: Q & A

Step 7: Harvest

0:42:10 Step 7: Harvest
0:47:54 Recap of Parts One & Two (Steps 1-7)
1:00:12 Q & A

Additional Resources

Introduction to Vegetable Gardening Handout
Recommended Spacing for Vegetable Gardening
Arlington/Alexandria Recommended Vegetable Planting Dates
Soil Tests
Leave the Leaves and Other Beneficial Practices – Updated in 2022! MGNV Recorded Class
Composting and No Till Gardening: Create a Garden That Thrives MGNV Recorded Class
Insect Pest Management for the Vegetable Garden MGNV Recorded Class
Extension Master Gardener Help Desk
Test Seed Viability – University of Illinois Urbana
The Shed: Garden Tool Lending Library. Arlington Public Library.