A little thought in site selection can go a long way toward having a successful vegetable garden. Even if you have only a small area available in your backyard, you can still have a very productive vegetable garden if you plan it well.

Vegetables must be planted in an area of your garden that meets their requirements for sunlight air circulation moisture nutrients and drainage.

There is no better way to start than by selecting a sunny spot for your vegetable garden. Most vegetables prefer full sunlight to grow well.

Choose a site on the north-eastern side of your house, where it will get early morning sun when warmth is needed for the plants to grow.  It will also give your vegetables some protection in winter against cold winds from the south and the hot afternoon sun in summer.

In urban areas the choice of a vegetable site with full sunlight is often limited by the size of the yard, the position of the house, trees and fences. Then you will have to compromise and choose the best area available, where north will be the best, but east and west of your house will also do.  Do not plant south of your house as vegetables do not grow successfully in too much shade.

If you don't have access to a site with full sunlight, choose a place that will have at least six hours of sunlight each day.  Select a site that does not have many shade structures, like buildings, trees, walls and fences. Remember: There are no shade-loving vegetables! Back to Growing Vegetables