Planning to raise some vegetables this growing season on the property you bought from Klamath Falls homes for sale? Great idea. Our Oregon climate lends itself to good growing, so you can plan to have delicious vegetables throughout the summer and fall.

But what type of vegetable garden are you planning? Growing vegetables in the ground is the traditional way, but there are some variations depending on the layout and size of your property. Let's look at the main ways you can grow vegetables. 

Our real estate agents can help you choose the best plan for you.

1.  In-Ground Starter Garden
   If you're just starting out with gardening, it's best to start small. How small? Definitely not more than 12 X 24 feet, says the Farmer's Almanac, an old and respected guide for gardeners. You may be better off with 4 X 4 feet, especially if you're experimenting and figuring out what you want to grow.
   
   Find a location near a water source where the sun shines six to eight hours a day. Mark off a plot with twine or spray paint the ground. Double dig with a garden fork to remove grass and rocks. Add good garden soil and compost. Follow instructions for planting these suggested vegetables: yellow squash or zucchini (leave plenty of room, as these like to sprawl), assorted peppers, tomato plants, bush beans, cucumbers on a cage, eggplants, and some herbs, including basil, rosemary, oregano, and thyme. Mulch and keep fertilized and watered as needed.
   
   
2. Container Garden
   This is a wonderful way to garden if you don't have room to put down a garden plot. Instead of marking out a garden and improving soil, you look for containers; just about anything will do. However, think of the plants you want to grow, how deep their roots need to be, and how much they will sprawl.
   
   But the other issue is waiting until the soil is warm enough for the roots—about 50 degrees for cool-season vegetables and 60 degrees for warm-season plants—when all danger of freezing is past. You won't want to move heavy containers inside if it freezes.
   
   Containers should be at least 8 inches deep and can be terra cotta, plastic, or metal (a big feeding trough will do nicely). Avoid containers that might leach chemicals they have held. Just fill the container with good-quality dirt and compost. Then plant. For beans, you'll need a pole for them to climb on; tomatoes may need to be staked. Watch how the sun shines—or doesn't—on your garden. Most plants need six to eight hours of sun, but ensure they don't get too hot or dry out. They may need two or three waterings a day in hot weather. 
   
   
3. Raised Bed
   A raised bed starts like the in-ground garden described above, but you will add soil (along with soil amendments) to raise it about a foot from the surrounding area. Divide the space into planting beds according to what you want to grow—research plants and their growing requirements from online information at the garden center or from books. Surround the planted area with a frame, either homemade or from the garden center. Leave a walkway in the garden to get inside the plot to weed, water, and work with the plants. Mulch the plants to retain moisture.

Looking to buy or sell a home in the Klamath Falls area? We can help. Contact us today.