Want fresh, healthy vegetables at your fingertips?

Vegetable gardening is the way to grow!

Vegetable gardening is a hobby for some and -- during these times -- a necessity for others. Thing is, growing your own vegetables not only saves money on grocery bills, but it also provides healthy and nutritious foods. It's also a fantastic way to get your family involved in harvesting and cooking. And to learn where their food comes from.

Whether you're just starting out with an interest in vegetable gardening or you've been doing it for years, there are some vegetable gardening tips that can help make your experience more successful.

For one thing, vegetable gardens can be planted most anywhere -- in containers, raised beds, window boxes -- but they do require a fair amount of time and effort.

Choosing the right vegetables for your garden can make all the difference between an average harvest and one that will bring joy to your family's table. So start by making a list of what folks like to eat.

Vegetable gardening for beginners? YES! Growing your own vegetables might seem a little overwhelming at first, but once you've grown a few things and gain some experience, you'll get into a rhythm. Before you know it, vegetable gardening becomes so simple (like tying your shoes) that you'll wonder why you haven't been doing it all along!

Here are five vegetable gardening ideas:

1. Make sure your soil is healthy and fertile. Get it tested by a professional lab so you have a starting point. Remember, compost is the best thing you can do for your garden
2. Choose three to six easy-to-grow veggies. Don't hesitate to experiment. Decide whether you'll be starting your own seedlings.
3. Pick a sunny spot in your yard out of the wind and where trees or buildings don't cast unwanted shadows.
4. Build raised beds, planter boxes, cold frames, greenhouses--whatever works for your spot.
5. Observe and learn how to keep your plants healthy.
   
   There you go... a few points to get you started on your vegetable gardening adventure!