Having a vegetable garden in the backyard can seem very laborious and complicated, especially for those who do not have much space at home. However, it is increasingly common to grow herbs, plants and vegetables in small places and, contrary to popular belief, it is very simple to make your own garden. We have separated some tips and suggestions to help people who want to plant at home and have no idea how to start.

In this article you will know:


  1. How to start planting?
  2. How to germinate the seeds?
  3. How to transplant the seedlings?
  4. What do I need to put in the planter or vase?
  5. How to make a vegetable garden in the yard?

How to start planting?

The basis for good planting is land . Therefore, the ideal is to always use vegetal soil, earthworm humus (rich in organic matter) or fertilizer preferably and construction sand to make the soil lighter. These basic ingredients should be mixed using the ratio of 1 measure of vegetable soil to 1 measure of humus and ½ of sand. The result of this mixture will be a soil rich in nutrients, loose and light.

How to germinate the seeds?

To germinate the seeds, you will need small pots (can be yogurt pots or coffee cups), with holes in the bottom so as not to accumulate water. You can also use seedlings that are sold in plant and supermarket stores or empty egg cartons.


choose the seeds you want to plant. If you don't want to buy the ready-made bags with the seeds, you can start with what you have at home. A suggestion is to use pepper or tomato, letting the seeds dry in the sun before planting.

Humidify the earth of the pot with a sprinkler , make small holes (approximately 4) and place a seed in each hole, without sinking too much. Cover with a little prepared soil and moisten with a spray bottle.

To speed up the germination process, you can place the seeds on moist paper or cotton over a flat, shallow container (margarine lid, for example). When the seeds start to germinate on the paper, place them in the ground with the root down, so that germination will be faster than normal.

In the case of parsley and coriander seeds, it is advisable to soak them overnight in water, before planting, as they take longer to germinate.

How to transplant the seedlings?

When the seeds germinate and grow a little, observe the ones that are healthier and more beautiful, as these are the best seedlings to transplant . Those that do not develop much, should be discarded.

The seedlings developed should be removed with a spoon and placed in a larger pot, so that they can continue to grow strong and healthy. In the case of parsley and coriander, which are born together, there is no need to separate the good from the bad.


If the pot is small, place a seedling for each pot. If it is a gardener or a larger space, add more seedlings or mix varieties of seedlings such as: basil, rosemary, parsley, cilantro, etc. Except the mint, as it should always be alone, even if it is planted in a planter.

After transplanting the seedlings, complete with soil enriched with humus or compost preferably and do not forget to water well.

What do I need to put in the planter or vase?

It is best to fill the bottom of the pot or planter with expansive clay or broken tiles so that the earth does not escape through the holes where the water is drained. However, this step is optional, and the earth can be placed directly on the bottom.

Like expansive clay, the bidim blanket also helps to prevent the soil from seeping through the holes in the vase. Both clay and blanket can be found in plant stores, but are optional items.

In addition to the planter or vase, many people use buckets, bowls, pet bottles, PVC pipes and various other materials that would normally go to waste, but that serve perfectly as a container to make a beautiful garden or orchard.

In the Horta e Pomar potted channel , you can find several tips like these to develop your garden, as well as curiosities about the types of plants and seeds. In the video, Débora gives several suggestions for pots, planters and even how to use a nylon shoe rack to make a vertical garden.


How to make a vegetable garden in the yard?

If you have a space with land in your backyard , it is even easier to have a vegetable garden at home. The important thing is that the place is clean, without garbage or construction material, as well as good quality soil, enriched with fertilizer (earthworm humus, manure or bone meal).

The step by step is even simpler, as the seeds can be germinated directly on the spot or transplanted, as we taught earlier. It is enough to "fluff" the earth with a hoe, delimit the spaces, making trenches not very deep and with a span of distance between them. Then, just put the seeds into the ditches, cover with the enriched soil and water a lot.

In Patrícia's video, she gives an example of how she made a vegetable garden in her backyard , after cleaning up the dirt that had grown after the construction period. Follow the step by step.

Whether in the backyard of a house or in a small place like an apartment, having your own garden or orchard and growing your own food is a great way to get rid of pesticides and produce organic and healthy food. How about cultivating that idea?