Successful vegetable gardening starts with providing plenty of light, ideally full sun. Most varieties require at least 6 hours a day. Poor growth results from too much shade. A regular water source is another essential, supplementing inadequate rainfall. Proper soil preparation develops a fertile, loose, crumbly soil providing essential nutrients and aeration for strong and healthy root development.
Good drainage prevents roots from becoming waterlogged.
The following table provides information for starting your own plants. Whereas vegetables need sun, some flowers require partial or complete shade to survive. Flowers exist for every type of garden. Annuals complete their life cycle in one year. Biennials develop their foliage the first year and flowers the second, completing their life cycle in two years.