The ideal location for a vegetable garden is a level, well-drained site, with full sunlight all day. There should be good air circulation and the soil should be loose, dark-colored and fertile.
Few gardeners are lucky enough to have such a perfect spot.
Such areas are slow to warm up in the spring. A gradually sloping hillside with a southern exposure is preferable to a low, level area where there is no air drainage. A southern exposure receives the maximum amount of sunlight through the growing season. This means planting vegetables away from buildings, trees and other objects that would shade the garden area. If part of the garden must be in the shade, grow lettuce or cool cole crops such as cabbage, broccoli and kale.