Planning A Productive Vegetable Garden (Masterclass for Beginners)

[@HuwRichards]

Want to see this method in action over a whole year with huge results? Get The Self-Sufficiency Garden: geni.us/SelfSufficiencyGarden

[@AmyWhalen-g7v]

Pro tip game changer: I now do my hand drawn drafts on graph paper, the kind where the centimeter lines are thicker and there are thinner 1mm and 5mm lines. I do square foot gardening, so this way I am able to note each square or section with the plants I want to add plus write a number or dots to indicate the number of plants per square foot. It's easy to count the number of plants I will need. Works great! From NB, Canada.

[@cathyc7069]

I like that Huw points out that garden plans will change over the years. Gardening has taught me to give my past self grace, and that it’s good to learn and adapt as you grow wiser. As a perfectionist with newly formed anxiety, I tend to get down on myself when I don’t nail it the first time, especially when I’ve done my research.

[@ralfnuggs165]

Aye men

[@saal0]

Same here. Gardening has made mistakes also feel better because I get excited for doing it better next year

[@sproutingemily]

Thank you for the video. A masterclass on succession planting also sounds like a wonderful idea 😊

[@HuwRichards]

I've made a note!

[@greensphere]

Love the ghostly gate opening at 8:40! 👻 Great masterclass! Thanks Huw & Sam.

[@tuppybrill4915]

A useful reason for keeping that spare space is experimentation such as I have found the root end of an onion will some of the time sprout when planted. No idea yet what the end result will be but it is proving an interesting experiment.

[@thecurrentmoment]

I planted the onions that were sprouting in my cupboard and I got a great result! Mostly 3 bulbs for each one.

[@TheFarmyardGarden]

Oh I love this! Want to make a plan of my beds and then scan it and print out, so I can do a month by month plan for the year to help me get things organised. One thing your plan just made me realise is how 12 beds doesn’t seem a lot when you start making these plans.. so much missing that I want to add in too. I’ve just made a 320sq m farmyard allotment and am yet to put the beds in. Here’s hoping for an excellent growing season for us all in 2024

[@ohio_gardener]

Remember, no garden is ever as good as the one I'm going to have next year! 😀

[@dawnpettiglio6930]

If this is your first garden 12 is a lot - maybe too much.

[@TheFarmyardGarden]

@@dawnpettiglio6930 I have 8 beds in the actual garden but they’re going back to flower beds next year and ones on the lawn are being removed when empty, as I now have a new polytunnel, fruit cage and blank canvas area to put beds in to and walkways.

[@dawnpettiglio6930]

That sounds heavenly! ❤

[@TheFarmyardGarden]

@@dawnpettiglio6930 I’m so excited for next year. It’s a perfect little farmyard allotment area to escape to ❤️

[@christinaw2736]

As always Huw, love the video!! I was just trying to figure out how to make a rough plan for next year :D Also, it made me laugh quite a bit, but in the US "forgetting a rubber" means something very different hahaha!

[@tesshiva]

Thanks so much for this tutorial - it’s February and I am itchy to get started!!

[@sheilal3172]

We've just been in our SW Missouri USA 2.48 acres for two years. Fruit trees have not flourished, so we're going for soft fruits and berries. Made four raised beds last year and will do four more soon. My hubby wants to work on CURB APEAL! That's okay, but I want food! Huw, you have 0been one of the best gardening mentors I know of and I watch you voraciously.

[@BBHubbs]

Excellent insights for my inexperienced thinking patterns, where gardening is concerned. Thank you, so very much, for all your time, wisdoms and sharing. We are better because of it ❤️

[@HuwRichards]

I really appreciate that - thank you!

[@gardentours]

Succesion planting is something that I have to consider more. At least this year I grow something in winter as well. I'm still so busy to build up soil and create garden beds. But next season I'm definitely making a plan for the garden 😉 and put down the goals 😅 In my head they are ready 😂 I just have to put them down on paper. Thank you very much for this reminder 👍

[@samdennis96]

If this is an example of what's to come on this channel, I can't wait for more! Excellent! I can't wait to sit in my garden and start sketching out for next year!

[@Czecore]

Damn... This is just what I needed, Huw. Didn't even know it. Started my first season this year and the insights and the simplicity which you keep true to are an inspiration. I can see myself becoming much better next year and you are one of the biggest reasons why. Thank you very much!

[@HuwRichards]

I'm so grateful - thank you!! And best of luck;

[@user-dv1nr9bd3z]

Dear Huw,I wanted you to know how much you ve inspired me and made planning really clear.As I ve been and continue to be in a sort of lockdown since two years and some months,due to health issues,I ve been daydreaming my garden as a productive and joyful,calming little oasis..I finally have one and I'll be bying my first seeds soon and start.This vision has helped me keeping sane and developping my goal.Gardeners like yourself are incredibly inspiring and we re lucky to have access to your sharing! I really enjoy your humility,passion and humor,please keep the great work! I always marvel to the magic of seed to flower to fruit natural process❤Nature is an artist.Best wishes from the South of France! Athena

[@dravonwalker2352]

Thank you so much for addressing the aesthetics. My husband is hugely focused on aesthetics and I generally don’t even consider it. Since we share the yard, I’m trying to figure out how to grow what need and make it pretty. Thanks again!

[@lizmd6615]

Thanks Huw. I have a small patch of 6 keyhole beds in Australian dry land. Fortunately I love planning ☺️ and I’m translating the knowledge I picked up from you and other gardeners in the northern hemisphere where everything looks so lush and colourful! Thankyou for all your work. 😊

[@AmyWhalen-g7v]

Thanks for sharing your thought process and creativity. Love the tip about leaving blank space in case you forget something you meant to plant! I do this all the time! 🤦‍♀️😂 Oh my! Having a small growing space, I plan and cram pack everything and go... Woups! Where am I gonna plant this crop?!

[@bryonygrealish6663]

Thanks for going through this. It's always helpful to see your process. The squirrels have been horrible. They are attacking my garlic all winter 😢

[@joannabare6083]

This is great, thank you. I will admit that I kept yelling "what about the tomatoes and eggplant???" but that is likely just your preferences or maybe your climate. (I didn't expect to see okra. :) ). I look forward to seeing more of your videos.

[@Zoeybeau_1]

Thanks Huw, I'm redesigning the garden and moving beds atm, the first growing season I grew to see if I could, and I can see the garden helping to become self sufficient. I love this its helping to plan the future of my garden. I've 4 raised beds, and I am cutting one in half and making two boxes along the south wall, to open up some space but keeping the same amount of growing room.

[@JaneDoe-ft8sz]

Keep in mind for future videos not everyone has a full sun garden area. Shade hits my garden from the west around 1:30pm. It really hurt my brain researching plants for sunlight needs my first year.

[@joannc147]

Ah, you are not alone in the “too much shade” department! I will be growing all my veg in the front of my ppty to include 5 Vego raised beds and 15 grow bags. The sun is blistering hot here in central North Carolina and I appreciate my shade. FYI, we have a local well-known “tomato guy” that grows dozens of varieties - all in individual pots on his driveway!

[@JaneDoe-ft8sz]

@@joannc147 we had to put our garden in the front yard. We have so many old dying maple trees and we only had to cut down one tree to get enough sun in the front of the house. It does give that shade in the afternoon for our Missouri summers.

[@jenniferkessener1111]

This is so helpful, and asthetically pleasing to lay it out the way you did. Hoping to do better at succession planting next year, so I hope you follow up with that.

[@cathyc7069]

Agree on the succession planting! I hope to improve on that with sunflowers and greens.

[@Strutt111]

Thank you lads. Really appreciate everything you do to help people get growing 👍🏻

[@FaustinaAdams-im1hy]

I always get my solutions from your videos. Thanks so much for making gardening easier for me

[@janenewley1014]

I always plan allottment and garden in autumn for following year…and have my records for the last 20 years…but great to watch this …always good to get some new ideas and suggestions…thank you😀😀😀Jinxy

[@lilakwapisz7821]

I would like to see this plans. It's interesting how they changed every year 😃

[@offgridnorthern]

I always start with a plan but forget to leave space for the extra plants or free plants or self-seeded gifts!

[@josee.cisnerosjr.7706]

Thanks for the promo! Great video on planning. I like the old school way of using paper and pencil too. Best way, in my opinion.

[@NikkiBigger]

Looks so great! Thanks so much for the advice, planning ours now :)

[@maisycakes1125]

This was brilliant - so generously helpful. The most straightforward help with garden planning for a beginner like me....who is making herself a small 4 bed urban pot aged garden next spring 😊....I’ve been checking out Spicy Moustache for help too. You, him and Charles Dowding are my companions in this....I cannot wait to start. Thankyou hugely Huw.

[@NJGardenTeacher]

I’m absolutely using this method to design my garden this year!

[@phirst55]

Great idea and explanation,, loads of other staples you could have added, like Turnip, Swede, Cauliflower, Broccoli etc. the brassica require a lot more space than most other crops.

[@HuwRichards]

Not staples for me!:)

[@Mulljackson]

Forgot your rubber? Thats one of those funny British to American English translations hahah

[@JaysWife]

😂

[@HuwRichards]

Woops haha!

[@Samm876]

We say rubber, too, in Jamaica 🇯🇲 😊

[@MakeItSo_ST]

I’m from the US as well. The first person I heard refer to an eraser as a rubber… was an Australian nun who said she needed to get a whole box of them for the weekend (when she was leading a workshop). It took everything in me not to laugh my head off. 😂

[@buzzyhardwood2949]

Ah, our beautiful, insane English language. So many great people separated by a common language!

[@deepwaters2334]

Put Pumpkins and corn with your runner beans. Then you have "three sisters" gardening like the Native Americans used. Corn would also provide shade.

[@celiaclarke7103]

Thank you for taking the time to do this video. Sooo helpful. (I’m half hoping the secret garden is a version of an allotment plot. I garden in the US equivalent, a community garden plot) ☺️

[@HuwRichards]

Oooh interesting hope!

[@sproutingemily]

I'm hoping for that, too!

[@SwervinErvins]

Me too, though my American community garden plot is only 150sqft. No raised beds. I’m perplexed how I can get the most bang for the buck. 3 sisters?

[@Semiboes]

So motivating! It was hard to watch the whole video as I just wanted to start to plan the next season. 😂❤

[@CazMet-ss3ek]

This is brilliant do you have a similar beginners masterclass for growing in a polytunnel? I get my first one in mid October it’s not new but new to me. Thanks Huw.

[@HuwRichards]

Great suggestion thank you!

[@CazMet-ss3ek]

@@HuwRichards where is your garden? Is it open to visitors! If so is it anywhere near Hereford / welsh border, I’d love to see if for real so to speak.

[@HuwRichards]

@@CazMet-ss3ek Near Aberystwyth, email [e-mail] and I can happily sort out getting you over to visit:)

[@CazMet-ss3ek]

@@HuwRichards I will that would be fantastic, thank you

[@carolinethomson1297]

Hew, your guidance for planning out raised beds was invaluable. First year for me growing own fruit/veg!

[@TheDesertRat75]

I have a little group or containers I’ve been trying to grow out of. I’m super excited to grow my garden in fall since where I live it’s mostly 100°F for the year. Planning really helps and this video is super helpful!

[@thithi8221]

Perfect class!! Thank you Huw!!!

[@MichelleHeckford]

Great video! I just love the way you make it relaxed and easy. Will start my plan straight away.😊

[@juliehorney995]

Love this. How about tomatoes and peppers?

[@joannc147]

Fab-u-lous! ❤ I get it now….what a wonderful system and clearly explained. 👍🏻 Everything just shifted for me. Thank you! (Just got one of your books with your new one now on pre-order)

[@Samm876]

I so need this as we're moving into our new homestead soon and im so overwhelmed with how to plan the garden 😩. More space than I know what to do with.

[@linzertorte4003]

“I forgot my rubber.” Sir, this is a gardening channel. 😂

[@BiggyD1234]

I really hope you will make next stage in your planning of the garden. I did the above 2 years ago, with limited success, this year better - next year will be great - BUT I always seem to be stuggling to get the right spacing, or I get over confident... is it just me or do you have a tip? or someone else have a tip :) Looking forward to October planning!!!

[@ohio_gardener]

That's my plan, and I'm sticking to it! Well, mostly at least.... 😀

[@sarahbee27]

Such a great way to plan it, going to use this technique for my new allotment. Posh pens you have, my daughter has those, they cost me a fortune 😅

[@lilspittin313]

Artistry for the real beauty, gardening with this method is the best

[@tristyquesadilla]

Some nice ideas. I'm a novice gardener, only year 1 so I'm taking it slow, don't want to bite off not than I can chew... And water and weed and fertilize and ... always look forward to your videos 😊

[@cindybroadus3277]

You’re quite artistic as well as horticultural

[@HuwRichards]

Thank you Cindy:)

[@christinawall1000]

Great info and not just for beginners. Skill share sounds worth checking into.

[@brightantwerp]

Thank you so much. just bougth a piece of land where I want to garden as well. 💜 These are great tips to start.

[@SuttonART]

I love tidying up the rough draft.

[@amandar7719]

😳 😂

[@edmondkent4493]

That was brilliant, thank you!

[@marking-time-gardens]

Great video! Thank you!🌻🐛Blessings from Ohio🌼

[@JaxSwim1]

This was so helpful, thank you. I’m just starting to level off the ground and putting in my raised beds in October. What can I grow in Winter or shall I wait until Spring?

[@virtah123]

GREAT VIDEO! I followed along and planned my allotment with you, so helpful!

[@freedombug11]

You're such a good artist! Did you draw the vegetables on your book covers? I always assumed you hired an artist for that, but now I think you are the professional artist! P.S. I love this video

[@HuwRichards]

Ahh haha thank you! Sam did the illustrations for the US edition of the Vegetable Growers Handbook, the rest were comissioned artists by my publisher.

[@freedombug11]

@@HuwRichards Oh I see! You could have tricked me into thinking you did it, I would have believed you!

[@emilyrosewright507]

I just moved from Vermont to New Mexico, any advice for resources for info about my new climate? I want to get into sustainable gardening here

[@storbert1328]

Thanks so much for putting it so simply. Two questions: 1) for "succession" beds such as you did for the peas, carrots & beetroot, do you stagger the sewing/planting out of those, or are they planted concurrently? and 2) for the spaces you've left unplanned, do you leave them unplanted but covered with mulch or compost or cardboard, or planted with a green-mulch or cover crop?

[@judifarrington9461]

As always, a great video! Thank you!

[@sandraconner6968]

Good planning is essential, but I'm always changing my mind!

[@carmenfringer4740]

Wonder what type of courgette you plant..lol small and low growing isn't a thing in my area unless I take them vertical. Mine grew to trailing 8 feet long and 3 foot plus wide. Abundance indeed.

[@steveryan8639]

Can't wait for the secret garden!

[@HuwRichards]

So close to unveiling now!

[@bonniecarlstrom6014]

Excellent presentation!👍👍🇺🇸

[@marilynstanbury5098]

Very useful video as usual,but as my garden is consumed by brambles they have to be tackled first! You are always eating peas, my favourite, so you must be continually sowing them….thanks

[@thozamabuda3348]

Thank you so much for the beautiful video, l'll implement this great design as soon as l get a piece of land❤

[@lisag.6599]

Fantastic, Huw; thank you!

[@miriamramos5011]

Thanks Huw! By the way, do you have any tips, ideas for apartment dwellers? Maybe you can do a video how to grow for apartment dwellers. Can you? And, maybe invite others in your show that done this with success.

[@maisycakes1125]

Have you seen Her 82m2 - the first videos were her balcony garden in Germany before she moved into a house and garden.

[@pieretteturner822]

Great Huw, very helpful, "food for thought" thank you.

[@HuwRichards]

Thanks!

[@LisaMay_HomeAndAway]

Loved this video it’s was so helpful thank you so much.

[@MarvinNL]

Brilliant and utterly useful! Thank you.

[@jasonnodwell6801]

Thank you! Great advice and video

[@lucynajasiocha8060]

If you have dedicated beds for specific crops do you have that in mind when you transplant things in the middle of the season? Or you start with organized garden and then it's a mix of what can fit where?

[@DrEnginerd1]

Was there ever a succession master class?

[@poeticmic6219]

As always love your channel and bought your books :)

[@HuwRichards]

I really appreciate it!

[@theboyberm]

Hi Huw This is my fist attempt with an allotment. I have a question for you what is the best mix to have for raised beds I have available to me an abundance of horse manure for free. i would like to get these filled and settled for next spring

[@saltburner2]

Enjoyable, even though I don't any longer have a garden, just a few tubs!

[@phoebeel]

Hey can i ask a silly question? I want to put raised beds in my garden but wood is so expensive... So i thoight of doing those low beds i can see in your garden. What is different about them compared to a raised bed? Im guessing it still has compost on the bottom and soil on top but why do some people make 40cm high raised beds and others those 20cm ones?

[@ecocentrichomestead6783]

"A rubber", it's been 35 years since I heard an eraser called that!

[@ArwenWeasel]

What keeps opening the gate behind you?! I am going to raise my plan drawing game after watching this great vid.

[@erikahuxley]

Wish I organized my raised beds better when I started my current garden 5 years ago, but now I just have to adapt to its current design.

[@mirandam8021]

Thank you! 🌻

[@lucynajasiocha8060]

Also do you work with moon phase calendar when it comes to sowing/planting?

[@harrytawse]

I absolutely love your videos but live and garden in the southern hemisphere (Australia). Is it possible to speak in terms of seasons instead of months ...eg early, mid or late summer etc, which is then easy to translate to December, January or February in the southern hemisphere.. 😊

[@imaginativeusername4732]

Looks a beautiful plan already to me! Unfortunately i can't draw as well as that!

[@janthistlethwaite2898]

Hugh how do you support the expence of all you do surely you must run a market garden ?. Or are you just a lotto winner.

[@oliverlondon5246]

Super helpful, thanks! One question: is there a reason why you wouldn’t include the space around the fence in your plan? For example to grow peas or something similar along them?

[@HuwRichards]

Of course! I wasn't trying to complicate this video too much!

[@fadmacat]

Got it. Christmas tree goes on the top left. ❤

[@traceyingram-vd4ip]

Great video, just what I needed👍

[@elenabeza4432]

Thanks

[@christineclarke1653]

Weirdly mega impressed that English is your second language 😊

[@elenabeza4432]

Thank you so mugh ❤❤❤

[@SantiChanrot-uz3lr]

Good job!👍

[@MiwaKaursKitchen]

As always thanks Huw for an amazing video! Does anyone know if it's ok to add seeds from winter squash and melons into compost? I use a tumbling composter

[@dawnpettiglio6930]

If it doesn't get to 120° for 5 days, the seeds will sprout

[@MiwaKaursKitchen]

​@@dawnpettiglio6930 thanks!

[@lemonielala3080]

Yes it is fine. If they sprout they'll die once you turn the compost or even disturb it a little, since they are super fragile.

[@ivanasapirov6047]

This is greatttt💎💎💎🙏🙏🙏. Pls dooo some more (for bigners)

[@auntiemo103]

Am I right to assume that your “runner” beans are what Americans call pole beans (that climb) and your “field” beans are what we call bush beans? I ONLY grow pole beans because it conserves more space using just 4 bed areas (3 raised, 1 in ground) for all the things-this year I added 3 big (24” diam) grow bags to expand a bit.

[@lemonielala3080]

Scarlet runner beans have bigger and flatter pods and usually really beautiful red flowers, whereas the regular pole beans have smaller more tender round pods and white or purple flowers. Field beans are a form of fava bean. 👍

[@robynstone4049]

This is great but i noticed no tomatoes orcapcicums

[@LisaMay_HomeAndAway]

Please do a video on succession planting

[@HuwRichards]

You've reminded me I need to do this and so I will release one soon!

[@LisaMay_HomeAndAway]

I live near you so your videos are my favourite as our growing zones are the same. ❤️