Gardeners make their vegetable gardens

Growing a vegetable garden, especially for the first time, can be intimidating. Whether you're concerned about location, soil, or planting techniques, there are so many variables to consider that even the most experienced gardeners will admit: they make mistakes sometimes. Because everyone makes mistakes, we turned to expert gardeners for their insight. While they provided a list of common mistakes, we were happy to know that each problem had a solution.

Mistake 1: Choosing the wrong location

Back to the Roots says the most common mistake is choosing the wrong location. This is best sorted by planning, considering what you want to plant and what conditions the plants need to thrive. But if you've already started planting in the "wrong" place, that's okay. Arora notes that you should evaluate your conditions and let that dictate what you plant. The most important factors, he notes, are well-drained soil and the right amount of sun. "Seeds have a lot of magic in them to produce life and bounty, but we have to give them the right conditions to grow."

Mistake 2: Thinking you need a ton of space

Arora says it's a common myth that you put off starting your vegetable garden because you don't have enough space. Really, any place will do if you plan it right

"You can grow vegetables in containers, raised beds, or even on your windowsill, which can create a bountiful garden in small spaces like balconies or patios,"

Mistake 3: Looking for shortcuts when growing plants

Growing a lush and productive vegetable garden takes time, and Arora says no chemical pesticides or fertilizers will get you there quickly. These things can cause more problems for you and your plants in the long run. Instead, Arora says, it's better to look toward organic, sustainable gardening products and practices. This way, you improve long-term health and cause minimal harm to yourself and your environment. "By choosing organic, you're not only going to grow bigger plants today, but you're going to protect the soil and the people you love in the years to come," says Arora.

John Langer of American Meadows agrees, noting that you can fight pests in other ways—one that doesn't require additional products but does require additional plants. As Langer explains, planting some wildflower mixes in your vegetable garden can help deter pests. It also works for larger invaders like deer and rabbits. "Rounding your vegetable patch with a border of lavender and allium will help discourage overeating."

Mistake 4: Ignoring the importance of pollinators

According to Megan Foster of American Meadows, a big gardening mistake she often sees is focusing only on specific vegetable plants and forgetting to include pollinating plants as a whole.

As Foster explains, this is one of the main reasons why first-time vegetable growers don't see any signs of fruit or vegetables. "No pollination means no vegetables, fruits, grains or oils (canola, sunflower, palm)," says Foster. To avoid this, he recommends deliberately including pollinator plants in groups of three or more among your fruit and vegetable plants. "This makes it easier for bees, butterflies, and birds to spot them from the sky," Foster explains. "Milkweed, coneflowers, and sunflowers are easy to grow and are a great addition to the vegetable garden."

Foster also gave us a handy list of plants and pollinators called companion plants—and all companion plants are edible.

Pole beans + passionflower vine

Tomato + borage

Spinach + Calendula

Pepper + Alyssum

Cucumbers + nasturtium, dill

Mistake 5: Starting out too big

If this is your first year of vegetable gardening, your brain is racing with possibilities. Aurora recommends stepping back and slowing down, and this is especially true if you're working with limited space. "Try growing something! — see how easy and fun it can be," Arora says, adding that this is true even in a small space. In fact, your garden Size won't stop you. "You can try growing cherry tomatoes on your windowsill with a kit."

Langer agrees, and he recommends trying grow bags specifically for this reason. This is a great way to start small and keep costs down. "To ensure pollinators find your mini garden, plant one container of pollinator wildflower mix for every two growing vegetables," she says.