Your First Food Garden and Small Farm

Map sun and access, test soil, start compost, set up a container or bed, and sow your first seeds.

1. Map sun, access and garden constraints1 h
2. Test soil and plan safe growing beds1 h
3. Build soil with compost and organic matter1 h
4. Choose containers and raised beds1 h
5. Match seeds and transplants to the season1 h

Water by measurement, mulch and weed, scout for pests with IPM, harvest and plant your pilot bed.

1. Water efficiently without spreading disease1 h
2. Mulch and manage weeds1 h
3. Identify pests and use integrated pest management1 h
4. Harvest, rotate crops and save suitable seeds1 h
5. Create a first-year garden plan1 h

Lay out a homestead, plan staple crops and labor, add perennials, decide whether poultry or small livestock fit your resources and budget a season.

1. Plan a small homestead layout1 h
2. Plan staple crops, yields and labor realistically1 h
3. Use agroecology, orchards and perennials1 h
4. Assess whether poultry fits your resources1 h
5. Plan small livestock welfare and biosecurity1 h
6. Build a resilient seasonal farm budget1 h

Read hardiness zones and frost dates, then plan for your region, starting with the Southeast where the school is. Take the lessons that match where you grow.

1. Read hardiness zones, frost dates and heat limits1 h
2. Grow in Southeast and humid subtropical climates1 h
3. Plan a Northeast and Great Lakes garden1 h
4. Garden in Midwest and Great Plains conditions1 h
5. Grow in Southwest deserts and dry valleys1 h
6. Plan Pacific coast and Mediterranean gardens1 h
7. Adapt to mountains, Alaska and short seasons1 h

Compare tropical, highland and other world climates using local agronomy advice, then build a crop and planting calendar for your own site.

1. Grow in tropical America and the Caribbean1 h
2. Compare highlands and temperate South America1 h
3. Use climate, water and local agronomy globally1 h
4. Build a local crop and planting calendar1 h