Gardening Plans for Our Quarter-Acre Lot in Town

Cultivating Savings and Joy: A Personal Journey of Home Gardening on a Quarter-Acre Lot

Hey there, gardening friend! Do you have a small yard, but still want to grow some of your own food? Me, too! In this post, I’ll be sharing our gardening plans for our quarter-acre lot in town. I think there is the potential to grow so much food here.

This year will be my first real year of gardening in Colorado. I had big vegetable gardens when we lived in New Mexico, and I find that I miss gardening so much since we moved! Not only does a garden provide baskets of tasty veggies, spending time in the garden is truly a source of relaxation for me. 

I don’t have nearly as much space for gardening as I had at our previous home, but I think with creative use of every square foot, I can grow enough food to help our grocery budget. Many of us are searching for ways to save money at the grocery store and lead healthier lives, and gardening is a fantastic way to achieve both. So, let’s dig in (pun intended) to our gardening plans for our quarter-acre lot. I’m looking forward to ripe tomatoes, fragrant herbs, and the satisfaction of homegrown meals. I can’t wait!

What Will We Plant?

Starting a garden begins with a simple question: What do we love to eat? I’ve made a list of our family’s favorite fruits, vegetables, and herbs.  Not only does this ensure I’ll be growing what we’ll actually enjoy, but it also prevents waste and will maximize the use of our space. I won’t be growing everything on my list right away, and my list may even change over time, but it’s a start.

There’s nothing like biting into a fresh, sun-warmed tomato from your own backyard. I grow cherry tomatoes mainly so I have them to snack on while I’m working in the garden. Tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, spinach, zucchini, and cilantro are just a few staples I’m planning to start with. 

I’ll be learning the art of succession planting. I’ve never been good at this. By staggering plantings, I hope to have a steady supply of fresh produce. It takes a bit more planning, but it will be worth it. I’ll use succession planting mainly for lettuce, spinach, and herbs. 

Understanding Your Growing Zone

Gardening will be a bit different here at our new home. It’s not a huge change, but we are at a higher elevation and our growing season is shorter. We love to grow both sweet and hot peppers, so I’ll be looking into how we can get the most from our growing season for those.

To find information about your first and last frost dates and how long your growing season is, research your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone. This is a helpful tool gives you the information you need to maximize your growing season, so you can know which plants will work in your climate and when it’s generally safe to plant them. You certainly don’t want to spend money on beautiful tomato plant starts and then put them out too early and lose them to cold temperatures!

I think a great way to get information about your growing zone is to talk to gardeners in your area. Ask people who live near you when they put their plants out in the spring, and when the first fall frost usually arrives. The Plant Hardiness Zones are helpful, but so is the experience of your neighbors. Different areas within the same zip code can differ slightly in terms of climate.

Finding the Perfect Spot

Now, let’s talk about how we’re going to maximize our space. On a quarter-acre lot, every inch counts. Around our yard we have some sunny, unused areas where my plants can bask in the sunlight. Vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and squash will love those sunny spaces. In more shaded areas, I’ll plant herbs or leafy greens that can tolerate less light.

I’ve got my eye on three areas in our yard that I plan to transform into new garden spaces: In the area where I’m creating a cottage garden, I plan to mix in some veggies and berries. It’s close to our back door, so I’ll plant herbs and maybe a tomato or two. Things we can pop out and pick to go with a meal. On the west side of our home, I’ll build raised beds for vegetables and plant dwarf fruit trees and some berry bushes. In the front yard, which gets a lot of shade, I’ll plant leafy greens and some herbs that can tolerate shade in the flower beds next to the house. I’m hoping to be able to grow cilantro in those beds. 

I’ll be doing some vertical gardening, too. It’s a huge help in maximizing space in a small garden area. Trellises for climbing plants like peas or beans can significantly increase your yield without taking up much ground space. I love sugar snap peas, so those will have a spot on a trellis.

I think there is a lot of space to grow food, if we think creatively. Isn’t it exciting to think of all the potential hiding in your yard?

Do the Plans Fit the Budget?

Of course, I’d be remiss if we didn’t talk about the budget. Yes, your garden can help you save money on groceries, and often supply you with fresher, more nutritious food than what you can buy at the store. But if you are starting a garden from scratch, you will likely have some expenses.

My main expenses for the first year will be soil to fill my raised beds, seeds and plant starts, and a minimal amount for drip irrigation supplies. I have materials to use to make my raised beds.

I do plan to fence my garden area, because Jesse Junebug Jones the border collie is a digger. I will not risk my hard work being dug up by a naughty doggo! But, my daughter has posts and fencing she’s going to bring over. She’ll be adding a few raised beds of her own to my garden area. She doesn’t have a good spot to garden at her house. I’ll be happy to have a gardening buddy!

The Soil Situation

Unfortunately, our soil is not fantastic. I’ve been adding leaves and grass clippings to decompose and add organic matter to help improve our soil’s health. I’ll also be planting cover crops. I’ve mostly planted in-ground gardens in the past, but I will be using raised garden beds the first year and probably the next year. My garden area will be smaller in the beginning because of this, but eventually, when I’ve improved the soil, I’ll be able to have a large garden and grow all the things! 

I’m thinking of purchasing a soil testing kit to see what our soil really needs. It just doesn’t look rich to me. It’s quite compacted and void of organic material, and therefore, I assume, the nutrients to grow healthy plants. Building good soil takes time. Each year, I’ll add things and after a while, I’ll have rich beautiful soil.

Planting for All Seasons

One of the joys of gardening is eating with the seasons. By planting cool-weather crops like lettuce and spinach in early spring, we can enjoy fresh salads to our heart’s content! I could eat salad almost every day. Fresh-picked spinach tastes much better than the spinach in a bag from the store.

For our summer garden, we will switch to heat-loving plants such as tomato plants, peppers, and zucchini. And then we’ll circle back in the fall with a fall garden for another round of cool-weather crops. This will help us stretch our gardening season and savings.

Honestly, I’ve never been good at early spring, summer, and fall gardens. I’ve normally just done one big garden all at once. I’m hoping that a benefit of having a small garden will be that I can be more mindful about planting and grow as much food as possible.

The Benefits Beyond the Plate

Cost savings are one benefit of gardening, but the perks go far beyond your wallet. Did you know that gardening can burn up to 300 calories per hour? It’s a fantastic way to stay active while enjoying the outdoors.

Also, studies have shown that gardening can significantly boost mental health by reducing stress and enhancing your mood. Imagine starting your day with a peaceful stroll through your garden, the air filled with the scent of blooming basil, the gentle hum of bees, and the promise of fresh produce. I know a walk in the garden has saved my sanity more than once. When I’m feeling grumpy, there’s not a weed to be found in our garden!

Watering Wisely

Water is a precious resource, and efficient watering techniques can make a big difference in both your garden’s success and your water bill. Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the roots, minimizing evaporation. It also keeps the water off the leaves of your plants, which can sometimes affect plant health. Coupling drip irrigation with mulch around your plants helps retain moisture, keeps weeds at bay, and improves soil health. It’s a win-win!

When we lived in New Mexico, we had irrigation water, so it was a one-time fee for the entire year, and it wasn’t very expensive. Now we live in town and are on city water. I want to be sure I’m getting the most of every drop. I have most of the supplies for setting up a drip irrigation system. I’d bought them to use at our old house and then we moved. I think drip irrigation will be the best way to have healthy plants and keep my water usage under control. I may need to buy a few things, but the cost to get started will be low. Setting it up will be mainly an investment of time.

Harvesting the Rewards

Finally, let’s talk about the thrill of harvesting. Few things compare to the joy of picking a ripe tomato for that first tomato sandwich of the season, snipping fresh herbs for dinner, or finding yet another way to use some of that zucchini. (Here’s my zucchini bread recipe.)

I think fresh-picked herbs and veggies take meals to a whole new level of deliciousness. It’s a reward for your hard work and a reminder of the simple pleasures in life. And as you fill your table with homegrown produce, you’ find more appreciation for the food you eat and the effort that goes into it.

In the end, gardening is about more than just saving money—it’s about learning new things, learning patience, and discovering the joy of growing things. So why not grab a trowel, roll up your sleeves, and start planting your own garden of savings and satisfaction? Your future self—and your family—will thank you.

Until next time, happy gardening! 

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