The right location for your vegetables

The location often decides success or disappointment before the first planting. Light, soil, warmth and proximity to water determine how well your plants grow and how rich the harvest turns out. Anyone who knows their garden and places the crops accordingly saves a lot of effort later.

The most important ingredient is light: most vegetables need a sunny spot to grow strongly and set fruit.

Light – the most important factor

Sun-hungry fruiting vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, chillies, aubergines, cucumbers and pumpkins want a full-sun spot with six to eight hours of sun. Leafy vegetables (lettuce, chard, spinach) and many herbs also thrive in light part shade – in high summer part shade even protects them from scorching and quick bolting.

The right soil

Vegetables love humus-rich, loose and deep soil that stores water but does not become waterlogged. Improve heavy soils with compost and sand, sandy ones with compost and well-rotted manure. A look at the pH value is worthwhile: most vegetables like a slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6–7).

Warmth, wind and position

A sheltered, warm spot – for example against a south wall – encourages warmth-loving crops. Avoid frost pockets (hollows where cold air collects) and very windy corners. A hedge or fence as a windbreak provides a more balanced climate.

Water and accessibility

A bed near a water connection saves you a lot of carrying in summer. It is also practical if you can reach all the plants comfortably without compacting the soil – plan paths or stepping stones.

Frequently asked questions

What grows in the shade?
Full shade is difficult; in part shade lettuces, spinach, chard, radishes and many herbs still grow well.

Can I grow vegetables on the balcony?
Yes – in sufficiently large containers and a sunny spot this works with tomatoes, herbs, lettuce and much more.

With the right location and strong young plants you lay the foundation for a rich harvest. We raise our young plants to be robust.