Time needed: 4 hours.

A quick guide to getting your Victory Garden in the ground to make social distancing healthier and more productive.

1. Find the right place for a your garden

   Sun: The plants in your Victory Garden (or any garden) need from 4-8 hours of direct sunlight every day.
   Soil: Garden plants require soil that is 6-8 inches deep.
   Security: A garden space needs protection from human traffic, hungry animals and extreme weather.
   Water: Whether from the sky or a garden hose, plants require enough water to be healthy and productive.
   More on Site Selection.

2. Prepare your Soil

   Next, use a gardening fork, trowel or hand cultivator to loosen up the soil that will become your garden. Therefore, when you’re finished, the soil should be worked at least 6 inches (15cm) deep but, ideally, up to 1 foot (30cm).
   When it’s ready, the soil will be broken up into fine, small clumps, most no bigger than a pea.
   Read more on Cultivation.

3. Planting

   You plant by placing seeds directly into the soil (sowing) or by transplanting seedlings into your garden.
   Very small seeds need to be closer to the surface while larger seeds should be deeper (2-3 times their length is a safe bet).
   After putting your seeds in the the soil, lightly pack the soil on top of them.
   For transplants, dig a hole slightly deeper than the seedling’s container and wide enough for the container to fit into it.
   Next, remove your seedling and its soil from the container and place it into the hole. Make sure the top of your transplant’s soil is level with your garden’s soil, then pack it down lightly.
   More on Planting.

4. Watering

   Finally, give your new seeds and transplants plenty of water. The best way to do this is with a showering watering can or a slow pour to avoid washing away seeds or loose soil. Here’s a video for help.
   For best germination, seeds like a lot of water the first time, followed by smaller, regular waterings before they completely dry out.
   More on Watering.