Key Points
- Fill raised beds with a custom mix of topsoil, compost, and lava sand, and add trellises for support and airflow.
- Practice successive sowing, grow diverse plant varieties, and use flowers to attract pollinators to boost fruit production.
- Experiment with different cultivars to find the ones that you like and that grow best in your climate.
Kyle Hagerty is undeterred by failure. When he started gardening 20-some years ago, his first edible crops—two tomato plants—ended in disaster: “The deer got to them before I could,” he remembers. These days, his 6,500-square-foot home garden in Sacramento shows off all he’s learned since then—providing enough fresh food for him and plenty to share with his coworkers (he’s a full-time firefighter).
No matter how big or small your garden is, these top tips can help you maximize your harvest.
Meet the Expert…