Site selection

Your whole backyard can be converted into a farm, but for the initial stage, you need to choose a spot for your garden. There are a few criteria for choosing the right spot.

The spot should be such that there is a lot of sunlight. The spot should receive 6 hours of sunlight, per day. If such a spot does not exist in your place, choose the spot with maximum sunlight. If you live in an area which receives very low sunlight, choose the crops which do not need a lot of sunlight. You need to choose plants, as per conditions prevailing in your region.

Keep the location of the backyard farm as much as near to the water, as possible. This would help to reduce the time and also check whether you can drive a wheel barrow to your spot.

Pick a spot which can be viewed from your room window or your kitchen. This way, you can scare away the birds or other pests and you would know whether the plants need water or not. It will help you remember that you have a farm in your backyard and that you need to take care of it. It also helps to have a great view, after the farm is fully developed.

The backyard farm should have proper drainage. If the ground is soggy, it is not the ideal destination. This would cause the roots to decay and the plants would die. If your whole site is soggy, then you can consider using pots or raised beds for growing the plants.

The site selection totally depends upon the type of plant, you are planning to grow. The soil, sun, water are the basic elements, which will help the plants, sustain themselves. The soil should suit the plant. The plant should be able to get an adequate amount of water and sun. The place should be easy to maintain.

If you are in a windy zone like a hilltop or an open plain, you should be able to choose a spot which has protection from the wind, so that it would not damage the crop. When you are planning to put a wall or a fence to reduce the speed of the wind, make sure it is strong enough. The wind would push the fence or the wall over the crops and this would damage and flatten the vegetation.