Couple of meals are much better than a fresh, hot pizza– especially one that’s homemade. If you want to take it to the next level, consider growing a pizza garden.

Choose a Location for Your Pizza Garden

Pick a location that provides appropriate sunlight and soil drain. “In general, the plants in pizza gardens need plenty of sunlight, a minimum of six to 8 hours of direct sunshine per day,” states Carrie Spoonemore, co-creator of Park Seed’s From Seed to Spoon app. “The soil needs to be well-draining and abundant in nutrients.”

If beginning inside, pick a bright spot like a windowsill. Also think about how much area you have– a pizza garden does not have to be big if planted in containers or raised beds..

How to Make and Plant a Pizza Garden.

Pizza gardens can be grown in the ground or in containers. If you’re growing it in your garden, you’ll need to prepare a bed prior to planting.

Step 1: Clear the Area.

As soon as you’ve chosen a planting website, start by getting rid of any weeds, rocks, or particles from the area. You can get rid of weeds through pulling or cultivating, but note that the latter brings more weed seeds to the surface, states Melinda Myers, gardening specialist and host of the Great Courses How to Grow Anything DVD series.

Step 2: Prepare the Soil.

Gently till the soil by breaking up any clumps, eliminating rocks and debris, and loosening the soil. “This allows the roots to permeate quickly and promotes much better plant growth,” says Spoonemore.

Step 3: Add Organic Matter.

Modifying your soil with organic matter will offer plants with necessary nutrients and improve soil fertility. “Those with fast draining, sandy soil or heavy soils might choose to work a number of inches of compost or other organic matter into the leading 8 inches of the soil,” says Myers. ” The compost enhances drain in clay soil and increases water retention in sandy soil.”.

Step 4: Level the Surface.

Ensure the surface area of the bed is level and even. “This will aid with water circulation and make it simpler to plant and care for the garden,” states Spoonemore.

Step 5: Plan Your Layout.

Once your bed is ready, decide on the placement of each plant based on the space requirements and development routines. “Leave adequate area in between plants to accommodate their mature sizes and promote appropriate air flow,” states Spoonemore.

Action 6: Add Your Plants.

Now it’s time for the fun part– including your plants. “Follow the directions on the seed packages for appropriate planting depth,” says Spoonemore. “Water the seeds well after planting to help them develop.” If planting from a container, dig appropriate sized holes for your plants, eliminate the plants from their containers, position them in their designated spot, and backfill with soil.

How to Segment a Pizza Garden.

There are many methods to sector a pizza garden– and the one you pick comes down to personal preference.

By plant type: Group different areas by tomato plants, herbs, and peppers. “This makes it simple to tend to each plant’s specific needs,” states Spoonemore.
By colors: Organize the garden beds by colors to develop an aesthetically impressive pizza garden. “Group red tomatoes with red bell peppers or place yellow bell peppers with golden cherry tomatoes,” says Spoonemore.
By companion planting: Certain plants grow much better when placed near each other. The strong odor of basil can keep pests away from tomatoes.
By development practice: Segment the garden by height. “Place tall plants like tomatoes and trellised peppers in the back and shorter herbs and toppings in the front,” says Spoonemore.
By shape: Shape your garden bed like a pizza and section the plants into slices. Use a rope to mark the outline of the circle, then divide into sections like a sliced pizza. “You can have each component in each piece of the pizza or the taller plants in the middle and shorter ones on the edge,” says Myers.

How to Care for a Pizza Garden.

Like any kind of garden, there is some regular care your pizza garden will require to ensure it thrives.

Water.

The watering needs of each plant can vary based upon factors like its size, soil type, climate condition, and plant maturity. “In general, a lot of pizza gardens require about 1 to 2 inches of water per week,” states Spoonemore. “Ensure that the soil stays consistently damp but not saturated. Stick your finger about 1 inch into the soil to look for moisture. If it feels dry, it’s time to water.” It’s best to water your garden in the early morning prior to the sun gets too hot.

Sunlight.

Normally, most plants in a pizza garden require a great deal of sunlight. At least six to eight hours of direct sunshine each day is ideal.

Soil.

Pizza gardens need well-draining, fertile soil that contains essential nutrients. To get a better understanding of the type of soil you have, consider carrying out a soil test. This will inform you what changes your soil needs, if any.

Fertilizer.

When your pizza garden is established, administer a fertilizer with an analysis of 3 percent nitrogen, 4 percent phosphorous, and 4 percent potassium, states Spoonemore. This will supplement the soil with nutrients during the growing season.

Support.

Some of the plants in your pizza garden will require support. “It is highly suggested to provide stakes for plants that have a vining or upright growth practice,” says Spoonemore. “These plants can become top-heavy as they mature and the stakes will not just provide support, however also enhance air circulation by keeping them upright, enhance sunshine direct exposure by raising them off the ground, and make them simpler to collect.”.

Best Plants for a Pizza Garden.

Grow plants in your pizza garden that you can use for garnishes and sauce. The vegetables and herbs you select come down to personal choice, but there are some ranges experts advise.

Tomatoes (paste tomatoes, like Roma and Amish Paste, can be utilized for the sauce).
Onions.
Garlic.
Bell pepper.
Basil.
Oregano.
Arugula.
Spinach.

Growing a Pizza Garden in Containers.

If you don’t have room to grow a pizza garden in the ground, choose for a container garden instead. “Container plants might require more regular watering than garden plants, as they can dry out quicker.