By Jim Long From The Herb Companion What could be more convenient than stepping into your backyard to grab a handful of garden-fresh green beans, crisp lettuce or a fully ripe, mouthwatering tomato? By growing vegetables and herbs, you can ensure they’ve been raised with care. Plus, with your own garden, you can switch to organic produce without breaking your budget. Simply choose organic methods for healthier food and a healthier environment. With The Herb Companion’s simple, step-by-step plan, you can begin to reap the benefits of your own kitchen garden this summer. Ground Rules One of the most common mistakes new gardeners make is trying to do too much the first year. With that in mind, we’ve divided our plan into installments, which you can implement over three, four or five years. The first— and arguably most important — step is to choose the location of your garden. The groundwork you do there will be the most labor-intensive part of your project, so choose wisely.