How to Start Your Own Backyard Garden

Whether you have a large yard or just a few pots on a balcony, you can grow food successfully in the Marianas with some planning and creativity.

1. Assess Your Space

Look for areas with at least six hours of sunlight a day and good drainage. If your soil is rocky or compacted, try raised beds or container gardening. Even recycled buckets or wooden pallets can become productive garden plots.

2. Plan Your Layout

Map out your planting area. Group crops with similar sunlight and water needs together. Rotate crops each season to avoid soil depletion and pest buildup. Intercropping is the process of planting multiple species in the same space. This process can improve yields and protect plants naturally.

3. Prepare the Soil

Healthy soil is the foundation of a successful garden. Mix compost or aged manure into your soil to boost nutrients and microbial life. If your soil is sandy or clay-heavy, adding organic matter improves structure and water retention.

4. Choose Your Plants Wisely

Select crops suited to the current season. Leafy greens and herbs often thrive during cooler months, while fruiting plants like tomatoes and cucumbers prefer warmth. MPA and NMC-CREES provide local planting calendars for Saipan, Rota, and Tinian.

5. Water Efficiently

Water in the early morning or late afternoon to reduce evaporation. Drip irrigation systems or simple soaker hoses help conserve water. Collect rainwater using barrels or gutter systems—an eco-friendly and cost-effective option.

6. Manage Pests Naturally

Avoid harsh chemicals that harm beneficial insects and contaminate soil. Instead, use neem oil, garlic spray, or chili pepper solutions as natural repellents. Encourage biodiversity by planting flowers that attract pollinators and predatory insects like ladybugs.

7. Harvest and Replant

Pick produce regularly to encourage continuous growth. After harvesting one crop, replant quickly to maintain soil cover and steady food production throughout the year.