If your backyard is too shady, paved, or small for a vegetable garden, you can use the front yard instead. A well-planned front-yard garden can give you a good harvest and even help you meet new neighbors.

A few decades ago, front-yard vegetable gardens were common, but many people later chose lawns, which became a symbol of social status. Today, more homeowners are learning that lawns use a lot of water and chemicals, and can harm the soil and local environment. As a result, vegetable gardens in front yards are becoming popular again.

First, check local rules and ask your neighbors before you start. Then look for a place with at least six hours of direct sunlight. You can build simple raised beds on top of the lawn and fill them with topsoil and compost. In-ground beds should be narrow enough so you can reach the middle easily.

Before planting, test the soil’s pH, acidity level, and add lime as a soil sweetener or sulfur to add acidity to soil if needed. Most vegetables grow well in slightly acidic soil. Finally, keep the garden tidy by removing weeds and dead plants, and mix in some flowers to make it look attractive and to discourage insect pests.