How to start and make a plan for gardening
Learning how to start a garden provides great satisfaction and enjoyment while also helping to reduce stress. To become a successful gardener, you must make a plan and have some ideas for starting your garden. There are important things to know and consider before you create your first planting bed. First, decide what type of garden you want to start: consider a cutting garden, a pure wildflower garden, a vegetable and herb garden, or maybe you want to start a butterfly garden. Begin small, like learning the best month to begin planting in your zone, then you can move on to envisioning your garden and exactly what you want to grow.
“I will provide some pre-planning tips and steps for starting a garden.”
Choose the ideal month to start a garden
Seeds and plants are usually put in the ground in early spring as soon as the soil is no longer frozen, there is no longer a threat of frost, and the soil has warmed up and is workable. However, different types of vegetables, flowers, and other plants require different seasons and timing, such as mid-spring, early summer, late summer, or fall, depending on your zone.
Choose Your Garden Type:
Before you break the soil, decide what kind of garden you want to grow. Will it be a bed for low-care native ornamentals? Is it a vegetable garden that will need a lot of nutrients to support food-producing plants? This will determine what kind of soil you need, whether that soil should be in containers, in an above-ground planter, or straight from the ground, and what kind of sun exposure your future plants need.
Pick Your Best Garden Spot:
Knowing what kind of garden you’re after makes it much easier to choose a spot for it in your landscaping, on your balcony, or on your patio. Make sure there’s plenty of space for the plants you want to grow, as well as access to water, so you don’t have to carry water to plants far from a hose as the summer progresses.
Clear the Ground:
Get rid of weeds and sod in the area you plan to plant. If you want quick results—for example, if it’s already spring and you want veggies this summer—cut it out. Slice under the sod with a spade. Cut the sod into sections to make it easier to remove. For a long-term project, you may want to buy some cleaning equipment to make your work easier.
Select the Right Plants:
As you select plants for your garden, do your homework to learn about a plant’s specific requirements to ensure you choose the right plants for the right location. Plants commonly used in garden beds and landscapes generally fall into these categories:
Herbaceous annuals: Plants that go through their entire lifecycle in one growing season and must be replanted every year. Many summer-flowering plants fall into this category, including marigolds, impatiens, petunias, zinnias, and cornflowers. In addition, some plants that are perennials in warm climates can be used as annuals in colder climates.
Prepare Your Planting Beds:
Loosening the soil in new beds before sowing or planting helps new roots grow more easily and access the water and nutrients they need. There are two methods: tilling with a mechanical device such as a rototiller or digging by hand. The first method is good when you need to mix in large amounts of amendments. However, it’s easy to overdo it, which can end up damaging soil structure. Digging is more practical for preparing small beds.
Either way, work the soil only when it’s moist enough to form a loose ball in your fist but dry enough to fall apart when you drop it. Digging when the soil is too dry is harder work, and you can damage the soil structure if it’s too wet. Use a spade or spading fork to gently turn the top 6–8 inches of soil, mixing in the organic matter from Step 4 at the same time. Walking on prepared beds compacts the soil, so lay down plywood boards temporarily to evenly distribute your weight.
Add Personal Touches:
Decorate your garden with personal touches like garden art, furniture, and pathways to make the space uniquely yours.
Consider adding elements like bird baths, insect hotels, or native plants to attract wildlife and boost biodiversity.
Monitor and Adjust:
Keep a gardening journal to track what works well and what needs adjustment. Note plant growth, weather conditions, and any pests or diseases.
Gardening is a dynamic process, so don’t hesitate to modify your plan based on what you learn and observe.