Planning your garden is one of the most important parts of gardening. There are some criteria that should be followed like where to plant, what to plant, preparing the soil and when water your plants. Here are some tips that will help you through some of the most crucial steps to planting a garden.
Where to Plant Your Garden
Thinking about where you should plant your garden is going to be of the utmost importance. Many garden plants love the sun but there are just as many that don’t need sun the whole day. You should find a location that is going to be a happy medium. Sunshine in the morning and evening is less damaging to your plants so try to choose a location that is shaded in the hottest hours of the day.
Choosing the Plants for your Garden
Eighty percent of the gardens in the U.S. are composed of tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers and green beans. If you live in a region that has rich soil, you will be able to plant almost anything you want. You should only plant what you and your family or friends will consume. Choose foods that are easy to grow and ones that do not need a lot of maintenance.
Preparing the Soil for Planting
Before you start planting there are a few things you should do to it in preparation:
- Till up the grass and remove any that was not broken up by the tiller. It may require you to literally remove the top layer in order to get the root system of the grass. If this happens, you may want to consider having fill dirt hauled in to keep your garden at ground level.
- Remove any rocks or debris that may have been embedded in the soil that the tiller dug up.
- Fertilize the soil with a rich fertilizer or use compost material to enrich the soil.
- Put down a grass deterrent. You can purchase crystals that are sprinkled directly onto the soil that will keep weeds and grass from growing but will not harm your plants.
- Test the soil for the pH level. It is important to have the proper pH level in the soil in order to initiate growth.
When to Water your Garden
Once you have planted your seeds or seedlings, you will want to keep the soil moist but not soaked. Keeping the soil too moist will promote bacteria and your plants will rot before they even start growing. It is best to gingerly water the soil when it appears dry. Remember that even though the soil on top of the ground looks dry there is still moisture deeper down and your plants draw from that moisture as well. Some people find that planting their seeds, watering them down and then covering the area with clear lightweight plastic promotes growth much quicker. This method also helps the soil retain moisture and create its own moisture by condensation. After you have seen to all of this, simply set back and watch your garden grow.
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