How to Start a Garden

There are a few tips on how to garden that you need to keep in mind before you jump in.

1.Start small and expand

This is the biggest mistake gardeners make. We're anxious to have a beautiful, lush garden, whether it's flowers, vegetables or herbs, or any combination.

We can't resist all the amazing plants we see in the garden center and we buy them all. Or we plant so many seed packs that our homes are taken over by seed trays.

The best way to keep from getting overwhelmed is to start your garden small, tend it, watch it grow, and plan its growth over a few seasons.

2.Decide on what you want to grow

You may have a few ideas in mind. Maybe a vegetable garden to grow some family favorites.

Perhaps a few herbs and lots of colorful flowers; or perhaps only one color palette.

Before you can know how to grow a garden, and where to grow a garden, you first have to know what you want to grow.

Give some thought to where you want to start and what you'd like to have this season.

3.Choose and check the site

Once you know what you want to grow, you need to check the site you plan to use.

If you're growing vegetables, you'll need an area that gets at least ten hours of sunlight daily.

If you have a particular flower in mind, learn its specific needs for sun and soil.

You can either pick a site and find plants that will grow well there, or decide on the plants you want to grow and find an area in your landscape that is accommodating to their needs.

Either way, your plants will thrive when they're in the right environment.

Look for slopes where soil may erode, low spots that stay wet after a rain, areas that get afternoon shade from a neighbor's tree or morning shade from your house.

Follow the sun for a few days and note where it hits the site. Check if an area is exposed to wind.

Don't forget areas that are frequented by people and pets, which may interfere with your garden plans.

Draw up a plan for where things will be planted. You may find you need more than one area for different types of plantings.

4.Check the soil

The pH of your soil measures how acid or alkaline your soil is. Take a sample to your local Cooperative Extension Office for an evaluation.

If the soil clay, sandy, rocky? Does it drain well, and retain moisture or does it stay wet or dry out easily? These are all important factors for plants.

Know what you have and how to amend it with organic compost to get rich soil for your plants.

5.Prepare the site

Dig in! Remove any sod or plants that need to go and till the soil to break up heavy clumps.

Add any amendments needed and work them into the soil. These will be the food your plants will use to grow lush.

6.Plant

Purchase your plants and check your drawn up plan for placement. Check the tags on plants to find the appropriate depth to plant each one and the spacing needed between plantings.

How to plant a garden will depend on what you're planting. Water the plants the day before planting in the ground.

One at a time, take the plants from the pots and place them in the soil, gently tamping down the soil around each one before moving on to the next.

Separate the roots gently to allow them to spread in their new home. Once all the plants are in the soil, water gently to help them settle in.

The plants should get at least an inch of water weekly, depending on the variety and specific needs.

7.Mulch

Adding a layer of mulch will help retain moisture, block weeds and keep the soil cool.

Organic mulch also improves the soil. Chipped bark, shredded leaves or straw, and compost are good choices for most garden beds.

Plastic or fabric mulches add warmth to the soil, which is beneficial to vegetables.

These will need a top coating of bark or compost to cover them and keep them in place.

8.Keep a record

All of the tags and information on your plants should be kept. A journal where you can record dates for flowering or fruiting, weather conditions, weed problems or any other information about the garden is handy and useful.

Start planning how to expand your garden next season. Make a note of what you want to add, what didn't work this year and why.

9.Maintenance

Set up a routine – watch for weeds, pests, diseases. Deadhead spent blooms, prune bushes, and become familiar with what your plants are susceptible to.

Keep notes in your journal so you're better prepared next year.

10.Enjoy

You've done all the work, now sit back and relax. Enjoy the bounty and await the harvest.

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