Plan Your Garden in 9 Steps

Do you want to start a garden but you're not sure where to start? It's all about planning. Remember, "failure to plan is planning to fail." You want to choose the right crops at the right time at the right location. Here's a comprehensive guide:

Step 1. Determine your location.

Your location must have at access to at least 6 hours of sun. The size of your garden will determine which crops you can grow and what cultural practices you can follow. Potential locations include your backyard, the side of your home, your patio, deck, windowsill, or even front yard. Make sure to read your zoning laws, some cities don't allow front yard gardens. I suggest creating your garden close to the central hub of activity, such as your house, or a workshop.

Step 2. Choose your crops.

Plant crops you're interested in. What's your favorite food? Think about what vegetable or fruit ingredients are in that food and plant it! Make a list and research each crop.

Step 3. Research your crops.

Check what size they will grow and if you have enough room for them to thrive. Find out if you should plant them as seeds or as transplants, some crops like carrots are better off planting as seeds, other crops like lettuce can easily survive as transplants. Another important thing to know is their growing season, are they a cool season crop like lettuce? Or a warm season crop like watermelon? This will tell you when you can start planting. Also, find out their ideal pH level.

Step 4. Beds, Rows, Trellises, or Containers?

Once you've determined which crops are suitable for your space and climate, it's time to choose if you will plant your crops in beds, rows, containers, and if you'll need a trellis. Rows are a traditional way of farming, but require a lot of space and labor. Beds are a better alternative because it's concentrated to a a single area. If you choose to use beds, do not make them wider than the reach of your arm. You want to be able to access the crops in the center when it's time to water and harvest. Perhaps you've chosen an indoor garden, if that's the case, you need to choose to plant in containers.

Step 5. Design the layout.

You know what crops you want to grow, you know where you want to grow them, and you know how you're going to grow them. It's time to get personalize your garden and which direction the rows will be in, where the beds will be, and so on. You can even make it decorative and have a fountain centerpiece! Make sure to leave at least a foot and a half of distance between rows or beds.

Step 6. Prepare the soil

Go to your local extension agent to talk about testing your soil and how to get it to the appropriate pH level your crops require. You can add lime to increase the pH level, or you can add sulphur to decrease the pH level. Once you've made the necessary adjustments, allow a few months for the elements to settle in. If you're choosing to plant in containers, simply buy commercial potting mix and you're ready to plant. This is also the time to work in the compost and remove weeds.

Step 7. Harden off. (skip this step if you are not using transplants)

Adapt your transplant to the outdoor exposure by placing in container in a shaded area outside for 2 days with indirect sunlight. Gradually expose the transplant to the sunlight, start with one hour per day. By the end of the week, the plant will be ready to transplant.

Step 8. Plant!

Read your seed's package label to determine how deep you must plant the seed and the individual water requirements. Once the seedlings emerge, you must thin the seedlings and remove the weak seedlings. Do not pull these out, simply use scissors to keep the roots intact.

Step 9. Maintain your garden.

Create a thriving environment by watering regularly, but not excessively. Remember to control pests, even if you have an indoor garden, they can find a way in. A good idea to eliminate pests is to have beneficial insects.

Read my other blog posts to learn about other home food production practices.