Garden Prep: What You Need to Know

We are getting close to spring, (10 days, but who’s counting?) which means it’s time to start planning what you want to plant in your garden this year. We’ve got a few tips you need to know to make sure your garden prep goes off without a hitch.

Know Your Landscape

As you start daydreaming about warmer temperatures, green grass and blooming flowers, think about the type of garden you want. If you have an apartment in the city, you may want to try a window box on your balcony or even an indoor herb garden. If you have limited outdoor space like a patio, you can make your space green with elevated garden beds or planters. If you have a yard, well, the possibilities are endless, but having a simple garden design that outlines where you want different types of plants will take the stress out of your spring project.

Photo credit: nmmastergardeners.org

Know What to Plant

If you’re a cook and you want to grow vegetables to add to your family meals, have an idea of the kind of vegetables you like and if now is a good time to plant them. You may have to wait until after the first frost to get your hands dirty and get to planting, or you may have to plant some of your seeds indoors while you wait for a warm up and then transfer your seedlings outside.

If you want a decorative garden, consider planting flowers according to when they bloom.  If you design your garden just right, you can have color from spring through fall.

Know Your Soil

Some soil may be too sandy and won’t hold enough nutrients to keep your plants thriving, other soil may contain too much clay to allow plants to take root. For the optimum soil, you may have to enrich your soil.  You can do this by adding manure, compost or potting mix to your soil.  Not only will adding organic matter to your soil supplement it with nutrients, but it will also boost its moisture and air content, making it a healthy environment for plants and flowers to thrive.

Photo Credit: westerngardeners.com

Know your garden tools

You don’t have to have a garage full of tools to create a beautiful landscape, but there are basic gadgets you should have to get your lot growing. For gardens big and small, make sure to have work gloves, a watering can, a trowel, and a hand rake. Once you get started and your ideas for your garden flourish with your flowers, you can adjust your garden tool belt as needed.

With the right ideas, right tools and right decorations, the only thing left to make a great garden is sunshine and warm temperatures. Looking on the bright side, if this spring is anywhere near as long as this winter, you’ll be enjoying your garden for many months.