Garden Preparation: A Simple How-To

“Each spring…a gardening instinct, sure as the sap rising in the trees, stirs within us. We look about and decide to tame another little bit of ground”. – Lewis Gantt

Preparing Your Garden for Springtime:

With spring right around the corner, now is the opportune time to begin garden preparations. Whether you desire a plentiful vegetable garden or a welcoming bed of flowers, the basis of each have the same planting process. Design, flora choice, soil amendments and physical labor must all be thoroughly considered before a garden can be properly created.

Your design choice will better familiarize you with your growing space, plants’ needs and optimal outcome. This will aide you in selecting appropriate plants for your climate zone, as well. It is important to note, many garden designs can be grown in a variety of climate zones as long as the plants used in those designs are hardy for your specific zone. For instance, I can have an English garden in East Texas; however, for optimal outcome it becomes necessary to substitute certain traditional plants for native ones.

In addition to choosing climate tolerant plants, a garden’s plant selection should be based on personal choice and desired garden output. If you plan on growing vegetables this spring, grow what you and your family love to eat. Don’t grow anything unless you enjoy it.

Tip #1: Create a Seed Calendar

This time of year, seed catalogs are readily available in print as well as online. Over the next thirty days, seed or plant orders need to be made in preparation for the garden. You may want to create a seed calendar. Research the times of planting, transplanting and harvesting; then, add them to your calendar (You may want to add actual sprouting dates, too). By keeping a seed calendar, a gardener can determine seasonal planting dates from year to year.

If you plan on purchasing live plants for your garden, research the varieties for sale and ensure their compatibility with your plans and plot location. Please note, sun and shade requirements truly impact a plant’s ability to thrive. I often hear from others about planting full sun roses in shaded areas and how they are they are under-performing.

Tip #2: Prepare Your Top Soil

Besides basic plant knowledge, a gardener must also have a keen grasp on the soil condition of the plot or bed. While you are waiting on your seeds to arrive, start amending your soil with fresh top soil, compost, manure, fertilizer, and even worms. At the beginning of each garden year, add approximately two to three inches of nutrient rich top soil to your plot. Mix in compost, manure, and/or fertilizer. Depending on your soil additives, you may need to test soil pH for plant tolerance.

When adding manure, avoid using horse, dog or cat scat as it is not a healthy choice; chicken, rabbit and cow are better selections. Manure and compost are readily available at your local garden center or hardware store; however, many farmers make manure available to local gardeners and cities my offer free or low-cost compost and mulch to their citizens. One of my favorite soil additives comes from Starbucks; each week the company recycles their espresso grounds to be used in gardens for no cost.

Tip #3: Have Your Children Help Plant Your Garden

Once your soil is prepped, your seedlings are ready for transplanting and your design is laid out, the real work begins. It is always helpful to have extra hands for planting. With steady guidance, children make great gardeners and become tremendous help throughout the life of your garden. (As a side note, if you have children interested in learning more about gardens contact your local Junior Master Gardener club.)

Tip #4: Use the Correct Tools

Using the correct tools will aide in making garden work easier. Gloves, spades, bulb planters, shovels, hoes, rakes, and more lesson the task at hand. Visit a local garden or garden supply store and ask staff which equipment they swear by and which they would never use again.  Internet reviews can also be helpful when selecting garden tools to fit your needs.

Gardening is a lifelong pursuit and cultivation of beauty and nature. It is a process which includes learning from mistakes, asking for help and enjoying the richness of the outdoors. Anyone can become a gardener and add a touch of splendor to the earth.

Do you have a green thumb?