Planning for a Stress-Free Garden

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Are you planting a garden this spring? We love to put our grid pages to use when brainstorming and planning a new space. The open-ended grid pages are perfect for playing with layout and design. Drawing out the garden ahead of time makes planting day a breeze. If you are new to gardening, raised beds or container gardens are a great place to start. Here are some tips for planning your raised bed garden this spring. 

1. THINK ABOUT GARDEN PLACEMENT 

Find a good spot to start your garden. You will want plenty of sunlight and easy access to water. Consider the wildlife in your area. If you have hungry deer and rabbits, you may want to consider adding a cover or chicken wire over the garden. 

2. START WITH A GOOD FOUNDATION 

It begins with nutrient rich soil. Once your garden beds or containers are placed, you’ll want to fill them with soil. We recommend a mix of top soil, compost, vermiculite, and peat moss. This recipe comes from pro raised bed gardener, Mel Bartholomew. This mixture provides a great balance for plants, allowing the soil both to retain moisture and drain properly. It is also nutrient rich and makes for happy, thriving plants. 

3. DIVIDE AND PLANT  

Divide your containers into equal 1 foot squares and begin planting. Following your plans, place your plants accordingly. Consider the size your mature plants will reach and try to avoid overcrowding. Larger plants like tomatoes and cucumbers will need plenty of space, 1 per 1 square foot. Medium sized plants such as basil and lettuce will allow for 4 plants per 1 square foot. Smaller plants like radish and carrots can be planted closer together, 16-32 seeds per 1 square foot. 

4. CONSIDER COMPANION PLANTING  

Companion planting is the practice of pairing different plants together. There are a few combinations which will help your plants thrive, deter pests, and increase the nutrients in the soil. Tomatoes and basil grow nicely near each other. Flowers like marigolds and nasturtiums are great near cucumbers and will keep aphids and beetles away. Onions and carrots work well together, as do mint and lettuce. 

5. OBSERVE, TAKE NOTES  

As the season continues, take notes and photos along the way to track successes and failures. Record the weather and conditions each month. Stay on top of harvesting and weeding throughout the season. One of the benefits of raised bed gardening is a reduction in weeds. Because the plants grow closely together, there is less room for weeds and rogue plants to take over. Don’t forget to save your final garden layout and notes to help you plan for the next season. 

6. EXPERIMENT AND HAVE FUN!

Find what works best for you. You will find the gardening methods that work best for your family. There is so much excitement and pride in the first harvest of the season. Enjoying the vegetables and fruits you have grown is the ultimate connection to the earth. There will be failures and challenges along the way, but there will also be ripe fruit in the thick of summer, eaten straight off the vine. 

Helpful Gardening Links

Tips for Beginners 

Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Square Foot Gardening


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