Do you love the taste of garden fresh vegetables, but aren’t sure how to get your own garden started? Well, we’ve gathered a few tips to help you get on your way.
Choose your site
Pick an area that receives more than 6 hours of sunlight a day and be sure you have a garden hose that reaches it. It’s wise to start small but choose an area where you can grow your garden in size, as your confidence grows as well. You may need to observe the area for a few days, at different times of day; to be sure it receives enough sunlight.
In-Ground or Raised Bed
Does your designated area drain well? When it rains, does it dry up within a few hours? Are there tree roots in the way? Is there any possibility that the soil could be contaminated by anything? A raised bed may be the way to go if your drainage is poor or there are other obstacles in the way. Raised beds are a little extra work in the beginning but they cut back on weeding and other labor further down the road.
Test Your Soil
Your county extension can recommend reputable places to send a soil test to. The results will let you know if your soil is lacking any nutrients.
Work in Amendments
Add organic material (composted manure, leaf mold, compost, etc.) and fork into your soil to a depth of at least 6 inches.
Figure Out What You’re Going to Grow
Make a list of what you want to grow and try to not go overboard. Although that’s much easier said than done! Look for patio varieties if you're short on space. Pro tip: One zucchini plant is enough to feed a family of 20! Remember that the tallest plants go on the north end so that they don’t block shorter plants from the sun.
Plant in Rows
This allows for easy weeding using a hoe or other weed removal tool.
iScape it!
You can easily plan your garden using the iScape app. Just snap a photo of the space; you can draw in the soil and plants so easily. Or you can use the new Augmented Reality feature to see how it looks in your space. So simple, so easy...iScape it!
