Using a Garden Plan to Organize Your Yard
A garden plan can be a way to organize and visualize your plans for your yard. It doesn't matter if you use pencil and paper or a software program like EdrawMax, this step will help you make sure that your garden is what you imagine it to be.
Most vegetables grow best in a sunny location that is close to water for irrigation. Many gardeners agree that planting rows north/south is best to avoid taller plants shading shorter ones.
Sun and Shade
It's important to consider the amount of sun or shade that each spot receives when you plan your garden. If you plant a plant that thrives in shade of a sun-filled area, it won't grow well and bloom. A shade-loving flower that is planted too close to the sun's rays will eventually burn and die.
starting a garden , along with the location of large trees and buildings, can affect how much sunlight each section of your yard receives. A good way to determine the levels of light in your yard is to make a sun map. Take note of this area for an hour or two a day. Be sure to take into account shadows cast by tall plants and structures. Then over a few days, write down what duration each area gets direct sunlight and the length of time it lasts.
If you're struggling to get full shade, you might consider climbing a tree to help increase the light in the canopy. This allows more sunlight to penetrate the lower branches, and makes shaded areas appear healthier. Containers are also a great option to grow grasses, herbs, and flowers in shady areas. Annuals that are planted directly in the soil will not flower as well as ones in containers. The Old Farmer's Almanac Garden Planner makes it simple to choose plants that are suitable for shaded areas. Simply click the "Partial Shade Tolerant' filter in the selection bar to see the options.
Water
This strategy is based on plants that can survive with little irrigation to keep the water consumption in the garden under control. Nature has equipped drought-tolerant plants with specific features that make them more resilient. These include the thick succulent leaves that retain moisture, and a fuzzy coating that holds morning dew. Begin by pencilling the plants and shrubs. Planting larger plants first is the best since they require more space. It's best to hold off on adding any border ornaments, such as the mulch or stepping stones until the garden is nearly completed. These elements can add up quickly and are often costly to put in.
Compost
Incorporating compost into your garden improves the soil's quality increasing its nutrient content and moisture-holding capacity. Compost introduces soil microbes which fight off pathogens, prevent diseases and decrease the need for chemical fertilisers. Compost is created by decomposing organic materials, like pet waste, plant trimmings, and viable food scraps. This results in an abundant humus that can be used to fertilize plants.
It is better to start your compost pile on level ground rather than in a bin. This lets worms and other beneficial organisms to get into the pile. Place a few inches of straw or twigs over the ground to help aerate the compost and speed up its breakdown. The pile should be put in a shaded area and a place with adequate drainage. Do not place a compost pile in a dry or shady area that may attract rodents.
Try to achieve an amount of two to three parts carbon-rich materials (browns) to one part nitrogen-rich substances (greens). Alternate layers of green and brown ingredients. Avoid adding large amounts of a single type of ingredient such as all of your leaves at once. This can impede air flow and cause the heap of ingredients to overheat.
A variation of traditional compost piles is to dig a trench to hold the compost and cover it with garden soil. This is typically used for vegetables such as climbing beans which grow in rows. The nutrient-rich, moisture-retentive compost feeds plants and encourages robust growth and bumper crops.
Fertilizer
Plants produce their own food by photosynthesis, but that process takes time. If the natural plant food source is in short supply or depleted man-made fertilizers can be used to supplement nutrients. Most commercial fertilizers are made up of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Some commercial fertilizers contain other elements that are beneficial however in smaller amounts. These include magnesium and calcium.
Both artificial and natural fertilizers are available, but you should be sure to read the labels to find the best one for your garden. Certain fertilizers contain chemical compounds that can have an adverse impact on the environment. These must be used in conjunction to avoid unwanted consequences.
Before you buy transplants or seeds, take some time to prioritize the crops that are most appealing to you and how much area you can devote to the garden. Determine your zone of hardiness and then consider which vegetables thrive in that zone. Plan to rotate your crops to improve soil fertility and crop yield.
A garden plan helps you decide where borders and beds will be and also determining the size and location of garden structures and pathways. Adding these features before you start planting can aid in avoiding confusion as you work and can save you time. It can also give you the opportunity to mark out on your scale plan which features of softscape and hardscape you would like to have in your backyard. For instance, you could incorporate some clever pergola ideas to create shade or a seating space in the sun and some paving or gravel paths between your vegetables.
Pests and Diseases
While many gardeners appreciate the satisfaction of gardening, there is always the chance that pests and diseases can be a threat to a garden. There are a variety of easy strategies can prevent many pest and disease problems before they are able to spread.
Start with a healthy soil. The more nutrient-rich it is, the better your plants will be able to withstand damage from viruses, fungi and bacteria. Include regular additions of organic matter like compost to promote the growth of the microbes and other organisms that help promote healthy plants.
Plant a variety of crops that attract beneficial insects. These insects feed on pests that could otherwise devour or pollinate your plants. By attracting these natural predators, it is possible to reduce the amount of pesticides that you use and stop the aphids from ruining your crops.
Check your plants regularly for indications of diseases or pests. Be on the lookout for wilted or discolored stems, leaves, or flowers. These are often the first indications that there is something wrong with a plant and should be treated as soon as you can to avoid an outbreak.
Identify the kind of disease or pest that is causing the issue and then take the necessary steps to fix it. If your tomato plants show brown spots, search for signs of nematodes or verticillium. These diseases can be spread through pests. They can kill quickly the tomato crop.
Tools
A garden plan will help you plan your garden from the type of plants you want to plant in the border to the best times to harvest. You will also be aware of essential chores such as irrigation, pest control, and fertilizer application. Online, you can discover a myriad of free garden planning programs. These are ideal for beginners who aren't experienced or for anyone looking to make the most of their garden space.
Some of these plans come with pre-made templates to assist you in your first steps While others allow you to start from scratch. Many allow you to zoom in and out, and move around the drawing to create it exactly how you'd like it to be. You can also create fences, sprinkler systems, walls and plants.
This web-based tool by Anglian Home was originally designed as a guide for vegetable farmers, but has evolved into a powerful interactive online tool which can be used to design any type of garden. It will assist you in selecting plants and vegetables that will thrive in your climate. It will also give you top suggestions on how to plant and harvest effectively. It will also look at the conditions in your area to help you choose the most suitable planting and harvesting dates.
This garden planner is geared more toward flowers and trees than vegetables, but it's worth checking out. As opposed to other garden-planning software, this one employs 3D rendering and gives you a birds-eye view of your garden.