Planning a Garden

When you are ready to plant your summer garden, you need to plan carefully and try to avoid the most common mistakes that most people make. Considering all the time, money and energy you are going to pour into your garden, take the time to plan out your garden properly before you head out to the nursery.
The first thing you need to consider is which plants will be the easiest to grow in your garden conditions.

Consider the type of soil that you have, how much shade or direct sun the garden will receive and what your local growing season will support. The easiest plants to grow will be plants native to your area. Before you plant anything, prepare the soil by adding the nutrients that your soil is lacking. Top soil is generally too dense to support healthy plants. Add peat moss, well composted manure, perlite or vermiculite in a mixture of 2/3 soil and 1/3 additives. Make sure your garden will have a good drainage system, building up the plant beds if necessary.

Research different plants before you head to the nursery. Make sure the plants you intend to grow can survive your sun/shade conditions. Pick out the healthiest plants you can find and do not plant them too close together. Plant them with enough room so that when they are full grown they will not be crowded together. Open up the root ball and do not plant your new plants too deeply into the ground. Finally, water your plants deeply and not daily. Water your plants so that the water will get to the root system where it is needed and not just evaporate in the hot summer sun.