Who doesn’t love a home garden? Even if a professional does the work, seeing tiny seeds grow into beautiful trees and flowers is rewarding. Gardens add unique glam to your home. Not only are they refreshing, but they also help keep the environment clean. Planning a home garden is a treasured experience; that you must try once in your lifetime.
However, starting out in gardening, you’ll need some help. This post is all about how to plan a garden from scratch. Topped with some additional tips, it will help you plan your dream garden in your first blooming season!
Pick A Spot
How to plan a garden when you have to adjust a swimming pool or an outdoor kitchen with it? The first thing is to decide on a suitable location for your garden. When picking a spot, ensure that water and sunlight are easily accessible.
Cornered or fence-shadowing spots are not suitable. Although you may think they’ll work great and save space as well. But the reality is quite the opposite.
Firstly, you’ll need more budget for installing the water pipelines. Planting saplings too close to the fence will hinder their future growth, as full-sized trees require more space. Furthermore, the sogginess from the garden’s soil may also loosen the base of the fence over time.
Pen It Down
Thinking things through is the key to planning a home garden fittingly. Spend time working on an imaginary map while observing your yard. When you get a workable design, pen it down on paper.
Most garden owners want their gardens to be visible from the house. For that, you can also consider the visibility angles through different windows of the house.
Draw a comprehensive map and mark out the necessary factors, so you don’t miss anything. Highlight the places with good sunlight and soil. Also, since all gardens require watering, you’ll need to consider drainage.
Ensure that the ground elevation draws the water away from the house and not towards it. Decide on the watering spots. Where do you want to install the sprinklers? Are they close to the main water outlet or not?
Decide On the Plants You Want
Choosing plants and flowers for your garden may seem like a hassle. However, it is exciting if you know the right way.
The ideal practice is taking your notebook and walking in the neighborhood. List down the things you like. Take note of everything from flowers to vegetables to fruits and shrubs. Try asking the garden owners about the growth requirements of the plants you like. This way, you will get an idea of whether your design is suitable for your favorite plants or not.
Nurseries are a great way to collect information. Visit the nurseries in your area and ask about the native plantation. Native plants are easier to grow as they are well-adapted to the climate and usually require less watering. Furthermore, you can also consult gardening books or mobile applications to learn more about how to plan a garden in your area.
Purchase Garden Essentials
Once you have decided on a spot, set up a map, and the garden theme, it’s time for shopping. You’ll need plants, equipment, and other supplies. Consult online and physical gardening stores and see how much budget you need to implement your plans.
If you are a beginner in planning a home garden, it is best to start small. Try purchasing a small number of plants from the list you made. You’ll also need pots, watering equipment, spades, etc. Make a checklist and gather everything. If you have a limited budget, buy the essentials in batches. However, buy plants and fertilizers in the end, so they don’t dry out.
Preparing The Soil
Once you have the equipment, it is time to prep your garden’s soil. Soil nourishes plants, so you must keep it in good shape.
Crusty and rocky soil is unsuitable for germination. Prepare the ground by using a starter fertilizer once the planting season begins. Plowing is beneficial. However, sometimes it’s necessary. Stiffer grounds are not nurturing enough and can also falter the growth of a blooming plant.
Next, you need to work on your soil’s tilth. The ground must have good drainage and water-holding capacity. You can invite some of the garden owners from the neighborhood to help you in the process. Using organic matter is a great way to stabilize your soil’s tilth.
Planting
Planning a home garden is not only about planning but also about doing. Once you have prepared the soil and brought the supplies, it’s time to get your hands dirty.
The ideal practice is to plant taller plants at the back of the garden. This way, they won’t shade out the other plants.
Leave a considerable space around the plant, so its roots grow without hindrance. Plant the sun-requiring plants in areas with more sunlight. You can also use planting pots for smaller plants as they are easier to handle and move.
Flowery plants usually require less sunlight, so it is best to place them in areas with balanced sunshine and shade. However, the requirements vary depending on the species of the plant.
Making Borders
Gardens without borders don’t give a neat look. If you don’t like concrete-bricked borders, it is okay. You can also use flower beds to mark the borders of your garden.
Usually, gardeners prefer to place bright flowers or shrubs on the borders. Hedgy borders look impressive as well. You can plant small hedges consecutively and trim them into your desired shape once they grow to a considerable volume.
Tips For Planning a Home Garden:
Here are some more tips to help you plan a more attractive garden.
- Contemplate the use of your garden, whether you want a sitting area, a party-hosting place, or somewhere to grow and study plants.
- Determine the possible users. If you have children in your home, you’ll need to consider their curiosity when planning the garden. Make walking paths between the plants so everyone with a curious mind can walk easily without damaging the seeds or smaller saplings.
- Think about shelters. Green sheets are the best if you live in a hot area and want to plant some delicate plants. Adjust the sheets on the specific plants, so the sunlight doesn’t damage them.
The Bottom Line
Planning a home garden is more fun than a hassle if you know what you want to do. If you have prior experience, replanting a garden won’t be hard. However, you’ll need some extra tips and tricks if you are a total beginner. Here is an illustration of all the essentials for planning a perfect garden.
Gardens add liveness to your home. They are a great source of tranquility. Moreover, you can use them to fulfill your groceries needs as well. If done rightly, your home garden can also become your business buddy!
