Five Things You’ve Never Learned About Garden Plan

Using a Garden Plan to Organize Your Yard

A garden plan is a way to organize and visualize your plans for your yard. It doesn’t matter if you use paper and pencil or a computer program such as EdrawMax This step will help you ensure that your garden is what you envision.

Most vegetables thrive in a sunny location that is near water sources for irrigation. Many gardeners agree that planting rows that are north/south is the best option to avoid taller plants shading shorter plants.

Sun and Shade

When you plant your garden, you need to consider how much shade or sun each spot receives. If you plant a sun-loving plant in a shaded area it won’t grow and might not bloom as well. A shade-loving flower gardening placed too close to sun will eventually scorch and die.

The cardinal directions and the position of large trees and structures can influence the amount of sunlight each section of your lawn gets. One way to gauge the amount of light in your yard is to draw a sun map. Keep an eye on the area for an hour or two a day. Be sure to consider shadows caused by tall structures and tall plants. Then over the course of several days, write down what time each area receives direct sunlight and how long it stays.

If you’re struggling with full shade, you might consider climbing trees to reduce the shade. This allows more sunlight to penetrate the lower branches, making shady areas appear healthier. Or, try using containers to plant flowers, herbs and grasses in shady areas. Annuals that are grown directly in the ground will have a tougher time growing and won’t flower as beautifully as those that are planted in containers. The Old Farmer’s Almanac garden at home planner allows you to select plants that can thrive in shady areas. Simply click the ‘Partial Shade Tolerant’ filter on the selection bar to view the options.

Water

This strategy is based on plants that can withstand with only minimal irrigation to keep the amount of water used in the garden under control. Nature has provided drought-tolerant plants with specific features that make them more resilient. They include the thick succulent leaves that retain moisture as well as a fuzzy layer that holds morning dew. Begin by drawing in the perennials and shrubs. Larger plants require more space than others, so they’re best planted first. Don’t add border decorations like stepping stones or mulch until the garden is completed. These elements can accumulate quickly, and they’re often expensive to install.

Compost

Composting your garden will enhance the soil’s quality by increasing its nutrient content and moisture content. It also introduces soil microbes that fight pathogens and reduce diseases, reducing the necessity for chemical fertilizers. Compost is produced by the decomposition of organic materials, such as pet waste, plant trimmings, and viable food scraps. This results in an abundant humus that can be used to fertilize plants.

It is more beneficial to start your compost pile on the ground instead of in a bin. This allows worms and other beneficial organisms to get into the pile. On top of the soil put straw or a few inches to aid in aeration and slow the breakdown of the compost. Ideally, the pile should be shaded and in an area with good drainage. Avoid placing a compost heap close to a dry or shaded area that could attract rodents.

Try to achieve an amount of two to three parts carbon-rich materials (browns) to one part nitrogen-rich materials (greens). Alternate layers with the green and brown ingredients. Avoid adding large quantities of any single kind of ingredient, like throwing all your fall leaves at the same time, as this can restrict airflow and could cause the pile to overheat.

A variation on traditional compost piles is to dig a trench that can hold the compost and cover it with garden soil. This method is used to grow vegetables like climbing beans in rows. The nutrient-rich, moisture-retentive compost feeds the plants and encourages a vigorous growth and bumper crops.

Fertilizer

Photosynthesis is a process by which plants make their own food. However, it takes time. Man-made fertilizers supply nutrients when natural plant food sources are not available or depleted. Most commercial fertilizers are made up of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. There are other elements that are beneficial in smaller quantities such as magnesium and calcium.

Fertilizers are available in both synthetic and natural products however it is important to study the labels to determine the best one for your garden and the soil type. Certain fertilizers may contain insecticides or weed chemicals that can have an impact on the environment, but these should be used separately from the fertilizer to avoid negative impacts.

Before purchasing transplants or seeds, take some time to prioritize the crops that are most appealing to you and how much land you can commit to the garden. Find your zone of hardiness and consider what vegetables thrive in that region. Plan to rotate your crops to improve soil fertility and crop yield.

Creating a garden plan also aids in deciding where the beds and borders will go and also determining the size and location of pathways and garden buildings. This will aid in avoiding confusion and also save time. Additionally it gives you a chance to mark on the scale plan what types of softscape and hardscape features you want in your garden. You could, for example create a seating area or shaded pergola in your garden. You could also add pathways made of gravel or paving stones to connect your garden plants.

Pests and Diseases

Pests and diseases can affect a plant, even if beginner gardeners generally enjoy it. Many diseases and pests can be avoided with simple strategies.

Start with a healthy soil. The more nutrient rich your soil is, the better your plants will be able to resist damage by fungi, virus and bacteria. Add organic matter, like compost regularly to your soil to encourage the growth of microbes and organisms that are beneficial for plant health.

Plant a variety of plants that attract beneficial insects. These helpers consume pests that would otherwise devour or pollinate your plants. By attracting these natural predators, you will be able to reduce the amount of pesticides that you use and stop Aphids from damaging your plants.

Inspect your plants regularly for signs of pests or disease infestations. Check for wilted or damaged stems, leaves, or flowers. These are often the first indications that there is something wrong with the plant and should be addressed as soon as you can to prevent an outbreak.

Determine the type of disease or pest that is causing the issue and take steps to fix it. If your tomato plants have brown spots, look for indications of verticillium or nematodes. These diseases are spread through pests. They can quickly kill the crop.

Tools

A garden plan can help you manage many aspects of your gardening tips, from the type of plants to plant next on the border to the ideal time to harvest. It can also help you stay on top of essential tasks such as irrigation, fertilizer application and the control of pests. A number of free garden planning software are available on the internet. They are great for novice gardeners who aren’t experienced or anyone looking to get the most value of their garden space.

Some of these plans come with pre-made templates to help you get started, while others allow you to start from scratch. Most of these garden plans let you zoom in or out and move the drawing to make it exactly what you’d like. You can also include boundaries like fences or walls, design sprinkler systems, and even place plants, garden plan trees and bushes.

This browser-based tool from Anglian Home was originally designed as a guide for vegetable gardeners but has transformed into a highly interactive online tool which can be used to design any kind of garden. It will assist you in selecting the best plants and vegetables that thrive in your climate. It will also offer the best 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 more focused on trees and flowers rather than vegetables, but still worth a look. This garden planner uses 3D rendering to give you a birds’ eye view of your yard.