- 1). Survey your yard for a spot that gets at least six hours of sun a day. Even cold-season plants need some sunlight.
- 2). Test the area for good drainage. "Sunset Western Garden Book," edited by Kathleen Norris Brenzel and published in 2001, recommends digging a two-foot-deep hole and filling it with water. Wait until the water drains and fill the hole with water again. If after the second time around, the water disappears in one hour or less, the place you chose has good drainage.
- 3). Reserve a plot no larger than 100 square feet for your garden. Gardening is a high-maintenance project, requiring constant weeding, watering, as well as checking for and controlling pests and diseases. A larger area could easily become overwhelming.
- 4). Choose seeds or plants that have the qualities you're looking for. You may be interested in bushy instead of sprawling tomatoes, for instance. Take the time to read or ask the nursery staff about the available varieties of each plant. In addition, confirm that the cultivar is adapted to your climate, especially if you buy from a national catalog that markets to everyone in the country.
- 5). Collect the tools you'll need. "Purdue Yard & Garden News" states that your essential gardening equipment should include a hoe, rake, spade, sprinkler, string and stakes.
- 6). Take a soil sample to your local cooperative extension office, which is staffed by experts in agricultural practices, both on a large and home production scale. These experts are available to give you practical research-based information to help you become a successful farmer or backyard gardener. The result of your soil test will tell you which nutrients, if any, your planting site lacks. This information will help you figure out what type and how much fertilizer you need for amending your topsoil.
- 7). Prepare your soil when it's dry. Break it up to a depth of six inches and mix it with a three-inch layer of compost and any other fertilizer the soil test revealed your planting bed needs. Rake the area to a smooth surface.
- 8). Dig planting holes. For seeds, make holes two times their diameter or follow the directions in the packets. The smaller the seed, the closer to the surface it should be. For seedlings, make holes as deep as their roots and slightly wider. Each plant will have different spacing requirements. Broccoli, for instance, needs 18 inches from another plant, while carrots will do fine with just one inch of separation.
- 9). Keep your planting bed moist through spring and summer for healthy plant development. Some of your plants may require more or less moisture than the others. Learn what those specific needs are and follow them closely. In general, herbs do well with occasional water after the plants are established and producing continuously, for example. But basil is an exception, requiring regular moisture through the growing season.
- 10
Control weeds by applying mulch to choke them. Pull any weeds that sprout before they can compete with your plants for nutrients. In addition, treat insect infestations and diseases as soon as you notice trouble. Some common garden pests include aphids, weevils and borers. Bacterial and fungal diseases might also affect your garden. Different plants are susceptible to different problems. Your best source for plant help and advice will be your extension office.
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