Do you want to design your own backyard garden? Start with these tips and the right materials today.
- Identify what you actually want. Putting in a lot of different plants can be confusing and may end up looking more like a weed patch than anything else.
- Determine what will work best with your space and home. Get inspiration from pictures, but don’t be afraid to experiment!
- Find out what plants are best for your climate zone, soil conditions, animals that live around you (e.g., deer), and other environmental factors such as pollution levels in the air or chemical pesticides or herbicides that have been used on nearby properties.
- Pay attention to the pH level of your soil and do everything you can to keep it balanced. (pH level: the potential of water, a measure of its acidity or alkalinity.)
- When buying plants, use local nurseries that take pride in their products. Plants from well-established companies are likely to have a lot of varieties and have been carefully selected for their hardiness and taste. At the same time, if you can’t find any local nurseries, consider asking your neighbors for plant recommendations.
- Choose plants by color, texture, shape, form or name. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations of plants. You’ll develop your own style over time!
Directions: You need a shovel, manure, and an iron rake to do this job properly. Dig out the plot you have chosen for your new garden patch and make sure the plot is 2ft larger all around than what you want it to be when you are finished digging. Set up a small area with posts to mark the edge of your plot. Drive stakes into the ground, using 2 stakes on each side and 3 on the corners at each angle.
With the posts in place, you can use your information from above to design your garden. Decide what plants you want in each section and mark them out. Make adjustments and dig out sections as needed until your garden looks just how you like it. If you have tall plants that will grow over 3 ft tall, make sure the stakes are around 4 feet tall to keep them contained and out of reach of children or animals who might try to eat them or climb on them.
Using your iron rake, carefully remove the topsoil from the plot and put it in a wheelbarrow. Sprinkle some manure over the spot where you want to plant each plant. Dig holes for each plant with your shovel and then use your rake to fill in the hole and make sure that soil is packed down around it. Put the plants into the hole, using a handful of soil so that they aren’t standing in water. For plants that need more space or air circulation, use stakes to prop up each plant before adding any more soil over them. When you are done planting, rake the ground smooth and add a little more soil to cover any exposed dirt.
Tips: Use cloches to protect young plants from frost or wind that can stunt their growth. You can buy them at most garden stores or simply make your own from plastic bags. Small seeds can be started indoors in 3 inch pots, 4 or 5 weeks before your last expected frost date for your area.
Be sure to check each plant for insects as well as powdery mildew and other signs of disease at least once every few days so that you can treat it before it spreads and causes problems. Keep a journal of the plants you grow so that you know what worked well and what didn’t.
Bottom line
Designing your own garden is a great way to have fun, be creative and get some hands-on experience. Even if you’re not starting from scratch, it’s never too late to start planning. Follow the directions above and practice them before you make an actual garden. When you are done, grab your rake and shovel and have a good time!