7 Steps to Design Your Spring Garden

There’s no better time to start gearing up for Spring gardening. Over the next few weeks take these steps to design your garden and get a head start on the season.

1. Know what you like.  Get a gardening magazine. Check out a few books from the library. Identify what you are drawn to and what you want from your garden.  A place to relax? A regular supply of herbs for the kitchen? Low maintenance curb appeal?
2. Choose your scale.  If you’re a new gardener, start with something manageable. Maybe a few pots on your balcony or a single vegetable plot. If you’re a more experienced gardener, choose where you want to focus your attention this year. Prioritize what’s going to be most rewarding for you to get what you want from your garden.
3. Map your space.  It’s so helpful to have a visual as you plan your garden. Grab a pencil and paper and sketch your space.  There are also some great online tools for this.
4. Select your plants. Choose the type of garden you’re after (edible, ornamental or both?), research options for what plants work well in your area (local extension offices are helpful), and pick what you like best.   Be careful to keep your garden manageable. Less is (usually) more. Pick several plants you can learn to grow well, rather than tons of different varieties. In my Spring garden, I'll plant peas from seed, lettuce, greens (arugula is my favorite!), strawberries, violets and pansies.
5. Place your plants. I like to use tracing paper for this step.  Play with where you want your plants to go. Think about their light and needs and how tall they are going to grow. 
6. Make a planting calendar.  Find your spring frost date. If you’re starting your garden from seed, review seed packets and note in your calendar when to sow. If you are transplanting, research when you should plant your transplants and make a calendar. Set aside a few main gardening days in the Spring when you’ll get the majority of your planting done.
7. Ready, Set, Grow!  Invite some friends over on your gardening days or make it a family activity. Play some music. Set out snacks for breaks. Make it a garden party. Gardening doesn’t have to be a chore. Have fun creating your paradise and you will enjoy it so much more.
   

Below, tell me what are you planning to grow this season?
 Sounds like a lot of work? Not everyone wants to plan their garden alone. If you want some help, join me for a workshop on designing your small space garden or work with me one-on-one.