Using a Garden Plan to Organize Your Yard
A garden plan will help you organize and visualize the plans you have for your backyard. Whether you use a paper and pencil or a computer program such as EdrawMax this step will help you ensure that your garden is exactly what you envision.
Most vegetables grow best in a sunny area near water for irrigation. Many gardeners agree that planting rows north/south is best to prevent taller plants from shading smaller ones.
Sun and Shade
When you plant your garden, it's crucial to consider how much shade or sun the area gets. If you plant a flower that thrives in shade in a sunny area, it may not develop well and flower. On the other hand, a shade-loving flower that is planted in too much sun will get burned and die.
The cardinal directions as well as the position of large structures and trees can impact the amount of sun each area of your lawn receives. One way to gauge the amount of light in your yard is to draw an sun map. Keep an eye on the area for an hour or so per day. Be sure to take into account shadows created by tall plants and structures. Over the course of several days take note of when each spot receives direct sunlight and for how long.
Consider climbing a tree if you're struggling to get full shade. This will help to increase the lightness of the canopy. This allows more sunlight to be able to reach the lower branches, which makes shady areas appear healthier. Try using garden plant to grow flowers, herbs and grasses in shady spots; annuals that are grown directly in the ground will have a harder time growing and will not flower as beautifully as those planted in containers. The Old Farmer's Almanac Garden Planner makes it easy to select plants suitable for shaded areas. Select the 'Partial Shade Tolerant filter to view all the possibilities.
Water
This plan relies on plants that can withstand with minimal irrigation to keep water usage in the garden under control. Nature has equipped drought-tolerant varieties with specific features that ensure their survival, such as lush succulent leaves that soak in moisture, and a slight fuzzy that hangs on to the morning dew. Begin by pencilling the plants and shrubs. Planting larger plants first is ideal since they require more space. Wait to add border decorations like mulch or stepping stone until the garden is completed. These items add up quickly and are often expensive to install.
Compost
Composting your garden will enhance the soil's health by increasing its nutrient content and moisture content. Compost introduces soil microbes which fight off pathogens, prevent diseases and decrease the need for chemical fertilizers. Compost is produced by the decomposition of organic material - including pet waste, plant clippings and viable food scraps into a rich humus that acts as a natural plant fertilizer.
It is more beneficial to start your compost pile on level ground than in the form of a bin. This allows beneficial worms and organisms to enter the pile. Put a few inches of straw or twigs over the ground to help aerate the compost and slow its breakdown. The ideal place for the pile is to be situated in shade, and in an area with a drainage system that is good. Avoid placing a compost pile in a dry or shady area that could attract rodents.
Aim for a ratio between two to three parts of carbon-rich (browns), and one part of nitrogen-rich (greens). Alternate layers of green and brown ingredients. Avoid adding large quantities of any type of ingredient, like dumping all of your fall leaves in all at once, since this limits air flow and may cause the pile to become too hot.
A variation on traditional compost piles is to dig a trench that will hold the compost and cover it with garden soil. This is often used for vegetables such as climbing beans that grow in rows. The rich, nutrient-rich and moisture-retentive compost assists in feeding the plants and encourages vigorous growth and bumper yields.
Fertilizer
Plants make their own food through photosynthesis, but this process takes time. Manmade fertilizer steps in to provide nutrients when natural plant food is unavailable or depleted. Most commercial fertilizers are composed of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Some commercial fertilizers also contain other elements that are beneficial, but in smaller quantities. These include calcium and magnesium.
Both natural and artificial fertilizers are available, but you should look over the labels to figure the best one for your garden. Some fertilizers contain chemicals that could have a negative impact on the environment. These must be used in conjunction to avoid negative adverse effects.
Before purchasing transplants or seeds, take some time to prioritize the crops that are most appealing to you and how much of your land you can commit to a garden. Find your zone of hardiness and think about what kinds of vegetables thrive in that region. Plan to rotate your crops to increase soil fertility and yield.
Making a garden plan helps you decide where beds and borders will go and also determining the size and location of garden structures and pathways. Making these additions before you start planting can help prevent confusion as you work and save you time. Additionally, it allows you to sketch out on the scale plan what types of softscape and hardscape features you would like to incorporate into your garden. You could, for example create a seating area or shaded pergola within your garden. You can also add paving or gravel paths to connect your vegetable plants.
Pests and Diseases
While most gardeners enjoy the rewarding experience of gardening, there is the risk that pests and diseases can impact a planting. Many pest and disease problems can be avoided with simple methods.
Start with a healthy, well-groomed soil. The more nutrient-rich it is the better your plants will be able to withstand the damage caused by fungi, viruses and bacterial. Include regular fertilization with organic matter, such as compost to encourage thriving populations of microbes as well as other organisms that help promote plant health.
Develop a variety of plants that attract beneficial insects. These insects feed on pests that could otherwise eat or pollute your plants. By attracting these natural predators, it is possible to reduce the amount of pesticides you use and stop Aphids from damaging your plants.
Always check your plants for indications of diseases or pests. Be on the lookout for wilted or discolored leaves, stems, and flowers. These are often the first signs that there is something wrong with the plant and must be addressed as soon as you can to stop an outbreak.
Determine the type of insect or disease is causing the problem and take appropriate action. If garden plant are covered in brown spots, search for indications of verticillium or nematodes. These diseases can be transmitted through pests. They can kill quickly the crop.
Tools
A garden plan can help you organize many aspects of your gardening, from the type of plant to plant next to the border to the ideal times for harvesting. You can also keep track of important chores like the watering, pest control and fertilizer application. On the internet, you will discover a myriad of free garden planning programs. They are great for novice gardeners who have little experience or for anyone looking to make the most of their garden space.
vegetable gardens of these garden plans come with pre-designed templates that can give you a starting point for your design, while others let you begin from scratch. The majority of them allow you to zoom in and out and move around the drawing to make it exactly as you want it. You can also design fences, sprinkler systems, walls and plants.
This browser-based program by Anglian Home began as a cheat sheet for vegetable growers and has since evolved into an interactive online tool that can be used to plan any type of garden. It will guide you in choosing the right plants and vegetables that thrive in your climate and give you top tips on how to plant and harvest your garden successfully. It will also analyse weather conditions in your region to provide you with the most optimal timings for planting and harvesting.
This garden planner is geared towards trees and flowers rather than vegetables, but still worth a look. This garden planner uses 3D rendering to give you a bird's view of your backyard.