Using a Garden Plan to Organize Your Yard

A garden plan is a method to organize and visualize your ideas for your yard. Whether you use a paper and pencil or a computer program such as EdrawMax this step will help you ensure that your new garden (Learn Additional Here) is exactly what you imagine it to be.

The majority of vegetables thrive in a sunny spot that is near to water for irrigation. Many gardeners agree that it is ideal to plant rows north/south to avoid taller plants shading shorter ones.

Sun and Shade

When you plant your garden, it's crucial to consider the amount of shade or sunlight each spot receives. If you plant a plant that thrives in shade of a sun-filled zone, it might not flourish and bloom. A shade-loving flower placed too close to the sun's rays will eventually burn and New Garden die.

The cardinal directions, as well as the position of buildings and large trees can affect the amount of sunlight each area of your yard gets. Making an sun map is an effective method to determine the amount of sunlight your yard gets. Take note of this area for an hour or so a day. Make sure to consider shadows created by tall structures and plants. Then over the course of a few days, write down what time each area receives direct sunlight and how long it lasts.

Consider climbing a tree if you are struggling with full shade. This can help increase the lightness of the canopy. This process allows more sunlight to reach the lower branches, and makes shaded areas look healthier. Containers are also a great option to grow herbs, grasses and flowers in shady areas. The annuals that are planted directly in the soil won't bloom as well as those in containers. The Old Farmer's Almanac Garden Planner makes it easy to choose plants that can thrive for shaded areas. Simply click the "Partial Shade Tolerant' filter in the selection bar to see the options.

Water

This strategy is based on plants that are able to withstand with little irrigation to keep water usage within the garden in check. Nature has equipped drought-tolerant plants with features that make them more resilient. These include the thick succulent leaves that hold moisture and a slight fuzzy coating that holds morning dew. Start by penciling the plants and shrubs. Larger plants require more space than other plants and are therefore best planted first. It's best to hold off when adding border decorations, such as mulch or stepping stones, until the garden is nearly complete. These elements can add up quickly and are often costly to install.

Compost

Incorporating compost into the garden improves soil quality, boosting its nutrient content as well as its moisture-holding capacity. Compost is a source of soil microbes that fight off pathogens, prevent diseases and reduce the need for chemical fertilisers. Compost is produced by the decomposition of organic matter - such as pet waste, plant clippings and viable food scraps into a humus rich in nutrients that functions as a natural plant fertilizer.

It is best to begin your compost pile on the ground instead of in the form of a bin. This will allow beneficial worms and organisms to be able to get into the pile. On top of the soil you can place a few inches of straw to aid in aeration and slow the breakdown of the compost. The pile should be placed in a shaded area and in an area with adequate drainage. Avoid placing the compost pile in a dry or shaded area that could attract rodents and other insects.

Try to achieve a ratio of two to three parts of carbon-rich (browns) and one part of nitrogen-rich (greens). Alternate layers of brown and green ingredients. Avoid adding large quantities of one kind of ingredient, such as all of your leaves at once. This can impede air circulation and cause the stack of ingredients to get too hot.

Digging a trench in order to hold the ingredients and then covering it with garden soil is a variation on the traditional compost pile. This method is used to cultivate vegetables such as climbing beans in rows. The nutrient-rich, moisture-retentive compost feeds the plants and promotes vigorous growth and bumper crops.

Fertilizer

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants create their own food, however it takes time. Man-made fertilizers are used to provide nutrients when natural plant food sources are unavailable or depleted. The majority of commercial fertilizers are made up of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Some commercial fertilizers contain other elements that are beneficial, but in smaller quantities. These include calcium and magnesium.

Both natural and artificial fertilizers are readily available, but you must be sure to read the labels to find out which is the best for your garden. Certain fertilizers contain chemicals which can have a negative effect on the environment. They must be used in conjunction to avoid any negative adverse effects.

Take some time before buying seeds or plants to determine which crops you are most interested in and how much area you have to dedicate to gardening. Determine your hardiness zone and consider what vegetables thrive in that zone. Plan to rotate your crops to improve soil fertility and crop yield.

Making a garden ideas plan aids in deciding where the beds and borders will go as well as determining the size and location of garden structures and pathways. This will aid in avoiding confusion and save time. It also gives you the chance to clearly mark on your scale plan which features of softscape and hardscape you would like to have in your backyard. You could, for example, create a seating area or shaded pergola within your garden. You can also include gravel paths or paving to connect your garden plants.

Pests and Diseases

While many gardeners enjoy the satisfaction of gardening, there is the risk that pests and diseases may be a threat to a garden. Many of the problems with pests and diseases can be avoided with simple methods.

Start with an agro-soil that is healthy and well-drained. The more nutrient rich your soil is, the better the plants are able to withstand damage caused by fungi, virus and bacteria. Include regular additions of organic matter such as compost to promote the growth of the microbes and other organisms that promote plant health.

Grow a variety crops that will attract beneficial insect. These insects feed on pests that could otherwise devour or pollinate your plants. Inviting these predators to your garden will reduce the amount of pesticide you need to use and also prevent caterpillars and aphids from destroying your vegetables.

Examine your plants on a regular basis for signs of pest or disease-related infestations. Look for distorted leaves, thin growth and discoloration, wilting or wilting stems, leaves, and flowers. These are often the first signs that something is wrong with a plant and must be addressed as soon as you can to avoid an outbreak.

Find out the kind of disease or pest that is causing the issue and take steps to correct it. For example, if your tomato plants suffer from brown spots, examine their roots for signs of nematodes, verticillium or fusarium, all diseases that are spread by pests and could quickly kill your tomato crop.

Tools

A garden plan can help you organize all aspects of your gardening, from the type of plants to plant next on the border to the ideal timings for harvesting. It will aid you in staying on top of important tasks like fertilizer application, watering, and pest control. A number of free garden planning software are available online. They are great for novice gardeners who have little experience or anyone looking to get the most value of their garden flower space.

Some of these plans come with templates that give you a starting point for your design, while others let you begin from scratch. The majority of these plans let you zoom in or out and move the drawing to make it exactly how you'd like. You can also design fences, sprinkler systems, walls and plants.

This web-based tool by Anglian Home was originally designed as a cheatsheet for vegetable farmers, but has evolved into a powerful interactive online tool that can be utilized to design any kind of garden. It will guide you through the process of selecting plants and vegetables that thrive in your climate, and give you top tips for successful planting and harvesting. It will also examine the weather in your area and give you the best dates for planting and harvesting.

This garden planner is geared towards flowers and trees rather than vegetables, but is worth a look. This garden planner makes use of 3D rendering to give you a bird's' eye view of your backyard.