Notes

The Next Big Thing In The Garden Plan Industry
Using a Garden Plan to Organize Your Yard

A garden plan is a method to organize and visualize your plans for your yard. If you are using a paper and pencil or a program like EdrawMax, this step will help you ensure that your garden is exactly what you envision.

Most vegetables thrive in a sunny spot near the water source for irrigation. Many gardeners agree that it is recommended to plant rows that are north and south in order to prevent taller plants from shading shorter ones.

Sun and Shade

When you plant your garden, it's crucial to consider how much sun or shade the area gets. If you plant a sun-loving flower in a shaded area it won't flourish and may not bloom well. A shade-loving flower placed too close to the sun's rays will eventually burn and die.

The cardinal directions and the position of large trees and buildings can influence the amount of sunlight every area of your lawn gets. Making an sun map is an effective method to determine the amount of sunlight your yard gets. Observe the spot for an hour or two a day, taking into consideration shadows cast by structures and tall plants. Then, over the course of a few days, write down what duration each area gets direct sunlight and how long it stays.

Consider the possibility of limbing a tree when you are struggling with full shade. This will help to lighten the canopy. This lets more sunlight reach the lower branches, making shaded areas appear healthier. Containers are also a great option to plant herbs, grasses and flowers in shady areas. Annuals that are planted directly in the soil will not flower as well as ones in containers. The Old Farmer's Almanac Garden Planner makes it simple to select crops that are suitable for shady areas. Select the 'Partial Shade-Tolerant' filter to see all the options.

Water

This plan is based on plants that can withstand with minimal irrigation to keep the amount of water used in the garden under control. Nature has provided drought-tolerant plants with special characteristics that allow them to survive. They have thick succulent leaves which retain moisture, and a fuzzy coating that holds morning dew. Begin by penciling in shrubs and perennials. Planting larger plants first is best because they need more space. It's a good idea to wait on adding any border ornaments like the mulch or stepping stones until the garden is nearly completed. These elements can accumulate quickly, and they are often expensive to install.

Compost

Composting your garden can improve the soil's quality by increasing its nutrient content and moisture content. Compost is a source of soil microbes that suppress pathogens, reduce diseases, and reduce the need for chemical fertilisers. Compost is produced by the decomposition of organic matter, such as pet waste, plant trimmings and viable food scraps. This results in a rich humus which can be utilized to fertilize plants.

The best place to start your compost pile is on bare earth, rather than in a bin. This will allow beneficial worms and organisms to be able to get into the pile. On top of the soil, place straw or a few inches to aid in aeration and slow the breakdown of the compost. Ideally, the pile should be in partial shade and located 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.

You should aim for an amount of two to three parts carbon-rich substances (browns) to one part nitrogen-rich substances (greens). Alternate layers with the green and brown ingredients. Avoid adding large amounts of one kind of ingredient, such as all of your leaves at once. This could impede air flow and cause the pile of ingredients to overheat.

A variation to traditional compost piles is to dig a trench that can 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 huge yields.

Fertilizer

Plants make their own food through photosynthesis, however this process takes time. Man-made fertilizers are used to supply nutrients when the natural plant food is unavailable or depleted. The majority of commercial fertilizers have nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. There are other elements that are beneficial in smaller quantities such as magnesium and calcium.

Fertilizers can be found as artificial and natural, but it's important to study the labels to determine the most suitable one for your soil and garden. Certain fertilizers contain chemical compounds that can have an adverse impact on the environment. These should be used separately to avoid negative adverse effects.


Before you buy seeds or transplants, spend time to determine what crops you are interested in and how much of your land you can commit to gardening. Find your zone of hardiness and consider what vegetables thrive in that region. Plan to rotate your crops in order to increase the fertility of the soil and crop production.

Making a garden plan helps you decide where borders and beds should be as well as determining the number and placement of pathways and garden buildings. Adding these features before you begin planting can help prevent confusion as you work and help you save time. Additionally it gives you a chance to sketch out on the scale the types of hardscape and softscape elements you'd like to include in your garden. For instance, you could include some creative pergola ideas to create shade or a seating space in the sun. You could also add pathways that are paved or gravel between your vegetables.

Pests and Diseases

While most gardeners enjoy the rewarding experience of gardening, there is the possibility that pests and diseases can affect a garden. Many diseases and pests can be avoided with simple strategies.

Start with a healthy, well-drained and healthy soil. The more nutritious it is the better your plants will be able to resist damage from fungi, viruses and bacterial. Include regular additions of organic matter like compost to encourage thriving populations of microbes as well as other organisms that help promote the health of your plants.

Develop a variety of plants that attract beneficial insects. These beneficial insects consume pests that would otherwise devour or pollinate your plants. By attracting these natural predators, you can reduce the amount of pesticides that you use and keep aphids from destroying your vegetables.

Check your plants frequently for signs of pests or disease-related infestations. Be on the lookout for wilted or discolored leaves, stems, and flowers. These are the first signs of a problem in a plant. They should be treated immediately to avoid an outbreak.

Find out what kind of disease or insect is causing the problem and take appropriate action. If gardening tips for beginners show brown spots, check for signs of nematodes or verticillium. These diseases can be spread by pests. They can kill the crop.

Tools

A garden plan can help you organize the various aspects of gardening, from the type of plants to plant next on the border to the best timings for harvesting. You will also be aware of essential chores such as watering, pest control and fertilizer application. A variety of free garden planning programs are available online. These are perfect for those who aren't experienced or anyone looking to get the most value of their garden space.

Some of these plans come with pre-made templates to help you get started and others let you start from scratch. Most allow you to zoom in and out and move around the drawing to make it exactly the way you want it. You can also create fences, sprinkler systems, walls and plants.

The program that runs on a browser from Anglian Home began as a cheat sheet for vegetable growers and has evolved into a web-based tool that can be utilized to plan any kind of garden. It will guide you in selecting the best plants and vegetables that thrive in your climate. It will also give you top tips on how to plant and harvest successfully. It will also look at the weather conditions in your area and give you the best dates for planting and harvesting.

This garden planner is targeted more towards trees and flowers than vegetables, but it's worth a look. In contrast to other garden planning software, this one uses 3D rendering and gives you a birds-eye view of your garden.

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