Using a Garden Plan to Organize Your Yard
A garden plan helps you plan and visualize the plans you have for your backyard. If you are using a pencil and paper or a software program like EdrawMax this step will help you make sure that your garden is exactly what you envision.
Most vegetables thrive in a sunny spot that is close to water for irrigation. Many gardeners agree that it is best to plant rows north/south to avoid taller plants shading smaller ones.
Sun and Shade
It's important to take into account the amount of shade or sun that each area receives when you plan your garden. If you plant a flower that thrives in sun in a shady zone, it might not develop well and flower. A shade-loving flower placed too close to the sun will eventually scorch and die.
The cardinal directions as well as the location of large trees and buildings can affect how much sun each area of your lawn receives. Making an sun map is a good method of determining the amount of sunlight your yard gets. Observe the spot for an hour or two a day, taking into consideration shadows cast by tall trees and structures. Then over a few days, write down what time each area receives direct sunlight and the length of time it lasts.
If you're struggling with a lot of shade, consider limbing up a tree to help increase the light in the canopy. This lets more sunlight be able to reach the lower branches, making shaded areas appear healthier. You can also use containers to plant flowers or herbs in shaded areas. Annuals that are grown directly in the ground will have a tougher time growing and will not flower as beautifully as those grown in containers. The Old Farmer's Almanac Garden planner helps you select crops that are suitable for shaded areas. Simply click the "Partial Shade Tolerant' filter on the selection bar to explore the options.
Water
To keep water usage in the garden under control, this method relies on tough plants that can get by with a minimum of irrigation. Nature has provided drought-tolerant plants with special features that help them survive. These include lush succulent leaves that retain moisture, and a fuzzy layer that holds morning dew. Start by penciling perennials and shrubs. Planting larger plants first is best because they require more space. It's recommended to hold off on adding any border ornaments, such as the mulch or stepping stones until the garden is completed. These elements can accumulate quickly, and they're typically expensive to install.
raised garden beds
Incorporating compost into your garden can improve the quality of soil increasing its nutrient content as well as its moisture-holding capacity. Compost introduces soil microbes which fight off pathogens, prevent diseases and reduce the need for chemical fertilisers. Compost is produced by the decomposition of organic material - which includes pet waste, plant clippings, and food scraps that are edible - into a rich humus that functions as a natural plant fertilizer.
The ideal place to begin your compost pile is on bare earth instead of in a bin. This allows worms and other beneficial organisms to get into the pile. Put a few inches of straw or twigs over the ground to help aerate the compost and slow its breakdown. gardens should be placed in a partially shaded location and a place with adequate drainage. Avoid putting a compost pile in a dry or shaded location that can attract rodents and other pests.
Try to achieve a ratio of two and three parts of carbon-rich (browns), and one part of nitrogen-rich (greens). Alternate layers with green and brown ingredients. Avoid adding large amounts of any single type of ingredient, for example, dumping all of your fall leaves at once, as this limits air flow and can cause the pile to become too hot.
A variation to traditional compost piles is to dig a trench that will hold the ingredients and then cover it with garden soil. This is typically used for vegetables like climbing beans which grow in rows. The rich, nutrient-rich and moisture-retentive compost helps to feed the plants and encourages a vigorous growth and huge yields.
Fertilizer
Photosynthesis is a process by which plants produce their own food. However, it takes time. If the natural plant food source is not available or is depleted, manmade fertilizer can be utilized to add nutrients. The majority of commercial fertilizers include nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Certain fertilizers also contain other elements that are beneficial in smaller quantities like magnesium and calcium.
Fertilizers are available in both artificial and natural however it is important to study the labels to determine the most suitable one for your soil and garden. Certain fertilizers contain chemicals that can have an adverse impact on the environment. These are best used in a separate manner to avoid unwanted adverse effects.
Before you purchase seeds or transplants, take some time to prioritize the crops that are most appealing to you and how much land you can commit to the garden. Find your zone of hardiness and then consider which vegetables thrive in that zone. Plan to rotate crops to improve soil fertility and yield.
A garden plan will also help you decide the location of beds, borders, pathways and garden structures. This will make it easier to avoid confusion and save time. It also gives you the chance to clearly mark on your scale plan the hardscape and softscape features you want in your backyard. For instance, you could incorporate some clever pergola ideas to create shade or a seating space in the sun, and also some paving or gravel paths between your vegetables.
Pests and Diseases
While many gardeners enjoy the rewarding experience of gardening, there is the risk that pests and diseases could impact a planting. Many pest and disease problems can be avoided with simple strategies.
Start with a healthy, well-drained soil. The more nutrient-rich it is, the better your plants will be able to withstand damage from viruses, fungi and bacterial. Include regular fertilization with organic matter, such as compost to encourage thriving populations of microbes and other organisms that help promote healthy plants.
You can plant a variety of vegetables that will draw beneficial insects. These beneficial insects consume pests that would otherwise eat or pollute your plants. By attracting these natural predators to your garden will reduce the amount of pesticides that you need to use and also prevent caterpillars and aphids from destroying your garden.
Regularly inspect your plants for signs of disease or pests. Look for distorted leaves, scant growth, wilting or discoloration of leaves, stems and flowers. These are usually the first indications that there is something wrong with the plant and should be addressed as soon as possible to prevent an outbreak.
Identify what type of disease or insect is causing the issue and take appropriate action. For instance, if you notice that your tomato plants suffer from brown spots, check the roots for signs of nematodes fusarium or verticillium. All diseases that can be brought in by pests, and could quickly kill your tomato crop.
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A garden plan will aid you in organizing your garden from the kind of plants to plant in the border, to the best times to harvest. It can also help you stay on top of important tasks like irrigation, fertilizer application and the control of pests. A number of free garden planning tools are available online. These programs are ideal for people who are new to gardening or wish to maximize their garden space.
Certain of these garden plans come with templates that provide you with a starting point for your design Some let you begin from scratch. Most allow you to zoom in and out, and move around the drawing to design it exactly the way you'd like it to be. You can also add boundaries, such as fences or walls, design a sprinkler system and plant trees, plants and bushes.
This browser-based tool from Anglian Home was originally designed as a guide for vegetable gardeners however, it has since evolved into an effective interactive online tool that can be used to design any type of garden. It will guide you through the process of choosing the right plants and vegetables in your climate, giving the best tips for successful planting and harvesting. It will also analyze the weather in your region and provide you with the most suitable dates for planting and harvesting.
This garden planner is more geared toward flowers and trees rather than vegetables, but is worth checking out. This garden planner makes use of 3D rendering to give you a bird's eye view of your backyard.