Preparing for a Great Garden-10 Ways to Garden Plan

Is weather allowing you to think of your garden today? I’m sitting on that favorite screen porch writing this morning. The breeze is wonderful. Dogwoods beginning to bloom and the sound of birds, lovely. Breakfast and coffee here while I make plans for gardening, planting, new planters and a garden party or two in the making. I’d love to have a new enclosed raised bed vegetable garden…but, that’s still in the “holding pattern” right now.

How are your garden plans coming? I thought I would share 10 things that I do to begin that garden plan process.

1- The first thing that all gardeners HAVE to know is what ZONE that they are in.

That is where it ALL begins. It is important to know your planting zones…what plants are hardy…what plants won’t grow there. An odd thing about this discussion, too, is that I have seen zone changes occur.

What?! Be careful that you research and know what plants and planting times are best in your AREA.

KEY conversation and notes added to your garden planning!

2- Have a garden planner as you begin to garden plan.

As I began to think about days ahead when planting after the frost warnings will happen for my zone and area, I knew that this year I needed a garden planner. I found a digital version and also a hardbound copy. I even found one that has plastic inserts to add my seed packets and plant tags so that I will remember what’s been planted. (See below my affiliate links- convenient for me at no extra cost to you for me finding them! See disclosure policy here.)

3-Plan the plants that you want to have in your garden areas.

I am ALL about the kitchen garden.

Arugula. Spinach. Lettuces.

And then, there’s the herb garden, with various types of thyme, oregano, rosemary, chives, sage, lemongrass, parsley, lemon balm, chocolate mint, peppermint, lemon mint, and cilantro for beginners.

There is nothing like reaching into those pots and collecting fresh herbs to add to a new dish or morning eggs.

I am adding things that frost won’t damage into the garden now. Things like cabbage and lettuces and herbs.

4-One of my things to determine then, is new labels.

I did that last year and printed off labels, that unfortunately didn’t live up to watering, sunlight and weather. They were a cute find at the dollar tree. Plastic stakes that I used in my garden tower. Not so cute after a few weeks of use.

I usually make new tags that add a bit of design to the garden. I don’t know about you, but by the end of the season, or even in years to come with perennials, I simply can’t remember the exact plant that did well or not so well to help with buying replacements. Labels help. Trust me.

Do you do things like that?

Especially for my herb garden. Here are some new labels with a waterproof pen for creating new and lasting markers this year.

5- Begin preparing your gardening area.

Perhaps, one of the first ways to prepare is to contact your local extension office and have a sample of your soil tested. This is a free service and they will provide a wealth of information on how to work to have your lawn looking fabulous.

I have begun raking out leaves that were left.

Pulling weeds.

Taking inventory of my pots.

I have emptied them; spray painted and done fiber glass repair on some; and then added new soil to each.

6-Next, for me in the garden plan, is the consideration of deer resistant plants and protecting those that are not deer resistant.

Now, if you remember from back porch sharing, we have deer in our yard. LOTS of them who LOVE to eat anything not deer resistant. Our hostas, tulips, hydrangea, black eyed susan, all had to have deer repellent used throughout the season. Repels all is the brand that we use. In dry form in the spring sprinkled as they begin to come up.

We have already pulled out the granules and sprinkled across the black eyed susans and hostas that are the salad buffet for those sweet deer.

Then, on to the concentrate as the summer progresses.

You MUST be diligent in applying in order to keep them at bay; especially, after rain showers. Get a head start and have these items in your inventory to keep all pests-deer, rabbits, raccoons, squirrels, etc. from eating your plants.

7-CREATE THE ACTUAL PLAN FOR YOUR GARDEN with all of your ideas. Plan plants, seeds, shrubs, trees, pots and landscaping materials for your garden areas.

I have a garden tower that we ordered last spring that we filled with herbs and lettuces and other things. It has a composting tube where we added compost and worms to that made the loveliest way to fertilize and make herbs happy. It is on wheels and can be turned and rolled and we love it. However, I’m sharing my experience with what TO DO and NOT TO DO here!

The first mistake was that of adding sweet potatoes. Oh, my! Reminding myself now to plant those in a separate box for harvesting! Trying to reach my hand from the top to empty out those sweet potatoes was brutal and those sweet potatoes…not as large as I had hoped. I think perhaps because of running into all of those other roots from the 50 plants in the tower. You think?!

I also made the mistake of adding in cucumbers and squash. What was I thinking about adding vining plants that needed supports?

NOT A GREAT IDEA!

There were stakes and vines extending that made rotating OR moving that tower an impossible task!

Goodness! Then there was another learning in the process. Note to self–cross pollination of the two produce something that is neither desirable or edible! Crossing both of those things off adding them back to the tower.

I am adding more herbs and lettuces now to add to this tower for this year and amend the soil for areas removed from those sweet potatoes. On my planner now!

Now, let’s talk tomatoes.

Look at this cute tomato plant I just purchased. Isn’t he the best?! He will have his very own pot to grow in all of his glory this year.

Last year, I added heirloom tomatoes to the top of the tower. BIG mistake! they just simply didn’t like it there.

They got moved to a large tub on the deck that gave them the space to grown, made staking easier and watering an ideal location. Making a list of those tomatoes you enjoy before shopping will help.

Herb pots were the next addition to my garden.

So, how do you plant your herbs?

I have a patch of mint planted in the ground that provides us with mint for drinks all summer. It’s amazing. Be careful; however, because of it’s “takeover” nature, it will spread and can become uncontrollable.

TIP: Some people actually plant the pots of it in the ground to prevent that problem from occurring.

I have chocolate mint in a container garden. If you read my post about the wonderful qualities of this mint, you understand my need for keeping it large.

In my garden plan this year, I realized at the end of the last growing season that the roots in that pot were crying out for repotting. So, that’s been added to the garden plan this year. Dividing and repotting into two pots is added to that journal for planning.

When planting herbs, it’s important that you research ALL the herbs before you purchase them in seed or plant form.
I am the WORST at just going to the garden center and picking up EVERYTHING!

Do you do that?

Like people, those sweet herbs need for you to get to know them.

Which like to be potted together?

Which prefer dry soil? or more watering? More sun? or shade?

Until you understand herbs, may I suggest that you read about them? Acquaint yourself with their BEST growing conditions before planting?

May I suggest that you simply plant each in a separate pot so that you begin to understand their growing needs before you plant them together?

I knew that lesson; but, last year I made the mistake of planting herbs together that weren’t friends. One choked out the other and my usually strong herbs just didn’t do well. Find those that play well together before grouping together.

It’s sort of like guiding your kids to play well with others; but, when they can’t with certain friends? You move them to play better with others.

Who knew plants were like children?

This year I am planning new groupings for my front porch planters, too.

Ferns, Boston and Kimberly, loved the front porch because of the shading. The RING doorbell created issues with those plants underneath causing it to go off each time the wind blew!

Last year they were replaced with geraniums and ivy and a bit of white flowering vine that I loved. Added to my planner were ideas of beautiful plants that would thrive in the shade and bit of sunlight and add beauty to that front porch.

I am a P. Allen Smith fan and this Container Garden book is the one I reached for for a bit of inspiration this year.

Landscaping Additions

We have enjoyed 20 years of a landscape design that has given us much joy. Age, however, is beginning to show on those shrubs. The boxwoods are getting harder to keep the right size for walkways. There were some designs planted where some miniature shrubs made it and others did not.

Written in that garden plan are replacement plants.

THAT’S A WHOLE NEW CONVERSATION.

Twenty years ago, we took our original plans created by a fabulous landscape designer, (who has now moved to another part of the world), and created an amazing front yard. Once again, we looked at his recommendations.

You know what we now have to consider?

Shading.

New trees that create more shade and less sun for some plants which may alter the garden plan.

See what I mean? Landscaping is NOT for the faint of heart! It will require more conversation, reworked designs and not just running to pick out a few plants without consideration of zones, drainage, sunlight or shade requirements and size that affects where they are planted to grow to their full potential. A professional is always important to include in the conversation and plan!

Shrubs, and trees, like those herbs, are like children, too.

Some have undesirable qualities that make me less likely to plant–like that sweet gum tree that drops it’s balls in the yard. A nightmare at a previous residence–not to be repeated!

8-Evaluate your garden tools and supplies.

There are many favorites that I simply can’t do without.

The trake tool with the two ends for spade and raking is genius and I cannot live without when planting.

Felco prunders. A favorite and so needed to trim away dead branches and plants to make sure that my plants stay healthy.

My favorite rake. This one is similar to the one I have. I love it.

I always have to have garden gloves; but, if you are like me, there are some days my hands just have to feel the soil. Right?

That collapsible bin for clean up and pruning.

A gardening bench so that I am not always sitting on the ground is a lifesaver! and the kneeling pads a no brainer!

If you are planting with seeds, I am sure that many have long begun them in trays to have ready when your worries of frost are over.

I have a favorite nursery that I’ll be picking up some of my favorites that I hope I have planned for instead of “impulse buying”…although, a great find is never a bad idea…right?

Until then, I’ll be hauling compost and mulch locally to prepare my zinnia beds and landscaping.

Planting what I can. Dividing herbs and designing planters that will add beauty and be positioned for the best impact.

We will make sure we get added onto the list for those who can help us replace old shrubs with new ones. Sometimes, delegation of those jobs are best for aging bodies and backs!

Don’t forget watering needs that may include hoses, watering cans, soaker hoses, and even watering systems installed.

And we light our lawn, so lights for each blooming season are added and positioned so that mowing and trimming can still occur.

Speaking of mowing…

don’t forget routine maintenance of mowers, weed eaters, trimmers, pruners, shears, and yard equipment is best before you need them. We also made sure that fuel was ready and waiting for each.

Don’t forget to add stakes or vine architectural pieces if vining plants are in your plan. Be prepared for what they will need.

Amend your soil…

We always begin with amending the soil, too, in both the lawn, planting beds and pots The soil testing that you had done here will answer a lot of your questions and provide information to navigate how to amend your soil. You may also ask your local favorite gardening center for advice in your zone with what will work best for you. What fertilizers, weed prevention, and organic or safe ways to help your plants to grow.

We always buy our compost locally. It makes all of our planting beds and plants happy. Each spring and fall, they get a new covering to keep the nitrogen levels and my plants happy.

9- SHOP EARLY.

The early bird does get the worm and the good materials, plants, trees, compost, seeds, planters…you get my drift! Don’t wait until planting time is here to make decisions to make your garden plan work.

10- Don’t forget to add a bit of whimsy to your garden. A bit of fun!

I have some great concrete pieces that need better showcasing this year and you will have to follow me to find out how a bit of whimsy plays out here.

Most importantly —ENJOY IT ALL!

When the time is right, you will be prepared.

Beds ready.

Plants selected and purchased (even if you have to protect them inside in case of frost before planting).

Pots cleaned and refilled.

Tools gathered.

The perfect plan created.

Decision made that will make your gardening a pure JOY!

Warm breezes are blowing across my work area this morning with the hum of a mower, birds chirping and a local church chiming in the distance.

All is right with the world. The newness that brings new beginnings and adds life and beauty all around us.

Take time to garden, my friend.

Enjoy it all. Even if it’s only one planter by the doorway.

Make it the best. May it offer a welcoming invite to all who may walk through your front door this summer.

Create that garden and make it a masterpiece.