Planning your garden for next year might feel overwhelming, but it can be a fun and rewarding process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you design your dream garden, even if you’re starting from scratch.
Find Your Focus
The first thing to do is to decide what you want to grow. Your garden’s focus can be anything from fresh-cut flowers for your table to a bountiful vegetable patch to feed your family. Maybe you have a sweet tooth and want to plant as many berry bushes as possible. Identifying your “why” will help guide your choices. Make a list of all the elements you want to incorporate in your garden.
Assess Your Space
Next, take a good look at the space you have to work with. It doesn’t matter if you’re working with a small balcony or several acres; anyone can start a garden. Observe your space and note how many hours of sunlight it receives and whether it gets morning or afternoon sun. These factors will influence what you can successfully grow.
Narrow Down Your Plant List
With your space and sunlight conditions in mind, revisit your list and narrow it down to what can realistically fit and thrive. Research each plant's space requirements and ensure you have enough room allotted for each.
Utilize Creative Solutions for Small Spaces
Gardening has come a long way, and there are solutions for almost any obstacle. If you’re working with a balcony, you can grow blueberry bushes in grow bag containers or use stacking planters for strawberries. Hook planters over your balcony rail to maximize space and leave the floor space open for grow bags with peppers and tomatoes.
Plan Placement for Larger Spaces
For larger spaces, placement is key. Growing in grow bags gives you the flexibility to move plants as needed. In-ground or raised bed planting is less flexible but can be more efficient. Consider plant companions and group plants that support each other. For example, the “Three Sisters” planting method—corn, beans, and squash—allows each plant to benefit the others.
Think About Companions and Beneficial Plants
Look into companion planting to maximize your garden’s productivity. Some plants, like nasturtiums, repel pests while being edible themselves. This year, I planted nasturtiums to protect my tomatoes and enjoyed the bonus of adding them to salads. But depending on your end goal all plants have buddies that can help them thrive.
Organize for Easy Harvesting
When planning your garden, think about how you’ll harvest your crops. Make sure frequently harvested plants are easily accessible. I learned this the hard way by planting my bush beans in a hard-to-reach spot. As a result, I place my herb garden in a central location with 360-degree access for easy harvesting because I harvest herbs for tea multiple times a day.
Create a Garden Plan
Draw a layout of your garden beds, grow bags, and ground beds. Sketch out where each plant will go. This helps you stay organized and ensures you don’t overcrowd your space. It also makes it easier to identify and care for your plants as they grow. If your forget what you plant it helps to have a key already written out to help you identify your intended plants from weeds that may sprout up around it.
Just Start
The most important advice is to start. Many people are waking up to the benefits of growing their own food, and I can’t recommend it enough. It’s often more affordable than buying groceries, and nothing tastes better than home-grown produce. Gardening brings a sense of abundance and fulfillment that is hard to match.
By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to planning a successful and rewarding garden for next year. Happy gardening
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