Starting Your First Garden?

Great! There is nothing better than blank canvas of garden space, and a truckload of brazen creative inspiration and enthusiasm… or even a tiny, hesitant flicker of enthusiasm if you’re the reluctant gardener-type.

Either way, here are some tips for getting a garden started, whether it’s the whole yard, or a modest corner. Here we go!

I know this is a daunting list, but take what you need and like from it, and leave the rest. This is just a resource to get you thinking! I have the tendency to act, then think (Ready, Fire, Aim) when it comes to gardening, but I stress that the Ready, Aim, Fire approach is favorable. Best of luck in your gardening future, and remember- this is supposed to be fun. If it’s not fun, then do something different!

1. Start composting now. Even if you think you are months away from starting your garden. You’ll need that black gold later, and it takes a little time to make, so choose a location and start your compost today. A good compost location is:
- Far enough away from the house and main garden areas that it is not an eyesore
- Close enough to the kitchen so it is practical to bring kitchen scraps out there
- Close enough to the garden so it is practical to bring finished compost to planting areas
think it through, because you’ll most likely be visiting the pile almost daily.
- Close enough to a water source so you can keep it moist.

2. Get to know your garden space through all the phases of the day. Different plants will have different sunlight and water needs, so take note of your space before you plant.
- Where is the morning sun?
- Where is the afternoon sun?
- Are there any spots that are always exposed to sun or shade?
- Are there any places that puddle when it rains, don’t drain well, and stay wet all winter?
- It may be a good idea for you to test your soil to see if you need any amendments before you start planting.
- Is your soil clay, rocky, sandy, perfect? It will be good to know and to add other materials as necessary.
- Will you be taking out part of a back yard lawn?
- Will you plant in the front yard?
- Do you have hills or other landscaping elements to consider?

3. Write down ideas for your dream garden, and make a priority list. Chances are that you won’t have the time or budget to make your dream garden come true immediately. Making a list can help you with long term planning, and can make the whole process seem a little less daunting. Think of it like mapping out the route before a long road trip, so you don’t get confused or lost along the way. Dream big, write everything down, even the silly or grandiose ideas are welcome… then start to prioritize.
- What types of food plants do you want to grow, are they annual or perennial?
- What are your favorite flowers, and what growing conditions do they prefer?
- Consider which plants will be low or high maintenance. Annual pruning is a lot of work with certain plants, and re-planting annual flowers each year can cost a great deal of time and money. Do yourself a favor and opt for lower maintenance plants whenever possible.
- Do you want to garden in containers? Raised beds? Open ground areas?
- Do you want specific types of fruit trees, or other favorite trees?
- What size will the plants you choose be at maturity?
- What will you do to add winter interest to the garden? What plants do you like that provide winter color?
- What about garden structures? If your dream is to someday have a gazebo, deck, patio, bench, archway, fence, hammock, etc, where will you put it? The possibilities are endless… are you brave enough for an outdoor shower or bath?
- Better to start small, and as you gain confidence and experience expand at that point. If you bite off more than you can chew in the beginning, you run the risk of feeling discouraged and overwhelmed. Remember- this is supposed to be fun!

4. Scope out a few local nurseries
- Figure out who has the best fruit trees, seed selection, shrubs and flowers, help desk for questions, prices, vegetable starts, unusual plants, rocks, bark, etc. Chances are good that each store will have it’s strengths and weaknesses. Get to know your resources.

5. Do you have a master gardener program or a demo garden in your area that you can look to for inspiration? Check the American Horticultural Society for the nearest experts to you. Many have a hotline that you can call with general gardening questions, others often host free workshops

6. Browse gardening magazines, websites, books, blogs, and neighbors/community gardens for things you like (so you can mimic them) and for things that annoy you (so you know to steer clear of those.)
- Take pictures and copy, print or tear out favorite images
- Do you see a theme emerging? (Modern, Simple, Country, Natural, Cottage, Asian, Costal, Urban, Recycled, Traditional, etc.)

7. Now more boring stuff
- Where is the water source? Will you water by hand with a hose? where will it be stored?
- Will you install drip irrigation or sprinklers?
- Do you want to have a rain collection barrel or a grey water system?
- Where will you store your tools (small and large) so they are accessible, yet protected from the weather? Can you make the storage area a pretty feature in the garden?
- Where will you store other garden supplies like sluggo, seeds, and other smaller things? Find a cool dry place for those.
- Will you need to install paths for safe-walking?
- Will you garden organically whenever possible, or will you plan to use chemical pesticides and herbicides. Best to do some research on either.
- Do you need to protect plants from animals such as deer, digging dogs, cats, rodents, raccoons, birds? What animals live in your area that could be a problem, and how will you plan to deal with them?

8. What will you use the garden for? Plan the space with careful consideration given to how you want to use it. That is how you know you will get the most out of the garden.
- Growing food or flowers for cutting?
- Blending in and enhancing the natural landscape?
- Do you need grass for kids? A fort or playhouse? A swingset?
- Do you need a dog run? Aviary? Chicken Coop?
- Is a pool, spa, or outdoor workspace part of your plan?
- Most important: Where will you put a small table and chairs so you can sit and enjoy your garden? We don’t want to just watch it through the window, we want to plan to spend time in the garden- not just when we’re weeding and working!

Finally, remember that there is no such thing as a “finished garden.” It simply doesn’t exist. Gardens will always evolve with time, and with the likes and dislikes of their keepers. So, just as you will not be quite the same person in 5 years that you are today, your garden will be different too.

See what other gardeners added to the list here & add your own ideas too!