7 Questions to Ask Before You Plan Your Garden

7 Questions to Ask Before You Plan Your Garden

With spring on the horizon, it is time to start planning your garden! Whether you are doing a container garden, raise bed garden, or just a small patch out in the backyard, a successful garden takes preparation and planning. Before you start breaking ground and sowing seeds, here are 7 questions to ask before you plan your garden. By answering these simple questions, you can be sure you are prepared for the perfect crop and can ensure yourself some gardening success. Here are 7 questions to get you started!

1. What planting zone am I in?
This is the first question you should ask before you plan your garden because this can help you choose when and what to plant. Your zone indicates your weather patterns, and not all plants do well in all zones. Identify your planting zone first so you can get an idea of when it is time to start planting and which plants will do well in your zone.

2. What kind of space am I working with?
Knowing how much space you have to work with will help you decide how much soil, seed, or seedlings you are going to need. Be realistic about how much space you have: are you using containers only? Do you have a 6 foot by 6 foot plot? Will you be doing a window box garden? Take measurements of your space so you can best plan.

3. How much time do I have to devote to maintenance?
Do you work 50 hours a week? Do you travel a great deal? Be realistic about how much time you have to dedicate to daily maintenance when planning your garden. This way you can choose plants and plant accordingly. Not all plants require constant care, so if you fall into one of the categories above, you will want to pick low maintenance plants. If you know you will have more time to dedicate, you choose plants that need a bit more daily TLC.

4. Is my area prone to pests?
Do you live in an area where deer and rabbits are often present? Do you have trees in your yard that attract aphids or mites? Knowing which pests reside in your area can help you make better choices when it comes to plants and choose ones that can stand up to such pests. Check out this Organic Garden Insect Spray to help keep those bugs away!

5. How much steady sunlight does my yard get?
Watch the sunlight patterns in your yard for a week. Do you have areas that get at least 6 steady hours of sun? Knowing this can help you choose appropriate plants. If the sun tends to shift, a container garden that you can move might be ideal. If you don’t get much sun, go for shade loving plants.

6. What type of fencing will I need?
Do you have children? Pets? Backyard pests? If so, you will want to consider what kind of protection you can offer your garden. This can mean something as simple as chicken fencing, or something more detailed like picket fencing. Think about what protection your plants will need and if you are able to provide it.

7. Do I want to garden for pleasure or purpose?
Do you plan on gardening to get produce to can or cook with? Or do you just want a cutting garden that can provide some beautiful cutting flowers? There are many reasons people plant gardens. Think about what you expect for your garden. Is it just to provide beauty, or do you need it for food too? Consider your expectations for your garden and it will help you plan more efficiently.

When you ask yourself these 7 questions, you can better be prepared for planting your spring and summer garden. These questions can help give you a strong running start, and give you the perfect garden for your space and lifestyle.