If you have a decent amount of exterior space outside your home and would really like to start transforming this into a proper garden, where exactly do you start? Even experienced gardeners struggle to work with a real blank canvas and this isn’t hard to see why. You need a very good head for planning and some serious vision capabilities to say the least. But don’t fret, because this article with offer some insights on how to turn that bare patchy land into a real garden without the need to wave a magic wand – Enjoy!
The Best Time?
Most gardeners will agree that spring is a great time to start growing and digging, so why not follow suite and plan your new garden around this time of the year?
Ideas?
Sit down and decide exactly what it is that you want to plant in your garden. Some prefer vegetables and others love a flower garden, but we say you should make up your own mind because you are the one who will be looking at the results every day. We would say that you should start on the small side because you can always add at a later date.
Where?
Even if you have a huge garden site, it is best to think hard about exactly where you want to place your crops. Look at the sun movement and remember that flowers and vegetable each like at least 6 hours of good sunlight each day. And if you choose a spot that is easily noticeable from your house, you’ll always be able to check up on the progress without too much effort.
Clearing
Before you start planting, you’ll need to get rid of the sod covering, and this can be quite the job. You can choose to dig it all out if you are in a rush but there is a better way if you have the time to spare. Simply lay down five sheets of newspaper over the entire area and wait about 4 months. This will eventually decompose as will the sod underneath.
Soil
No matter how great the soil may appear, it will need a boost of sorts and this is easy enough to achieve. Get hold of some quality organic compost and add this to the soil prior to digging into the area. It may take a month or two to have the desired effect but the results will certainly be worthwhile.
Plants
When you decide what you are going to be planting, ensure that they will thrive in your climate and soil type or otherwise you could be wasting both time and money. Pick some annuals such as cosmos, marigolds and geraniums for a good set of beginner crops. If you are more interested in vegetables you could do far worse than choosing tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers.
Planting
As long as you pay heed to the seed-packet instructions you should be okay. Pay particular attention to the depth and the best time to plant and also the watering requirements.
Remember that a lot of hard work will require an equal amount of patience and hopefully you’ll have a summer of growth to look forward to – Good Luck!
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