Certain steps must be taken in order to successfully make a garden plot, including choosing the correct area and amending the soil before plants can go in. Matching the plants to the area chosen is a crucial, yet often over-looked aspect of garden design many beginners forget about.
3 Important Tips to Making a Garden Plot
Make a Garden Plot- Choose the Location Carefully
Choosing the correct location is very important to the success of the garden. Considerations must be made for sunlight and drainage requirements when considering which plants to grow in the area to make the garden plot most successful. For plants which require full sun, an area which receives at least six hours of sunlight will suffice. For part shade plants, four to six hours of dappled sunlight is good. Full shade means not much light at all can be gotten by the plants, so an ideal location would be under a tree or next to a building or fence. Many different techniques can be used to increase sunlight in an area without cutting down a tree or knocking down a wall. The use of reflective elements, such as glass, can improve light conditions. Mirrors should be avoided in climates that get really hot during the growing season, as this is a fire hazard.
Consideration must be made for all areas of the yard available, including the front yard, side of the house, and tucked-away back corners of the yard. Careful observation of potential areas chosen to make a garden plot should be made at least four months prior to the implementation of the garden to ensure the proper amount of sunlight is had at the specific location considered. Different areas may be considered to make sure the ideal conditions exist for specific plants considered. It is important to remember that during the winter time in certain areas not as much sunlight will be observed as would be observed in the summer. For example, in Northern climates, in a specific area, only six hours of sunlight may be observed in January whereas more than eight hours of sunlight may be observed in July.
Make a Garden Plot- Amend the Soil
The soil in the specific location chosen due to sunlight requirements should be amended before planting. Timing of amending the soil often depends upon the specific type of plants to be grown in the area. For example, hardy perennial fruit-bearing bushes, such as blueberries, require soil amendment a year before planting the bush. Annual flowers and vegetables can be successfully grown in soil which was amended a few weeks before planting. Amending the soil will ensure the best success to make a garden plot.
Soil can be amended in a number of ways. One important step for most soil types regardless of what is ultimately added to the soil includes aerating the soil. The best way to do this is to dig up the area where the garden plot is to be made with a shovel, digging two feet below the surface. This will ensure that the soil is friable and light, making it much easier for plant roots to grow. An often over-looked aspect of gardening is the fact that plant roots require air as well as water. If organic growing is the method of choice for the garden plot, compost can be added when digging the soil. If non-organic methods are to be used, fertilizers typically should be added slightly below the surface to ensure the roots of the plants can easily take up the available nutrients.
Learn more about quality soil in this post
Make a Garden Plot- Choose Plants Wisely
Plants should be chosen wisely in order to ensure the best success to make a garden plot. Along with selecting plants for shade tolerance or sunlight requirements, plants which have been bred to not become susceptible to common diseases should be used. These plants can be grown organically easier than those susceptible to diseases. If buying plants from a reputable nursery, information on common diseases and immunity should be available for plants purchased.
Tags in the plant pots or information on the backs of seed packets will explain sunlight requirements for specific plants. As a rule of thumb, fruiting vegetable plants such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and zucchini require six to eight hours of sunlight per day during the growing season. Other vegetables, such as beans and peas, can be successfully grown in partial shade. Broccoli and spinach can be grown in shade. Various flowers have certain requirements as well. Some flowers which have traditionally been grown in full sun have been bred to grow in part-shade with much success.
Heat tolerance is another important aspect to consider when choosing plants. Certain plants should not be grown in Southern climates during the summer but can be very successfully grown in cooler weather. Cold tolerance is important as well for Northern climates, especially when considering perennial plants. The prudent gardener will know his or her USDA zone before shopping for plants.
Following these basic guidelines, anyone can make a garden plot with success. Choosing the area, amending the soil, and choosing appropriate plants are important aspects to consider to ensure the most success.
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