While the past couple of weeks have been cold and dreary, it has been a perfect time to start the spring garden planning process. Garden planning is always a good way to lift your spirits and brighten the mood. If you haven’t ever gardened before, here are 5 steps to get your gardening season off to a good start.
Step One. Choose Your Location.
The first step to successful spring garden planning is picking a location. You’ll want to put your garden in a sunny place that receives at least 8 hours of sunlight. Avoid low-lying areas that don’t drain well or might accumulate too much water when it rains. Also, pick an area that is easy to get to and will have access to water.
Step Two. Research Your Planting Zone.
Draw a diagram of the garden and the spacing that you have, so you know how many seeds or plants you’ll need. Follow a planting calendar for Zone 7, if you’re in the Tulsa area, so the seeds will be started at the proper time. If you’re not sure what planting zone you’re in, check out the USDA zone map to find your area. What planting zone you’re in will also determine what kinds of things you can grow. Some plants don’t do well in Oklahoma because it either gets too hot or too cold for them.
Step Three. Decide What You Want to Grow.
If you’re going to start with seeds instead of started seedlings, you’ll want to start those 2-4 weeks earlier, so they have time to grow. Seeds are available at local nurseries, online sources, or catalogs. If buying seeds online or from a catalog, it’s a good idea to buy them now, so you can get them in time to plant. Check your current inventory, so you can use the current seeds you already have. Alternatively, you can purchase seedlings, and transplant them into your garden. Buying established seedlings is a good idea for beginners.
Step Four. Gather Supplies.
While you’re waiting for your seeds or maybe waiting for warmer weather, you can start to gather your other supplies such as pots, gloves, spades, compost, etc. Have an organized storage, so your supplies are easily accessible when it’s time for the season to begin.
Step Five. Prepare the Garden Site.
There are numerous ways to prepare your garden site. Some ways such as solarization, will take months and it is best to start in the hottest months in the summer. For a long-term, garden plot, I do recommend solarization as it kills the weed plants, but also the roots and seeds. However, other practices such as tilling can be done a week or so before planting, so it is another option for a tighter deadline.
In Conclusion
Starting a garden is no easy project, however, with a bit of planning and preparation, there can be quite a lot of success. It’s a great project to start planning in the winter months and can include the whole family. Have fun and feel free to experiment with a variety of plants and methods to find what works best for you and your home.
Also, you can partner with Farm Hippie to sell any excess garden produce that you have throughout the season!
Feel free to comment with a piece of advice that you wish you knew as a beginning gardener!
Written by Kayla Kamp Owner of Replenishing Farms and Advocate of Local Food and Farmers.
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