It's still cold outside, but perhaps you're itching to start planting your garden for spring. Until the weather warms up, there are a few things you can do to prepare. Check out our guide to planning your garden now, before the ground thaws.
Consider Last Year's Results
Did you have a garden last year? How did it do? Did you enjoy a good harvest, or were the results poor?
If you encountered problems, such as insect infestation or poor growth due to soil pH balance, make a note of those issues. You may want to do a soil test this year to ensure that the earth in which you plan to plant is conducive to plant health. If it's not, you'll need to remedy that by adding fresh, rich soil, which you can purchase online from Kurtz Bros., Inc. To discourage harmful insects, plan to include mulch in your garden beds.
Research Desirable Plants
If your results last year were less than stellar, it may be because you chose plants that don't thrive in your area. Do some extra research to identify plants and vegetables that are easy to cultivate and that are well-suited to your area climate. Make sure the plants are also compatible with each other, and that they won't crowd each other out or overshadow each other.
Sketch a New Garden Plan
Do you have an idea for how you want your garden to look, or how it should be arranged? Now that you've researched the types of plants you want and determined that they're compatible, you'll have a better idea of optimal placement.
Sketch a general plan for your garden. Determine how much space you need to allot for certain vegetables or flowers. If you want a visually appealing garden as well as a functional one, determine which plants should be in the background and which ones would look best in the foreground. You can also draw plans for a garden path or any other features you'd like to add to your landscape this year.
Start Seeds Indoors
Do some research online to find out when your area usually has its last frost. With this information in hand, you can gauge when the ground might begin to thaw. Six or eight weeks before that date, you should plant some of your seeds in small pots and nurture them. That way, they'll get a good head start on the growing season. If you're growing vegetables, you may even be able to squeeze in a couple of harvests if you begin early.
Buy Garden Supplies
Remember to purchase all the extra tools and supplies you need from Kurtz Bros., including rakes, trimmers, decorative rocks, and garden spades. With those tools in hand, you'll be ready to start a successful garden this spring.