I’m excited to share some tips on A Beginner’s Guide to Planning Your Garden (Just 9 Steps).
Planning your garden is the first step to getting your little piece of a perfect place growing at home.
And let’s be honest, we’ve all probably asked ourselves these questions before planning your garden:
Where should I put my garden?
How big should it be?
What if I mess up?
Where do I even begin?
Don’t worry, I’m here to help, We’ll break it down into easy steps.
First, we’ll think about where to put your garden. Then, we’ll map out the space.
After that, we’ll decide what you want to grow and put it all together.
These steps will get you started on your home gardening journey.
If you’re looking for even more tricks and tips, keep reading this blog.
Hi everyone! Victoria Barnes here, your friendly neighborhood home garden hobbyist. I’ve been growing my veggies and flowers for about 7 or 8 years.
Table of Contents
Follow these 9 steps for Planning Your Garden
Now, let’s dive deeper into these 9 steps to planning your garden.
So you can easily grasp what to do and what not to do.
Don’t worry, these steps are like a piece of cake.
Follow them along, and you’ll be well on your way to growing a fantastic garden with a smile.
Step 1: Location
Sunshine is Key!
What is your gardening plan?
Do you do small gardening or big? Picking the perfect spot for your garden is super important.
Why?
Because if you plant your veggies, fruits, or flowers in the wrong place, they might not grow well.
That would be a bummer, and we don’t want that.
The best spot for most plants is somewhere that gets at least 6-8 hours of sunlight a day.
The location should be selected in such a way that the water connection is very close.
So that you can easily water the garden 1-2 times a week.
Good Soil: Avoid heavy clay or dry sand if possible.
This is like a happy zone for them to grow big and strong. Think of your backyard – does it get sunshine most of the day?
If so, that’s a great sign!
So, location is like rule #1, once you’ve found a sunny spot, you’re halfway there.
Now, with the right care (like regular watering and feeding), your plants will be on their way to thriving.
Sun not a must for your veggie garden?
Here are some ideas:
1. Borrow a sunny spot from a neighbor or relative.
2. Rent a plot at a community garden (bonus: make new friends)
3. Raised beds with fresh soil can fix bad soil problems.
Step 2: Mapping Your Space
Once you have selected a good location, start measuring your space and start designing the map on paper.
If you are a beginner then start from a small garden.
I started gardening in 2017, I started with a 10 x 10 garden and you can too. Start early, it’s hard to start.
Some people simply scratch and others suggest to bust out the graph paper and ruler.
And those who are experts, like me, haha, use software or spreadsheets to create a mapping.
Do the method that seems easy to you.
As an example, let me share with you an expert gardener’s 4 x 8 raised bed garden mapping design.
This size garden is manageable, yet productive.
Step 3: Deciding What To Grow
Got it guys. When you look at seed catalogs you want to grow all things together.
But I would suggest you start small. Learn to limit yourself. Limitation is the secret of success.
Each plant (vegetable, flower, and fruit) has very different growth requirements and is neither easy nor difficult to master all at once.
So many gardeners don’t succeed because they try to do everything at once and get frustrated and quit gardening.
You have to start small, gradually your experience will increase, then gradually grow the garden.
Limit yourself and prepare for 5 to 10 new plant species each season.
Within 4 to 5 years you can easily master 20 to 30 new species of plants.
Then as your confidence increases, your skills will increase.
Here are a few cut flowers that are beginner-friendly:
- Sunflowers
- Poppies
- Zinnias
- Marigolds
- Cosmos
- Calendula
Step 4: Soil Amending
Soil Amending for Beginner Gardeners:
Healthy soil = Happy Plants
Amending your soil simply means adding things to improve its quality. Here’s how to get started:
Know Your Soil:
Before you add anything, test your soil’s pH (acidity) with a kit from a garden center. This will help you choose the right amendments.
Choose Your Amendment:
- Compost: Great all-around choice, adds nutrients, and improves drainage.
- Aged Manure: Rich in nutrients, use sparingly (fresh manure can burn plants).
Add & Mix:
Spread 2-3 inches of compost or aged manure over your garden bed. Till it into a depth of 6-8 inches to mix it with the existing soil.
Bonus Tip: Repeat amending with compost every year to keep your soil healthy.
Step 5: Composting
Composting for Beginners: for Your Garden Composting turns kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich “black gold” for your garden. Here’s how to get started:
Build Your Bin
Choose a shaded spot with easy access.
Use recycled materials like pallets or chicken wire to create a bin with ventilation (airflow is key).
Layer Up
Brown Materials (Dry): Dried leaves, shredded paper, cardboard (add these first)
Green Materials (Moist): Coffee grounds, vegetable scraps, fruit peels (add on top)
Keep it Going
Repeat layers of brown and green materials. Moisten the pile if it feels dry.
Turn the pile every few weeks with a shovel to aerate it (helps it decompose faster).
Voila With these steps, your compost pile will be on its way to creating amazing fertilizer for your startup garden.
Step 6: Climate Considerations
Climate Considerations for Beginners:
- Frost Dates: Research your area’s average first and last frost dates. This helps you choose plants suited to your growing season.
- Planting Zones: USDA Hardiness Zones define your climate based on average winter temperatures. Use this to select plants that thrive in your zone.
- Sun Exposure: Consider the amount of sunlight your garden receives when choosing plants. Full-sun plants need 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Remember: Choosing plants suited to your climate (frost dates, zones, sun) increases your chances of gardening success.
Step 7: Putting it all Together
Planning your garden, #4 is putting it all together once you’ve mapped out your garden and decided what to grow next.
It’s time to figure out how many plants you want to plant in your garden.
The label of the packet of seeds that you have bought has information on how much difference there will be from one plant to another plant.
If you are in any dilemma about where to find the best seeds.
I will suggest that if there is a nursery near your house then take it from there.
And if there is no nursery nearby, then it will be better to buy it from Amazon. I usually take seeds from the nursery.
Note: If you are planting cut flowers, you should plant them as per the advice. I usually plant plants less apart than the requirements because the flowers have long stems to encourage them to grow.
Once you’ve finished planning, it’s time to turn your dream into reality. Happy planning (and planting), my friend. I can’t wait to see what you grow.
Step 8: Tools and Gear
The following basic gardening tools are recommended for beginners:
- Trowel: for digging small holes, planting seeds, and weeding.
- Hand rake: for smoothing soil, removing debris, and spreading mulch.
- Watering can: for watering plants, especially seedlings and delicate plants.
- Gloves: to protect hands from dirt, thorns, and blisters.
These tools will allow you to complete most tasks required in the initial stages of your vegetable or flower garden.
Optional tools depending on your needs:
- Compost bin: to create nutrient-rich compost for your garden.
- Soil testing kit: to determine your soil’s pH level and choose the right amendments.
Step 9: Ongoing Care
Ongoing Care for Beginners:
- Watering: Water regularly, especially during hot weather. Aim to keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy.
- Weeding: Remove weeds regularly to prevent them from competing with your plants for water and nutrients.
- Feeding: Fertilize your plants according to the package instructions to provide essential nutrients for healthy growth.
- Pest Control: Be observant of signs of pests or diseases. Use organic methods whenever possible to control them.
- Deadheading: Regularly remove spent flowers to encourage continued blooming in some plants.
- Harvesting: Harvest your vegetables, fruits, or flowers when they are ripe and at their peak quality.
Conclusion: Guide to Planning Your Garden
By following these 9 steps of planning your garden, you’ve learned the basics of planning and caring for your garden.
This guide is like a roadmap to success, but remember, gardening is also fun.
Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty and experiment a little.
With a little effort, you’ll be enjoying fresh, homegrown organic vegetables, beautiful flowers, or the satisfaction of nurturing life in your little piece of paradise.
Happy gardening.
If you want to be a successful gardener? Then you need to know important facts.
FACTS: Planning your garden, Perfect Sunlight, Good Soil, Location, Best month for planting, Prepare garden bed, Essential tools you need, Water your garden at the right time, Mulch your garden, Take care of your garden regularly, should also be known about these.
Bonus: Check out these articles for even more helpful information:
- How to Start a Garden for Beginners 12-Step Guide to Success
- 14 Most Clever Gardening Tips And Ideas: Gardeners’ Delight
- How To Disinfect Gardening Tools
- Bonsai Training Wire: Everything You Should Know
- How to Use a Manual Pole Saw With Rope
- Long-Handled Tools For Gardening – Top 5 Unbiased Reviews
- Victoria Barnes
FAQS: Planning Your Garden
What’s the basic pattern in garden design?
Imagine a balanced picture, maybe with repeating colors or shapes on each side. That’s the idea.
What’s the layout of a garden?
This is your garden’s blueprint! It shows where paths, plants, patios, and other features will go.
How to draw a simple garden plan?
Grab paper and pencil, Sketch your garden’s shape, then draw where you want things like seating areas and flower beds.
How to organize a garden?
Think about how you’ll use your garden (relaxing, entertaining?) and group plants with similar needs (sun/water) together.
What’s the most common garden layout?
Simple rectangles or squares are popular, but any shape can work.
How to arrange plants?
Taller plants go in the back, shorter ones in front. Group plants with similar sun and water needs.
What’s a garden plot?
This is the designated area where you’ll be planting your veggies, flowers, or other goodies.
How to level a garden?
Uneven ground? Use a shovel and rake to smooth things out for easier planting.
