What’s the Plan?
When winter besets and the hectic pace of the fall harvest is almost forgotten, it is time to look towards spring. Grow lights take the edge off of garden fever once the long and cold winter sets in, and few things beat sipping hot chocolate while planning for Spring. Planning is crucial to the success of your plants, the beauty of your garden, and the conservation of your resources.
Whether it is graph paper and a pencil, or an online planning website, find what works for you. There is something deeply satisfying about drawing, coloring, and organizing my garden binder. A binder provides me with a place to store seed catalogs, plant tags, and other literature I gather. Options are increasingly available for online and digital documentation. Though I LOVE paper, my laptop is filled with garden files and bookmarks of my favorite seed companies, lunar calendar sites, and more. Use what fits you and your lifestyle!
Step 1: Site Plan
It’s important to begin with a site plan. This can be a rough sketch or a detailed measured plan. Include structures, trees, bushes, boundaries, etc. Take care to make sure your garden has access to a water hydrant or faucet. Water is no fun to carry and neither is 200’ of tangled and unsightly hose. Note the compass directions and the path of the sun in winter and summer. A great app for determining sun direction and hours of daylight is called Sun Seeker. Most gardens need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight to thrive. The early morning sun helps to dry leaves and prevent disease while the late afternoon sun can be scorching during the hottest months. An open area with southern exposure is ideal. Find your approximate growing zone here.
Step 2: Identify the Objective
Once your site has been sketched, the next step is organizing your objectives. Do you want a vegetable garden, a flower garden, or maybe a meditative garden? Are you xeriscaping (landscaping for little or no watering) or have plans for a sports area or playground? Or maybe like me, all of the above and more! Now is the time to prioritize space for the things you love most. Make sure the most used or important things are closer to the house and lesser-used spaces further away. Consider also visibility. Do you want it seen from the road or from your living room window?
Step 3: Securing a Perimeter
Do you need a fence? If deer are a problem, you do! For deer and elk, the fence should be at least 6 or 8 ft high. For cost savings, often a 6’ fence with two strands of wire on top will keep most things from coming over the top. If rabbits are a menace, the bottom section will need to have space between the wires no greater than 1-2” and buried at least 1 foot underground. Make sure all gates are wide enough to accommodate a good size wheelbarrow or at least 4’ wide. If you ever plan on driving large equipment into the space, a 10-foot gate is worth the investment. Consider multiple gates - rarely will you regret the extra gate.
Step 4: Choosing the Plants
Now you are ready for the fun part! Begin again with a list of your "must-haves" and as you have room, other desired plants. Take some time to research the following when considering which plants or varieties you want to purchase:
Hardiness zone – most plants have varieties adapted for warmer or colder climates. Maps are available if you are unsure what zone you live in.
Size at maturity – many varieties can be found in a dwarf size if needed. The size and position of the plant will determine how much light reaches the rest of the garden and should be considered when planning.
Production – e.g. 6-10lb of zucchini per plant & 10 cucumbers per plant. Are you supplementing your grocery needs or planting for a year’s worth? Some varieties can be more fruitful than others.
Companion planting – growing certain plants with others can maximize or minimize health, pest damage, and production.
Water requirements – Group plants with similar water needs. Also, consider an irrigation system and access to bibs or hydrants. Shallow-rooted plants such as garlic, onions, lettuce, and strawberries need more frequent watering, especially in hot weather and sandy soil. Deeper-rooted plants such as tomatoes, squash, asparagus, and beans prefer more thorough, infrequent watering.
View - how does your garden look from inside the house or from the street? Will your garden serve as a much-needed privacy screen. Depending on your angle, placing vining or tall plants towards the back will open up a view of your garden and create a pleasant backdrop.
If a plant doesn’t fall within the guidelines, don’t give up hope! With creativity and patience, there are ways to work around the constraints. Gardening is as much an art as a science! Once you have an idea of what you want, arrange the plants in your sketch based on height at maturity. The arrangement of plants depends environmental factors, such as sunlight and watering. If your season allows, you may want to plan for replacement plants as the year progresses.
Finally, there comes the time to purchase seeds and plants. Seeds are the most economical and best choice if you are willing to put in the time and effort. Some sprouts and potted plants may carry pests and diseases in the soil, but a reputable nursery and careful inspection can help minimize those problems. Often there are far more seeds in the packet than you need. Planning with a friend and sharing seeds helps keep costs down, and is a fun winter activity over a cup of tea.
Happy planning!