Why you should assess an area before planning a garden bed

1. Why is it important to plan before working on garden?
2. What criteria should you use when deciding where to build your garden beds?
3. What are some factors to consider when planning your garden?
4. Where should you place a garden bed?
5. How do you plan a perfect garden?
6. How do you plan a garden plot?
7. How do you fill a raised bed cheaply?
8. Should I line my raised garden bed with plastic?
9. What should I put under my garden bed?
10. Why is it important to consider the factors in planning a vegetable garden?
11. What are the things to consider when preparing a vegetable garden?
12. What care should you give to your garden tools?

Why is it important to plan before working on garden?

A well-planned garden is easier to care for. It saves time in the garden and is more productive than an unplanned garden. Start planning your garden well in advance so you will be ready to get to work when planting time arrives. If the soil was not tilled in the fall, that must be done early in the spring.

What criteria should you use when deciding where to build your garden beds?

When deciding where to build a garden bed, one of the most basic concerns is how much sun is the bed going to get and at what time of day will the bed receive the most sunlight. The best spot to put a garden is in a somewhere that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight a day, preferably 8.

What are some factors to consider when planning your garden?

Consider the factors that will affect how your garden will grow — sunlight, shade, wind, drainage, access to water, foot traffic patterns — and the balance between lawn, shrubs, flowers and vegetables. A landscape analysis that considers these and other factors is an important first step in garden planning.

Where should you place a garden bed?

Location and Set-up. For optimum plant health and productivity, most vegetables should receive at least eight hours of full sun each day. The more sun, the better, so it makes sense to locate your garden in the sunniest part of your yard. Avoid low, wet areas where the soil could stay soggy.

How do you plan a perfect garden?

Planning a Garden

1. Choose a place where the soil is loose, rich, level, and well-drained.
2. Do not choose low areas where water stands or the soil stays wet. ...
3. Do not plant where weeds do not grow; vegetables will not grow well there either.
4. Vegetables need sunlight to grow well.

How do you plan a garden plot?

How to Map the Vegetable Garden Beds

1. Step 1: Sketch the Garden Area. ...
2. Step 2: Plot the Plants on the Map. ...
3. Step 3: Start with High Value Crops. ...
4. Step 4: Decide Which Vegetables to Grow Vertically. ...
5. Step 5: Give Vining Crops Plenty of Room. ...
6. Step 6: Fill in With Other Crops.

How do you fill a raised bed cheaply?

First, dig a trench that's about ten inches deep and two feet down the center of your raised bed. Put down a few layers of cardboard to kill any weeds or grass. Then, fill the core of your raised bed. The best option for this is to use straw bales, but you can also use leaves, grass clippings, or old twigs.

Should I line my raised garden bed with plastic?

You can line your raised bed to make it more durable and to prevent toxics from leaching into the soil. For lining, use landscape fabric found at garden supply stores or cloth fabric from clothing. Avoid non-porous plastic, as it can retain too much water and discourage beneficial insects and worms.

What should I put under my garden bed?

The bottom of a raised garden bed should be a layer of grass clippings, leaves, wood chips, straw, and other organic material. The cardboard should be placed on top of that layer. The organic material will turn into compost, while the cardboard will prevent weeds.

Why is it important to consider the factors in planning a vegetable garden?

Soil is the most important factor in any garden and perhaps more so in a vegetable garden. ... They are very heavy feeders and rich soil will not just keep them growing strong, it will also help ward off disease and pest problems. For starters, the soil in your vegetable garden will need to be rich in organic matter.

What are the things to consider when preparing a vegetable garden?

10 Steps to Starting a Vegetable Garden

• Choose the right location. Choose a location for the garden that has plenty of sun, ample space and close proximity to your hose or water source. ...
• Select your veggies. ...
• Prepare the soil. ...
• Check planting dates. ...
• Plant the seeds. ...
• Add water. ...
• Keep the weeds out. ...
• Give your plants room to grow.

What care should you give to your garden tools?

Never put your tools away wet. Allow them to dry completely before storing to prevent rusting and handle rot. Once each garden season, rub linseed oil into your wooden handles to help preserve them. After each use wipe the metal parts of pruners, shears, and loppers with an oily rag.