Now that the long winter is behind us, most of us can’t wait to get back to work in the garden! All of your daydreams and garden planning can now be put in to action.
There is no better feeling than getting your hands in the dirt and seeing the fruits of your labor pay off with a beautiful spring garden. Whether you are a new or experienced gardener, there is always some prepping and garden planning required to get back in the swing of gardening.
Given all the effort that goes into gardening, having a solid gardening plan can really pay off. Incorporate these simple tips to get a great start to this year’s spring gardening season. These garden planning tips are sure to have your neighbors and family in awe of your spring garden.
Tips for Starting Your Spring Garden
- Research plants that grow in your region. Doing a bit of research to learn about the plants that grow best in your region will greatly optimize your spring garden. Climate and rainfall have a big impact on gardens. This Regional Guide (https://www.lowes.com/creative-ideas/gardening-and-outdoor/choosing-plants-that-fit-your-climate-a-regional-guide/article) can help you choose what will work best for your location.
- Consider the size of plants at maturity. As you plan your spring garden take in to consideration how big your plants will grow through the seasons. This will ensure you choose the right number of plants, while keeping spacing in mind. Aesthetically, the final result of your garden will be much more appealing when you have a good idea of what the final outcome will be once all plants have reached their maximum growth.
- Design a theme garden. Theme gardens have gained a lot of popularity in recent years. Create a theme around your passions, ideas, and inspirations. Based on your theme, work in non-plant landscape features such as paths, rocks, and water features. Additionally, consider what plants will work best with your theme. A Japanese garden, herbal tea garden, and a butterfly garden are just a few ideas. Adding a garden theme can positively transform the space to put your own personal mark on your garden.
- Create a Budget. Admittedly, it can be extremely easy to get carried away when spending money on a garden. There are so many outstanding plants, features, and tools to choose from. Creating a garden budget helps to set parameters on spending. It also allows you to prioritize and focus on where to get the most bang for your buck.
- A few ideas to cut back on garden spending:
- Make compost on your own using food and yard waste.
- Buy inexpensive planters. Costly planters can take a big hit on your budget. Add your own personal touch by painting them.
- Garage sales and online Facebook groups often have quality gardening tools at a fraction of the store price
- Shop around! Prices can vary wildly for gardening tools and plants. Check out a few local garden or discount stores to get an idea of which ones have the best prices.
- A few ideas to cut back on garden spending:
- Seed Starting. Get a head start by planting seeds indoors by seed starting. Use a small planter or pot that has drainage holes. Plant the seeds 6-8 weeks prior to transferring them to your spring garden. For lighting, there are special grow lights that may yield much better results than the window sill method. If your area is known for having a late spring frost, seed starting is a great way to monitor seeds, and protect them.
Place to enjoy your garden. Be sure to incorporate a space to enjoy all your hard work! When choosing a space, keep in mind the shading an area offers and comfortable furniture. Create an oasis near your garden where you can go to read a book, observe nature, and relax!