Beginners Guide: How to Plan Your Garden

This is the beginners guide on how to plan your garden for the first time gardener who has dreamed of getting a garden growing but experiences start paralysis like me! We just moved from our suburban home and garden and are starting a garden from scratch all over again.

Step One: Know Your Zone

The very first thing to do when starting a garden of any size (a pot or two on a city apartment patio counts!) is identifying your growing zone. The easiest way to do so is to simply google it. Type in “what growing zone is {insert zip code} and waaalaa! You will get a number and that will tell you your average first and last frost dates.

Step Two: Identify Your Growing Space

Nearly everyone has the ability to grow something… even with little to no land. Last year we produced 75% of our produce and 100% of our herbs from less than a quarter acre. It may have been in our front yard but I did not care! If you have no yard at all there is still a way! Patios, pots, and vertical growers like the greenstalk are great options.

You want to find a location that gets full sun meaning there is direct sunlight for a minimum of 6 hours per day.

Next you will determine if your soil needs amendment. If working in raised beds or pots you can worry about this later. You’ll likely purchase some compost or raised bed soil to get started. In ground however, you may have to do a little more homework (though more cost efficient.) There are soil test kits like available for purchase at nearly any garden center which will help determine what type of organic matter is needed. to add to your soil for fertilizer.

Step Three: Starting Seeds vs. Buying Starts

When starting a garden from scratch, knowing your end goals and the limits you have can help narrow down your focus. Now that you know your zone and the amount of space you have to grow, it’s time to decide what you want to grow and how much.

My biggest tip here is to PLANT WHAT YOU EAT. If you hate tomatoes then don’t grow them even though “everyone” seems to start there.

If it is still before your last frost date and frugality is a factor in getting your garden started then starting seeds yourself can be a huge money saver. I will be starting seeds myself this year and will share a post in detail on how to do so soon!

If you only plan to grow a few things are are still feeling intimated than I suggest buying some starts! Find your local nursery and get starter plants that are ready to go come planting time for your zone.

Pro tip: local nurseries are always the best place to start. Last year a local greenhouse offered all starters for $1.99. Veggies, herbs, everything! Which is a huge savings from the $5.99 tomatoes you’ll find at big box stores. Especially if you are growing a good handle of things.

Step Four: Make Your Plan

Now its time to get excited and make your garden plan. There are apps like Seed-Time that can make things very helpful as far as setting a calendar and dates for when to do certain gardening plants. But I love to do it with pen and paper.

I hope this beginners guide: how to plan your garden empowered you to just start. For more tips, recipes, and inspiration that empowers your everyday life follow along on instagram 🙂

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