Spring Garden Planning: Getting to Know Your Garden

Spring is just around the corner here in the Midsouth, and with the warming temperatures, our thoughts start turning toward spring planting. Whether you’re planning a brand new garden or landscaping project or simply making changes to an existing garden, one of the first and most important steps in a successful gardening season is getting to know your unique growing space. Here are a few tips to help you get the process started, but remember, gardening is one of those things we learn by doing. Even long-time gardeners learn from new mistakes each season! With the right attitude, you’ll grow as a gardener right alongside your favorite plants.

Tip #1: Observe your light conditions

Is your garden situated in full sun, part sun, part shade, or full shade? Does it face North or South? Try to monitor how many hours of light your garden space receives per day, as that will help you choose plants that will thrive in your garden plot.

Tip #2: Watch the water flow

Does your garden space become a bog following periods of heavy rainfall? Does your yard drain toward the garden space you’re observing? Then your garden space probably tends toward the wet-side, especially if the soil contains heavy clay. While this can be changed to some extent with a drainage system or soil amendment, it’s good to know the overall condition of your space before you select plantings.

Is your garden situated under large trees? Does it sit at the top of a hillside? In this case, depending on the soil type in your garden, you may have dryer conditions to take into account when choosing plants for your garden.

Tip #3: Test your soil

Have you ever noticed the way some soil drains water quickly while other soil seems to hold water for longer periods of time? Do you have areas of your garden or yard that seem more fertile than others? Investigating your soil and following up on those findings with the proper soil amendments is one of the best ways to ensure a successful gardening season. Simple soil tests are readily available online, and more in-depth soil testing is generally available through your local extension office for a small fee. These soil tests will often describe both the composition and nutrient density of your particular soil sample. With this information in hand, you’ll be able to add the appropriate soil amendments and fertilizers to provide just what your garden needs for another growing season.

Tip #4: Measure your space

Have you ever purchased a piece of furniture only to find that it doesn’t fit well inside your home? The same thing can happen in garden spaces! Break out your tape measurer to take an accurate measure of your garden space before you begin the planning process. While you’re outside, make sure to look overhead, too, to note any height restrictions you may encounter, like overhead lines, etc. Knowing exactly how much space you’re working with will help you select both the right kind of plants and the quantity you’ll need to fill the space well without either spacing plants too sparsely or too tightly.

Now that you’ve gotten to know your space, you’re ready for the fun part: choosing your plants!