Planning a Garden

1. Planning a Garden

2. 7.01 – Plan a garden

3. Research Plan for the location of the garden. • Include • Sun • Shade • water • air

4. Raised Beds • Raised beds are typically made of wood and are at least twelve inches in height. • They are convenient for watering and harvesting. • The gardener can create a good quality soil mix. • Raised beds allow the gardener to grow more crops in a given area.

5. Raised Beds Cont. • Raised beds have less soil compaction than flatbed plantings. • Raised beds can be set up on any surface such as concrete or porches. • Raised beds can be built to make it accessible to elderly or handicapped individuals.

7. Flat bed • Flat bed - the most tradition way to plant vegetables is in rows. • Usually a two foot gap is left between each row for easy watering and harvesting. • One disadvantage of flatbed planting is it consumes a lot of space.

9. Container • Container gardens are easy to make, manage and add beauty to any area. • Examples of containers • Whiskey barrels • Washtubs • Plastic or clay pots • Wooden crates • Baskets • Make sure your containers have holes in the bottom for water drainage. • Container garden takes up a small amount of space.

11. Roof Top Cont. • Enlist the assistance of an architect or landscape contractor. • Use as little weight as possible. • Incorporate windbreaks into the garden design. • Consider ease of watering and harvesting plants from your roof top garden.

12. Roof Top • Roof top gardens make good use of unused or wasted space. • They are expensive to establish. • Check local ordinances before you begin for rules and regulations.

14. Vertical garden • Vertical gardening saves valuable garden space. • Vertical structures have a tendency to cast shadow. Watch the sun’s movement for several days before planting. • Examples of vertical gardening structures. • Trellis • Arbors • String poles • Teepees • Cages

16. Other Things to Know • Soil needs determined by what plants you select. • Soil amendments are determined by what plants you select. • Soilless mixes are determined by what plants you select. • Soil (natural) is determined by what plants you select.

17. Plan For…. Season • Fall • Winter • Spring • Summer Type of plants • Annual • Perennial • Vegetable • Flower

18. 7.02 – Establish a garden

19. Seeds • Fall • Vegetable seeds such as lettuce, kale, mustard, broccoli, cabbage, collards, radish and onions are examples of cool season crops. • Winter • Vegetable seeds (mid-February through early March) such as carrots, onions, peas, potatoes, turnip, lettuce and radish are examples of cool season crops. • Spring • Vegetable seeds such as beans, corn, pumpkin (harvest in the fall) and cucumber will are examples of warm season crops. • Summer • Vegetable seeds to plant are brussel sprouts, okra, beans, cucumbers, kale and radish are examples of summer crops. 

20. Plants • Fall • Vegetable plants such as broccoli, cabbage, lettuce and onions (sets) are examples of cool season crops. • Winter • Vegetable plants such as lettuce and spinach are examples of cool season crops. • Spring • Vegetable plants such as tomatoes, peppers, squash and cucumbers are examples of warm season crops. • Summer • Vegetable plants such as okra, cauliflower, cucumbers and kale are examples of summer crops.

21. Maintain • Stake plants as needed in the garden. • Control pests • Keeping your garden clean of debris and dead plants. • Check for pest problems and practice non chemical methods to control pests. • Harvest plants as they mature. • Do not let plants over ripen or decay on the plant as this will lead to pest issues.