Here at the market, we have a love affair with all plants, not just the ones we put in our bouquets! So, when it comes to gardening, we’re big proponents. If you’re thinking about starting your own garden this year, you probably know spring is the best time to start. In this post, we’ll guide you and give you tips on how to create a successful garden as spring approaches. 

Choose Your Spot Wisely:

Whether you’re planting flowers, herbs, or vegetables, many need 6-8 hours of sunlight each day, so consider finding a spot that has abundant sunshine. Don’t fret if your lot is largely shaded. There’s equally a large selection of plants that thrive in the shade. If you’re unsure, just check the plant tag or pop into the shop and ask us! Another key factor to consider is the slope of the land. If possible, choose a flat surface so water can adequately get to plants without running off. 

Clear the ground:

Measure and mark off the dimensions of your garden. Next, rake or dig the soil and add organic matter, such as leaves or compost to the fresh dirt. This will encourage healthy growth for new plants. A good rule of thumb is to only dig the soil when it’s moist enough to form a ball in your fist but falls apart when you release your grip. You may have to manually alter the soil’s moisture by either using a sprinkler or waiting for the soil to dry out if you’ve recently had heavy rain. 

Choose Your Plants:

If you’re uncertain which plants you want to grow, head to your local garden center where you’re sure to find in-season blooms and plants that strike your fancy. You’ll find containers specifically designed for seed-starting, plus in-season transplants such as vegetables and herbs. If you want to jump the gun and get your plants growing now, you can start them inside while it’s still chilly outside. Then, you can transfer them to the ground once the cold nights vanish. 

Plant Your Plants:

Now, you’re ready to grow your plants or transplants into healthy flowers, vegetables, or herbs! You likely know what to do from here: Simply dig holes based on the tag’s instructions and place your seeds or transplants into the ground. If the roots of your transplant have become tangled from resting in the container, use your fingers to untangle some before placing them in the ground. Now, all you have to do is cover it with soil and water. 

Keep Them Healthy:

Initially, you want to keep the seedlings moist at all times. As they grow, you can taper off on watering once the roots become established. As you can imagine, sandy soil dries out quicker than clay-based soil, and sunny, windy conditions make for drier soil than overcast, cool weather. When in doubt, feel the soil a few inches below the surface to determine if your flowers or plants are ready for a good watering. Adding mulch is another way to keep your plants thriving. Not only does mulch add extra moisture, but it helps keep weeds out. There’s a variety of organic mulch that will help your plants grow healthy, such as bark, compost, and even cocoa bean shells! 

Maintain Your Garden:

Last but not least, maintain your garden that you worked so hard to start. Be proactive and pull weeds before they get too big, discard dead vegetation, and use organic measures to get rid of pests. Additionally, use stakes to support large plants such as tomatoes and sunflowers to promote healthy growth. 

Will you be starting a garden this year? If so, start mapping out your plans now. As always, if you have any questions before or during the process, stop by the shop and we’ll chat about it!