With spring around the corner, it’s time to start planning your yearly garden planting. First time planting a garden? Palmer’s has made it easy for you, by offering a few helpful tips for our budding green thumbs:
Step One: Determine where you want your garden.
Ideally the perfect planting spot should receive 6-8 hrs of sunlight, have easy access to a hose for watering, and won’t catch too much wind. Don’t have a spot that meets all those requirements? Many gardeners don’t – picking the sunniest part of your yard will due just fine!
Step Two: Decide what method you’re using for growing.
Some gardeners prefer containers or raised beds while others enjoy the traditional garden bed dug into the soil. When gardening with containers, soil conditions won’t be an issue. If you’re gardening in raised beds, all grass and weeds will need to be cleared from the area. With a traditional garden, it’s important to dig an ample-sized hole and perform the following, simple soil tests:
1. The squeeze test will determine the type of soil you have. This can be done by taking a handful of moist soil and squeezing it together in your hand. When you open it, your soil will do one of three things. Ideally, you would like your hand-filled soil to crumble when poked. But, it might keep it’s form even after being poked, indicating hard soil or fall apart when you open your hand indicating sandy soil.
2. The percolation test will show any drainage problems you might have. This can simply be done by digging a hole, filling it with water, and keeping track of how long it takes to drain.
3. The worm test helps determine how healthy your soil is. Dig a whole one foot across and one foot deep and search for earthworms. If at least ten earthworms are found then you’re in good shape, if not the soil could be too acidic or alkaline.
4. The Ph test will also determine acidity levels. Don’t like the idea of digging for worms or just want a more accurate reading? Investing in a Ph test kit will provide accurate results without the mess. Ph test kits are available at Palmer’s.
Step Three: Decide what to grow.
Where you grow will ultimately decide what you grow. Stop in at Palmer’s and ask any of our staff what plants grow best in your location and climate. We’re happy to point you in the right direction!
Step Four: Determine the layout of your garden.
It’s important not to plant taller plants in a location that might potentially shade the shorter plants. Much of the rest of the layout is personal preference, but also keep in mind any fencing or wire that you’ll want to enclose your garden in. This can improve looks and helps keep critters from terrorizing all your hard work!
Step Five: Gather supplies
Make sure to have enough pots, buckets, and any other type of container when gardening with containers. With raised beds, wood, bricks, and any other items will most likely be needed. It’s probably a good idea to start ordering plants and seeds from catalogs now, so you’ll be all set in the spring. Then of course all the basics will be needed – tools like a spade, hand trowel, rake, watering can, and pruners should all be purchased ahead of time and be on hand.
Step Six: Plant and enjoy your garden!
For even more information on planting your garden, please join us at our “Under the Oak” class on March 20th. We will discuss vegetable gardens, herb gardens, and composting.
