Starting a new garden plot doesn’t need to be a challenge. By following a few easy steps, your garden plot will be ready for planting. It’s so exciting when you have a fresh start with a garden. Here at Make Their Day flowers in Cheltenham we love arranging and delivering flowers for you, but we also love relaxing in our gardens and enjoying plants that way too!
Choosing a Location for a New Garden
First, decide where you would like your new garden. Think about the type of garden or type of plants you wish to incorporate – do they need full sun or partial shade? Moist and well-drained or dry and sandy soil? Will, they spread out or be invasive, or are they small plants that don’t get very large? What do you want to accomplish with your garden: Growing vegetables, a cutting garden, herb garden, or moon garden, or simply a nice addition to your landscaping? By answering these questions, you can decide what area of your outdoor space is best for your new garden.
Prepare the New Growing Area
Next, prepare the area you wish to plant. Remove any grass or debris, or other ground coverings that will make it difficult to plant. To remove grass to be planted elsewhere, simply slice around the area with a spade, then chop into smaller squares, making a grid pattern, Then take the spade and lift up the turf, placing it in its desired location. You can also get rid of grass by smothering it with a newspaper. Lay down a few sheets of paper, then cover with soil. The newspaper and soil will kill the grass.
Improving the Soil in your New Garden by Tilling
Your soil should be as nutrient-rich as possible. One way to achieve this is to add a layer of compost. Compost can be purchased at the local nursery or home improvement store, or you can use our tips to make your own. Add a few inches of compost to the top of the soil, then incorporate it in with a tiller, which can be purchased or rented from many shops. After tilling once, you may not need to till your soil again. However, if your diet is especially clay-like, you may wish to add more compost and till again to add more nutrients to the soil.
Testing the Soil Yourself
Soil testing is essential to having a healthy new garden. Testing can determine your soil’s acidity and consistency, as well as for various nutrients. To test the soil, you can purchase a test kit at your garden centre or a local nursery, or online. An inexpensive soil test can help to prevent many common gardening problems.
Fertilising and Adding Nutrients to the Soil
If your soil is lacking in certain nutrients or you want to give your plants a jump start, fertilise after planting the first seeds or young plants have been planted. Add another layer of compost or use fertiliser specific to your soil’s needs. Starting a new garden plot doesn’t take a lot of time and can reap huge benefits in your yard.
