The last frost date is well on its way for most of Canada, which means that it’s time to start planning your home garden. Although you could just throw plants wherever they fit, the best gardens come from a well-thought-out plan. You need to chart out your ideal layout, figure out what plants to grow, and then get to work putting all the plants in the ground. To help you get started, here’s a how-to guide to creating a garden space that you’re bound to adore.
Determine the Purpose
Your first order of business is determining the purpose of your garden. Do you want to grow food for your family and community?
Or perhaps you just want to smell the lovely scent of blooming flowers all across your property? Or maybe, you simply want to skip the grass in favour of native vegetation to support the birds, bees, and other local wildlife?
Whatever your purpose is, it will guide the creation of your perfect garden space. So, take the time to reflect on this before moving onto the next steps.
Plan Your Layout
Once you have the purpose of your garden in mind, you can take an honest look at your property to find your ideal layout. Think about where you want your garden spaces and which hardscaping elements are a must.
Do you want simple garden beds along the perimeter of your house? Would you like to fill the backyard with tons of raised beds? The sky is the limit in what you can do.
To figure it out, walk your property and think about how you would like to fill it with small plants, shrubs, and even trees. Then, take stake flags and mark out the perimeter of each garden bed. Record the measurements as well for use in the next step.
Create a Plant Chart
After figuring out where your garden beds will go, you can create a plant chart. You’ll want to start with a blank notebook filled with graphing paper. Plot out each bed on the graphing paper, allotting at least a two-by-two square for each square foot in the bed.
Then, using the main purpose of your garden as a guide, start figuring out which plants you want to put in each bed. Use a reference guide to see how much room they need and how tall they will get. Put the tallest plants at the back of the bed, so the littlest of the group can get enough sunshine.
Remember to pay close attention to companion planting recommendations as well to get the most out of your garden. Certain plants do not play well together, after all, while others thrive greatly when placed in the same space.
If you’re growing tomatoes, for example, then throw basil in nearby to repel pests and help with pollination. Plus, at the end of the growing season, you’ll already be halfway to a wickedly good caprese salad.
Put in Your Plants
With your plant chart in hand, you can zip over to the local nursery to get your seedlings. Although you can start your plants from seed if you begin early enough in the season, getting seedlings lets you establish the garden space much faster.
Remember to space out the plants to account for their full-grown size and water right after putting them into the ground. Wait about a week after transplanting, and then give them a fertilizer that’s high in phosphorous.
After that, all you have to do is water them according to their exact needs. Since every plant is different, you’ll have to look into the care instructions for each type you choose to figure out how to keep them growing strong.
As you move through these steps, you’ll slowly see your dreams of having a gorgeous garden space become a reality. Your efforts will undoubtedly result in a tranquil space all your own, giving you a place to retreat away from it all at the end of a long week.
Whether you’re upgrading your garden or installing a new addition, it’s always smart to check on your homeowner’s insurance coverage when doing home improvements. You can give us a call at 1-844-929-4768 to check your coverage levels and make adjustments as needed. Our team at Wayfarer Insurance Group is always here to make sure that you have your ideal level of protection.
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