Home Garden Planning 101

At one time, home garden vegetable gardening was primarily associated with the homestead or individual family plot of self-sufficiency and self-direction. Vegetable gardens were designed for sustenance rather than for pleasure, in accordance with the “poisonous fruits” philosophy. Over time, however, the trend has evolved to create a garden more in line with the contemporary lifestyle. Vegetable gardens are enjoying an all-time high in popularity.

Planning for a successful home garden begins with deciding what specific plants will be chosen for the garden, and how those plants will be planted. In the planning process, it is important to identify the goals for the garden. These could include limited space for planting, aesthetic appeal, specific water requirements, practical considerations, and cost considerations. Once those goals have been identified, the planning and preparations for the gardening operation can begin. This first session will provide household survey 1 course materials needed for the gardening operation.

Household survey 1 course materials include the preliminary planting design, planting zone maps, planting instructions, planting location and gardening tools. The design should reflect the needs of the garden plot, including any future growth plans. Planting location and directions should take into account existing landscape features, including walkways, driveways, patios, steps, decks, and setbacks from neighbors. Post-planting care should include periodic maintenance, including the use of mulch and weed control products, as needed.

Following the planting, the gardening operation can move on to the next step, the planting zone mapping. This final stage includes placing the planting in the planting zone, the identification of potential problems areas, and creating a maintenance plan. Placing the plants is based on their spatial relationship to one another and the desired planting zone. The planting zone should be a buffer zone between adjacent properties.

Identifying potential problems areas is based on an examination of the site condition and soil type. If not addressed, problems can become large and expensive to repair. Problems that arise during the growing season may require that the garden be removed from the area or moved to a different part of the property. Also, the position of trees and shrubs may need to be altered based on existing conditions. The depth of the planting zone should be equivalent to three to four times the width of the plot.

Planning and preparation are critical processes for a successful home garden. The initial planning stage of a garden ensures that the planting zone and planting beds are adequate for the expected growth of the garden’s plants. Following the planning process, the proper equipment, fertilizer, mulching material, and a good watering schedule to help ensure the success of the home garden.