June 2006, Volume 4 Number 1

One of the rites of spring is planting those first bulbs or seeds in anticipation of a flourishing garden during the warmer months.  But backyard pests, who have spent the winter eagerly waiting to ravage your garden, also look forward to blooming flowers and tasty vegetables.  Fortunately, with the proper knowledge and techniques, your garden will flourish and be insect-free.

As you plan your garden, an essential part is deciding what to plant.  Do you want your garden to create a pleasant ambiance, with beautiful roses and bursting sunflowers?  Or do you want it to serve a more practical purpose and include fruits and vegetables?

According to master gardener Sally Waxgiser of the University of Florida in Marianna, Fla., gardeners should start preparing their gardens early in March, by gently tilling the soil.  While it is best to plant perennials in the fall, “you should plant your annuals by the end of April, after tax day,” recommends Waxgiser.

Now is the time to start planting vegetables to harvest in the warm months.  Be careful not to plant them too early, or else your seeds will be damaged by the cold or a late freeze.  Conversely, planting seeds too late will not give them a chance to grow correctly, putting your plants at risk of insects and disease. 

When you have decided what to plant, consider where to plant.  The key is to make the most of your space, which is why it is important to plan your garden before you begin planting.

Choose an area that is conducive to your plant life.  Good soil — loose, level, and fertile — is an important part of any garden.  If possible, avoid sandy soil or clay.  If needed, you can add organic topsoil to less than desirable soils.  By planting your garden in a healthful soil, the risk of insect infestation lessens, as does that of disease.

Insects thrive in rotting wood and breed in patches with lots of weeds.  A good tip to fight unwanted growth in your garden is to lay mulch in between rows of vegetables.  This inhibits weed growth and lessens the amount of pests in and around your garden.

After choosing a good location for your garden, draw a layout of how you want it to look.  Where do you want each plant to lie?  Map out the length of each row and location of each vegetable and be conscious how much sunlight, moisture and air your plants will get.

Having access to ample sunlight is important to the growth of your garden.  Stay away from plots of land that have trees or shrubbery, as they compete with your garden for sunlight and nutrients that are essential to your plants.  If possible, locate your garden near a water supply, making it easier to provide moisture to your garden.

The size of your garden is important to think about, as well.  When planning your garden, take into consideration the growing potential of your plants.  A crowded garden will inhibit the growth of plants.  Often, Waxgiser notes, people fail to take into account the size of a plant.  “Don’t find a plant for a spot,” she says.  “Find a spot for a plant.”