Using a Garden Plan to Organize Your YardA garden plan can help you plan and visualize the plans you have for your yard. It doesn't matter if you use pencil and paper or a software program like EdrawMax, this step will assist you in ensuring that your garden is exactly what you imagine it to be.Most vegetables do best in a sunny spot that is near to water for irrigation. Many gardeners agree it is best to plant rows north/south to avoid taller plants shading shorter ones.Sun and ShadeIt is crucial to take into account the amount of shade or sun that a particular area gets when you are planting your garden. If you plant a flower that loves sun in a shady spot, it won't thrive and might not bloom as well. On the other hand, a shade-loving flower that is planted in too much sunlight will scorch and eventually die.The cardinal directions as well as the location of large trees and structures can affect how much sun each section of your lawn receives. gardening beginner tips to gauge the levels of light in your yard is to make a sun map. Take note of this area for an hour or so a day. Make sure to take into account shadows created by tall structures and plants. Over the course of several days take note of when each spot receives direct sunlight and for the length of time.If you're struggling with full shade, think about climbing up trees to reduce the shade. This lets more sunlight penetrate the lower branches, and makes shady areas look healthier. Containers can also be used to plant herbs, grasses, and flowers in shady areas. The annuals that are planted directly in the soil will not flower as well as ones in containers. The Old Farmer's Almanac Garden Planner makes it simple to select crops that are suitable for shady spots. Simply click the "Partial Shade Tolerant' filter on the selection bar to view the options. gardening beginner tips To keep water usage in the garden under control, this strategy relies on sturdy plants that can survive with only minimal irrigation. Nature has provided drought-tolerant plants with characteristics that allow them to survive. These include thick succulent leaves which hold moisture and a slight fuzzy coating that holds morning dew. Begin by drawing in the perennials and shrubs. Planting larger plants first is the best because they need more space. It's best to hold off on adding any border decorations like steps or mulch, until the garden is nearly complete. These items add up quickly and can be costly to install.CompostIncorporating compost into your garden can improve the quality of soil, boosting its nutrient content and moisture-holding capacity. It also introduces soil microbes that fight pathogens and reduce diseases, thus reducing the necessity for chemical fertilizers. Compost is created by decomposing organic matter - such as pet waste, plant clippings and edible food scraps - into a rich humus that serves as natural plant fertilizer.It is better to start your compost pile on bare ground instead of in a bin. This allows worms and other beneficial organisms to be able to access the pile. On top of the soil that is bare you can place straw or a few inches to help aerate and slow the breakdown of the compost. The ideal place for the pile is to be shaded and in a location with good drainage. Do not put a compost pile in a moist or shady location that will attract rodents and other pests.Try to achieve an amount of two to three parts carbon-rich materials (browns) to one part nitrogen-rich substances (greens). Alternate layers of green and brown ingredients. Avoid adding large quantities of one type of ingredients, such as all of your leaves at one time. This could impede air flow and cause the heap of ingredients to overheat.Digging a trench in order to hold the ingredients, then covering it with garden soil is a variation of the traditional compost pile. This is commonly used for vegetables like climbing beans that grow in rows. The rich, nutrient-rich and moisture-retentive compost feeds plants and encourages a vigorous growth and bumper crops.FertilizerPlants make their own food by photosynthesis, but that process takes time. Man-made fertilizers provide nutrients when natural plant food sources are not available or depleted. Most commercial fertilizers are composed of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. There are other elements that are beneficial in smaller quantities like magnesium and calcium.Both natural and artificial fertilizers are available, however you must be sure to read the labels to find the best one for your garden. Certain fertilizers may contain insecticides or weed chemicals that can affect the environment, but these should be used separately from the fertilizer to avoid unwanted effects.Before purchasing transplants or seeds, take time to decide which crops really interest you and how much area you can devote to the garden. Determine your zone of hardiness and think about what kinds of vegetables thrive in that zone. Plan to rotate your crops in order to increase the fertility of the soil and the production of crops.A garden plan will assist you in determining the location of beds, borders pathways, and garden structures. This will make it easier to avoid confusion and also save time. It can also give you the opportunity to sketch out on your scale plan the hardscape and softscape features you want in your backyard. For gardening ideas , you could create a seating space or shaded pergola within your garden. You could also add pathways made of gravel or paving stones to connect your garden plants.Pests and DiseasesPests and diseases can impact the plant, even though gardeners generally enjoy it. Many pest and disease problems can be avoided by following simple strategies.Start with a healthy soil. The more nutritious your soil is, the more your plants will be able to resist the ravages of bacteria, fungi and viruses. Include regular additions of organic matter such as compost to encourage thriving populations of microbes and other organisms that aid in promoting healthy plants.Develop a variety of plants that attract beneficial insects. These insects feed on pests that could otherwise devour or pollinate your plants. Attracting these natural predators to your garden will cut down the amount of pesticides you have to use and will prevent caterpillars and aphids out of your garden.Examine your plants on a regular basis for signs of pests or disease infestations. Check for wilted or damaged leaves, stems, and flowers. These are usually the first signs that something is wrong with a plant and should be addressed as soon as you can to prevent an outbreak.Find out what kind of insect or disease is the problem and take corrective action. For example, if your tomato plants suffer from brown spots, examine their roots for signs of nematodes fusarium or verticillium, all diseases that are spread by pests and can kill your crops quickly.ToolsA garden plan can help you plan your garden from the types of plants you want to plant along the border, to the best times to harvest. You will also be aware of important chores like watering, pest control and fertilizer application. On the internet, you can find a variety of free programs to plan your garden. These are ideal for beginners who aren't experienced or for anyone looking to make the most of their garden space.Some of these plans come with pre-designed templates to assist you in your first steps, while others let you start from scratch. Most of these garden plans allow you to zoom in or out and move the drawing around to make it exactly what you like it. You can also include boundaries, such as walls or fences, create sprinkler systems, and even plant trees, plants and bushes.This web-based application from Anglian Home began as a cheat sheet for vegetable farmers and has since evolved into a web-based tool that can be used to plan any kind of garden. It will guide you through the process of selecting vegetables and plants that thrive in your climate, and give you top tips for successful harvesting and planting. It will also analyze the weather in your area and recommend the best dates for planting and harvesting.This garden planner is targeted more toward flowers and trees than vegetables, but it's worth a look. As opposed to other garden-planning software, this one uses 3D rendering and provides a bird's-eye view of your yard.