Using a Garden Plan to Organize Your YardA garden plan will help you organize and visualize the ideas that you have for your backyard. This is crucial regardless of whether you're using paper and pencils or software like EdrawMax. It will allow you to ensure that your garden is what you'd like it to be.Most vegetables grow best in a sunny area near water to allow for irrigation. Many gardeners agree that it is ideal to plant rows north/south to avoid taller plants from shading shorter ones.Sun and ShadeWhen you plant your garden, it's crucial to consider how much shade or sun each spot receives. If you plant a sun-loving plant in a shady spot it won't flourish and could not flower well. A shade-loving flower placed too close to sun's rays will eventually burn and die.The cardinal directions as well as the position of large trees and buildings can affect how much sun each section of your lawn receives. A good way to determine the light levels in your yard is to draw an sun map. Observe this spot for about an hour or so a day. Make sure to consider shadows cast by tall structures and tall plants. Over the course of several days take note of when each spot receives direct sunlight and for how long.Consider the possibility of limbing a tree when you're struggling with full shade. This can help reduce the shade. This process allows more sunlight to reach the lower branches, and makes shaded areas look healthier. You can also use containers to grow flowers and herbs in shaded areas. Annuals that are planted directly in the ground will have a harder to grow and won't flower as beautifully as those planted in containers. The Old Farmer's Almanac Garden Planner makes it simple to choose plants that are suitable for shaded areas. Select the 'Partial Shade-Tolerant' filter to see all the possibilities.WaterThis strategy is based on plants that are able to withstand with little irrigation to keep water usage within the garden in check. Nature-designed drought-tolerant plants have specific features that help them survive, like thick succulent leaves that hold in moisture and a slight fuzz that clings to the morning dew. Begin by penciling in shrubs and perennials. Larger plants require more space than other plants which is why they should be planted first. It's best to hold off on adding any border decorations like mulch or stepping stones, until the garden is complete. These elements add up quickly and are often costly to install.CompostComposting your garden can improve the soil's health by increasing its nutrient content and moisture content. Compost introduces soil microbes which suppress pathogens, reduce diseases and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. Compost is created by decomposing organic material - including pet waste, plant clippings and viable food scraps into a humus rich in nutrients that functions as a natural plant fertilizer.The best place to start your compost pile is on bare soil instead of in a bin. This will allow worms and beneficial organisms to enter the pile. Add a few inches straw or twigs over the ground to help aerate the compost and slow its breakdown. Ideally, the pile should be situated in shade, and located in an area that has a good drainage. Avoid placing a compost heap in a dry or shady area that could attract rodents.Try to achieve the ratio of 2 to three parts carbon-rich substances (browns) to one part nitrogen-rich substances (greens). Alternate layers using brown and green ingredients. Avoid adding large quantities of one type of ingredients such as all of your leaves at one time. This can limit air flow and cause the pile of ingredients to become too hot. garden plants to traditional compost piles is to dig a trench to hold the ingredients and then cover it with garden soil. This method is used to grow vegetables such as climbing beans in rows. The nutrient-rich, moisture-retentive compost assists in feeding the plants and promotes vigorous growth and bumper yields.FertilizerPhotosynthesis is the process by which plants create their own food. However, it takes time. Man-made fertilizers are used to provide nutrients when the plant food is unavailable or depleted. Most commercial fertilizers have nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Certain commercial fertilizers also contain other elements that are beneficial however in smaller amounts. These include calcium and magnesium.Fertilizers can be found as natural and artificial products However, it's essential to read labels to determine the most suitable one for your garden and soil type. Certain fertilizers can contain insect or weed control chemicals, which can also have a negative impact on the environment, but they must be used in conjunction with the fertilizer to avoid undesirable effects.Before purchasing seeds or transplants, spend time to determine the crops that are most appealing to you and how much of your area you can devote to a garden. Determine your hardiness zone and think about what kinds of vegetables thrive in that zone. Plan to rotate crops to increase soil fertility and crop yield.A garden plan can aid in determining the best locations of borders, beds, pathways and garden structures. raised garden beds will make it easier to avoid confusion and also save time. Additionally, it gives you a chance to mark on the scale plan what types of hardscape and softscape elements you want in your garden. For instance, you could incorporate some clever pergola ideas to create shade or a seating area in the sun and some pathways that are paved or gravel between your vegetables.Pests and DiseasesPests and diseases can affect a plant, even if gardeners generally enjoy it. Many pest and disease problems can be prevented by using simple strategies.Start with an agro-soil that is healthy and well-drained. The more nutritious your soil is, the better the plants are able to withstand damage caused by fungi, virus and bacteria. Incorporate regular fertilization with organic matter, such as compost to help encourage the growth of populations of microbes as well as other organisms that help promote healthy plants.Plant a variety of plants that attract beneficial insects. These beneficial insects feed on pests that would otherwise eat or pollinate your crops. By attracting these natural predators to your garden will decrease the amount of pesticides that you need to use and will prevent aphids and caterpillars from devastating your garden.Examine your plants on a regular basis for signs of pests or disease infestations. Check for damaged leaves, thin growth and discoloration or wilting of stems, leaves, and flowers. These are the first indications of a problem in a plant. It is important to treat them promptly to avoid an outbreak.Identify the kind of pest or disease that is causing the issue, and take action to correct it. If your tomato plants show brown spots, check for indications of verticillium or nematodes. These diseases are spread through pests. They can kill quickly the tomato crop.ToolsA garden plan will aid you in organizing your garden from the kind of plants you can plant in the border, to the best time to harvest. It can aid you in staying on top of important tasks like fertilizer application, watering, and the control of pests. On the internet, you will find a variety of free programs to plan your garden. These are perfect for those who aren't experienced or for anyone looking to get the most out of their garden space.Some of these plans come with pre-designed templates to help you start and others let you start from scratch. Most allow you to zoom in and out and move around the drawing to create it exactly as you'd like it. You can also create fences, sprinkler systems walls, and plants.The tool for browsing on the web from Anglian Home was originally designed as a guide for vegetable growers however, it has since evolved into a powerful interactive online tool which can be used to design any kind of garden . It will guide you through the process of selecting vegetables and plants that thrive in your climate, offering you top tips for successful harvesting and planting. It will also analyze the weather conditions in your region to help you choose the most suitable dates for planting and harvesting.This garden planner is geared towards trees and flowers than vegetables, but it is worth checking out. This garden planner makes use of 3D rendering to give you a birds' eye view of your yard.