Using a Garden Plan to Organize Your YardA garden plan will help you organize and visualize the plans you have for your garden. It doesn't matter if you use pencil and paper or a computer program such as EdrawMax This step will help you ensure that your garden is what you envision.Most vegetables do best in a sunny area that is near to water for irrigation. Many gardeners agree that it's best to plant rows north/south to avoid taller plants shading shorter ones.Sun and ShadeWhen you plant your garden, it's crucial to consider how much shade or sun the area gets. If you plant a sun-loving flower in a shady spot it won't flourish and might not bloom as well. On the other hand, a shade-loving flower that is planted in a sunny area will burn 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 gets. One way to gauge the light levels in your yard is to draw an sun map. Take note of this area for an hour or two a day. Make sure to take into account shadows created by tall plants and structures. Over the course of a few days Note when each area receives direct sunlight and for how long.If you're struggling with a lot of shade, think about climbing up the tree to reduce the shade. This lets more sunlight penetrate the lower branches, making shady areas appear healthier. Try using containers to grow flowers or herbs in shady spots; annuals that are planted directly in the ground will have a tougher time growing and will not bloom as beautifully as those planted in containers. The Old Farmer's Almanac Garden Planner makes it easy to select crops that are suitable for shady areas. Simply click on the "Partial Shade Tolerant' filter on the selection bar to view the options.WaterThis strategy is based on plants that are able to withstand with only minimal irrigation to keep water usage within the garden in check. Nature has equipped drought-tolerant plants with features that make them more resilient. They have the thick succulent leaves that hold moisture and a slight fuzzy layer that holds morning dew. Begin by penciling in the plants and shrubs. Planting larger plants first is ideal because they require more space. It's best to hold off on adding any border decorations such as mulch or stepping stones, until the garden is completed. These items can add up quickly, and are usually expensive to put in.CompostComposting your garden will improve the soil's quality by increasing its nutrient content and moisture content. Compost can introduce soil microbes that suppress pathogens, reduce diseases and decrease the need for chemical fertilisers. homes gardens is produced by the decomposition of organic materials, like pet waste, plant trimmings, and edible food scraps. This creates a humus that is rich and can be used to fertilize plants.It is more beneficial to start your compost pile on the ground instead of in the form of a bin. This will allow beneficial worms and organisms to be able to get into the pile. Put a few inches of straw or twigs on the dirt to aid in aerating the compost and slow down its breakdown. The ideal place for the pile is to be shaded and in an area that has a good drainage. Avoid putting a compost pile in a dry or shaded location that can attract rodents and other insects.Try to achieve homes gardens of two and three parts of carbon-rich (browns) and one part of nitrogen-rich (greens). Alternate layers using green and brown ingredients. Avoid adding large amounts of one kind of ingredient, such as all of your leaves at one time. This can limit air flow and cause the heap of ingredients to get too hot.Digging a trench in order to hold the ingredients, then covering it with garden soil is a variation of the traditional compost pile. This method is used to cultivate vegetables such as climbing beans in rows. The nutrient-rich, moisture-retentive compost helps to feed the plants and encourages vigorous growth and huge yields.FertilizerPlants make their own food by photosynthesis, however this process takes time. When natural plant food is not available or depleted, manmade fertilizer can be used to supplement nutrients. Most commercial fertilizers are composed of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Certain commercial fertilizers also contain other elements that are beneficial however in smaller amounts. These include magnesium and calcium.Both natural and artificial fertilizers are available, however you should be sure to read the labels to find out which one is best for your garden. Some fertilizers contain chemicals which can have a negative impact on the environment. These are best used in a separate manner to avoid negative adverse effects.It is important to take your time before purchasing seeds or plants to determine which crops you are most interested in and how much area you have to devote to gardening. Determine your zone of hardiness and think about what kinds of vegetables thrive in that area. Plan to rotate crops to improve the fertility of the soil and increase yields.A garden plan will also assist you in determining the locations of borders, beds and pathways, as well as garden structures. This will aid in avoiding confusion and help you save time. Also it gives you a chance to sketch out on the scale sketch out the kinds of softscape and hardscape elements you'd like to include in your garden. For example, you might incorporate some clever pergola ideas to create shade or a seating area in the sun and some paving or gravel paths between your vegetables.Pests and DiseasesDiseases and pests can be detrimental to a plant, even if gardeners generally enjoy it. Many diseases and pests can be prevented by using simple strategies.Start with a healthy, well-groomed soil. The more nutrient-rich your soil is, the better your plants will be able to resist damage by bacteria, fungi and viruses. Include regular additions of organic matter like compost to encourage thriving populations of microbes and other organisms that aid in promoting the health of your plants.Plant a variety of plants that will draw beneficial insects. starting a garden feed on pests that would otherwise devour or pollinate your plants. By attracting these natural predators to your garden will reduce the amount of pesticide you have to use and will prevent caterpillars and aphids out of your vegetables.Examine your plants on a regular basis for signs of pests or disease-related infestations. Be on the lookout for wilted or discolored leaves, stems, and flowers. These are usually the first signs that something is wrong with a plant and should be treated promptly to prevent an outbreak.Identify what type of disease or insect is causing the problem and take corrective action. For instance, if your tomato plants suffer from brown spots, look at the roots for signs of nematodes fusarium or verticillium. All diseases that can be brought in by pests, and can quickly kill your crop.ToolsA garden plan will help you organize your gardening from the types of plants you can plant in the border to the best times to harvest. You can also stay on top of essential chores such as watering, pest control and fertilizer application. On the internet, you will find a variety of free programs to plan your garden. They are great for novice gardeners who aren't experienced or anyone looking to make the most of their garden space.Some of these plans come with pre-designed templates that give you an idea of the layout Some let you start from scratch. Most allow you to zoom in and out and move around the drawing to make it exactly the way you'd like it to be. You can also design sprinkler systems, fences walls, plants and walls.The tool for browsing on the web from Anglian Home was originally designed to be a reference guide for vegetable gardeners, but has transformed into a highly interactive online tool that can be used to design any kind of garden. It will guide you in selecting the best plants and vegetables that thrive in your climate and give the best tips on how to plant and harvest effectively. It will also look at the conditions in your area to give you the best timings for planting and harvesting. gardening vegetable is designed towards trees and flowers than vegetables, but it's worth a look. This garden planner uses 3D rendering to give you a birds' eye view of your backyard.