Early Gardening Preparation

Spring is just around the corner. It's time to start preparing for your garden. Whether it it a vegetable garden, or flowers, early preparation can be very worthwile and productive.

Depending on the area you live in, you may benefit from starting your plants inside approximately 1 to 2 months prior to the date you can plant outdoors. Always plant plenty of seeds due to the attrition rate...not all of them will live. (If they DO all live, friends, neighbors and family will love receiving the extras from you!) Give your plants plenty of sunlight and water, but remember...they are inside and the water doesn't get absorbed or evaporate as it would outside. They should need watering as often as your houseplants, approximately once a week. If your plants "follow the sun", or lean in the direction of the light source, turn the plants away fom the sun a couple of times a week. This will make the main stem stronger, and you will have a much hardier plant.

Preparation of the soil for the outdoor garden is a very important step, as this provides the nutrients required for a productive garden. If you have the space for it, a composter is the best way to add nutrients to your garden. If you don't have the space for it, compost, steer manure, and peat moss can be purchased from your local retailer. All of these items have a specific function, so it's important to use as many of them as you can. You may need to adjust the amounts you use of each, depending on the soil type you have. For example, if your soil is sandy, you will need twice as much peat moss as compost or manure. These three components will turn sandy soil into rich, productive soil. It is best to mix these things into the soil as early as possible (after fall harvest is best) so they have time to break down and make the minerals and nutrients your garden will thrive on. If you missed fall harvest, do it as early in the spring or late winter as you can. Depending on garden size, mix by hand or rototiller. For a wonderful compost alternative...http://http://Click Here!" target="_top">Click Here!

Make a layout of the plants you intend to have in your garden. Some flowers grow very tall, and shouldn't be planted in from of shorter flowers. Some vegetables require a large area to spread out. Your seed packet should tell you what size your plants will grow to. Plan your planting s that the plants aren't "fighting" each other to grow. For a real variation to your planting...http://http://Click Here!" target="_top">Click Here!

Be prepared for water delivery to the garden. Depending on how large your garden is, there are several options for watering. My favorite is the old, reliable hand watering. Use this time as an excuse to let your mind wander, observe the wildlife, and just enjoy the warmer weather. However, if you have a larger garden, you may want to explore different watering options, such as irrigation or multiple sprinkler installation. And remember, summer sun and atmospheric conditions will dictate how often and how much you need to water. Want to grow big, wonderful tomatoes?....http://http://Click Here! " target="_top">Click Here!

Gardening is a great way to get exercise and sun, not to mention lots of beautiful flowers and vegetables. Preparing early to plant your garden will keep the process organized and will allow you more time to enjoy the many rewards later in the year.