Planning our first raised garden at Apricity House

The ground is frozen. Not much is alive. It is the perfect time to start thinking of spring. I love getting to pour over seed catalogs on winter’s evenings and think about all the unique and delicious plants I could grow. This year is especially exciting as I am planning our first garden at Apricity house. The first garden I have had in my own yard!

Planning a garden doesn’t have to be hard, but it helps to have an idea of what you will plant where and when and, at least for me, when I have a plan I am much more likely to actually get things done! I recommend starting a garden journal. This can house your garden plan from year to year and help you look back to see what you planted, what worked, what didn’t and what you love about all your gardening. Here is how I outline my garden plan.

Start your plan with a list of plants. What do you want to grow? Things that you enjoy eating, things that are hard to find, things that just look cool. I start with just the basic names, and then go back for the fun part and find the specific varieties to write next to them. When selecting varieties, I suggest considering heirlooms. If you choose these you will be able to save seed in the fall and replant the following spring! Additionally, I personally try to incorporate at least one new variety each year. Different varieties not only have different tastes, but can also grow better depending on your growing conditions.

Add a basic calander. You don’t need to be too specific. I write out all the months of my planting and growing season. Then I write key dates: when to start seedlings in doors and which plants I will start indoors, when I will plant outside based on last frost date for my growing region, when I will plant a second crop (for example a spring and fall planting of lettuce), when the first frost will be for reference for the end of growing season and garden wind down. If you don’t stick to these specific dates, that is ok, but it can be helpful, especially if you are trying to maximize your plantings and growing season to have a rough idea at the beginning of these dates.

Draw a layout. Identify and visualize what plants will be planted in your beds. Begin with the rough dimensions. Choose what plants you want to grow in each bed. Consider what areas of the garden are most shaded and what vegetables you are growing do best in shade and sun. Plant sections of each bed with herbs to help with natural pest control. Divide the bed into rough sections based on the desired quantities you want to grow. Finally write the name of the plant in that section.

Leave a space for notes. As you plant and grow your garden come back to your plan and journal about your garden. Take note of what grows well, and what doesn’t. Record new gardening methods you tried. Highlight varieties you want to plant again.

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And now you have your very own garden planned out! What are your garden goals for this year? For us this year we are focusing on growing a lot of tomatoes and leafy greens as well as trying winter squash for the first time. I’m excited to see what grows and can’t wait to share it with you!