5 questions to consider before starting a garden- How?
Welcome to the 5th and last post of this series. We will discuss the “how” of starting a garden, from choosing a location to the installation.
Let’s be honest. You could grab a shovel, dig a hole in your yard, plant some seeds and call it a garden. And I would cheer you on and hope you truly enjoy it! However, this kind of “set up” (or lack thereof) would be a lot more work to maintain, it would produce less, and it wouldn’t be very aesthetically appealing.
So, how do you start a garden?
You have two main ways to do it: DIY or a turnkey installation.
What are the pros and cons of these two options?
Do It Yourself approach:
Pros:
Saving money by doing all the work yourself.
Satisfaction of learning a new skill and accomplishing a project by yourself.
Cons:
A lot of time spent into the decision-making, the research of materials and vendors, coordinating the purchase and delivery of materials.
Physical labor of the install and construction of the garden area and raised bed.
Possible steps overlooked and having to “undo” the work to get it done correctly.
A turnkey installation is when you choose to hire someone to build your entire garden space from start to finish.
Pros:
It saves you time and lots of decisions. You will still select some of the materials like the color of the rocks and the height of raised beds (with the guidance of your garden coach), but you won’t have the burden of finding vendors or schedule deliveries.
No physical labor or needing to get new tools/machinery.
Cons:
The cost will be greater up front.
Having workers in your space.
Whether you choose a DIY approach or a turnkey installation, I recommend a garden design consultation as the first step. It will help you select the best location for a garden, along with a guide about seasonal planting and other gardening tips.
The set up of your garden will contribute to over 75% of its success.
Some things to consider if you choose a DIY approach:
Sunlight is crucial! If you want your garden to thrive, select a place in your yard that gets 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. If possible, have your garden facing the south, for more sunlight after the summer solstice.
Soil: A soil rich in compost will feed your plants throughout the growing season. You can make your own garden soil blend (1/3 carpenter sand- not play sand, 1/3 top soil, 1/3 compost). If you buy bags of soil, look at the ingredients to make sure there is no synthetic fertilizer. You can add compost and a natural fertilizer to your garden, especially if you have grown more than one or two seasons in your current soil.
Water: The best water option for the garden is rain water, but that might not be all set up in your space. Choose the location of your garden near a water source. It will make watering your plants a lot more convenient.
I recommend growing in a cedar raised bed. You won’t have to amend the soil and you can plant more intensively.
Whichever way you choose to set up your garden, it is a good thing to start! Have a gardening mindset- one that will keep learning and experimenting with new techniques and new plants year after year. As we close this 5 part series, I encourage your to:
Know your “why.”
Don’t wait too long for the perfect circumstances to choose “when” you will start a garden.
Dream about “what” you will grow.
Plan for “how much” time and money you can dedicate to this healthy endeavor.
Consider “how” you will implement it.
Let’s raise gardens all over the place!