Planning My Garden
In the first few weeks after purchasing our new home, I focused my attention on sunlight. Although it is currently winter, knowing which parts of my yard held the longest periods of sunlight was vital to deciding where my summer vegetable garden would have the best chance at thriving.
After keeping a keen eye on the shadows that moved about my yard throughout the course of the day, I chose my location. Starting my garden from scratch is going to come with quite a hefty soil bill, so to keep costs down, I decided to repurpose existing concrete landscaping blocks that are already scattered around the property. My first step was expanding the existing flower bed to make a more suitable space. I mapped out my line with a bit of rope and roughly followed it through the lawn.
Next came ripping out the astounding amount of landscaping fabric and gravel spread throughout the existing flower bed, and removing all the existing landscaping bushes and trees I have no need for.
With such limited space, I’m staying mindful of what I choose to grow and parting things that don’t suit my needs. I removed about 14 boxwood bushes in total and gave them to a friend who is excited to use them to line her driveway. Now with them gone, I’m free to reclaim the space and repair the soil to get things ready for planting in spring.
#gardeningideas #vegetablegarden #newhomeowner #diygarden #startingagarden
Wow, starting a garden from scratch is such an exciting journey, especially with a new home! I totally get the thrill of figuring out the perfect spot. When I planned my own small backyard vegetable garden, I spent ages just watching the sun – it’s truly the most crucial first step. Beyond just observing, I found it super helpful to sketch out my yard throughout the day, marking where the sunlight hit at different hours. There are even apps now that can help predict sun patterns for your specific location, which can save a lot of guesswork! This really helped me visualize the best spot for my rectangular vegetable garden layout, ensuring my sun-loving veggies would thrive. For those with small backyard vegetable garden layouts, don't despair! Even a tiny space can yield a fantastic harvest. Consider vertical gardening options against a sunny wall or a sturdy wooden fence. I've seen amazing setups using old pallets or repurposed shelving units. Container gardening is another fantastic choice for patios or balconies, allowing you to move plants around if needed. Square foot gardening is also brilliant for maximizing yield in a compact area – you essentially divide your raised beds into 1-foot squares and plant intensely. Speaking of beds, repurposing materials like old concrete blocks, as I did, is a genius way to save money and add character. Other ideas include using reclaimed wood for raised beds or even large, sturdy tires (just make sure they're food-safe if you're growing edibles directly in them). When outlining your new garden, a simple blue rope can be your best friend for getting those clean lines before you start digging! Once your layout is mocked up, the soil preparation begins! This is where the magic happens. After clearing out all the existing landscaping fabric, gravel, and those stubborn roots, it's vital to test your soil. Kits are readily available at garden centers. Knowing your soil's pH and nutrient levels will guide you on what amendments (like compost, aged manure, or specific fertilizers) it needs. Healthy soil means healthy plants! And for pet owners like me (my little Corgi loves to 'help'!), consider a small, decorative fence around your vegetable garden, especially if it's next to the house. It can protect young seedlings from curious paws and adds a lovely visual boundary. Seeing inspiring pictures of beautiful vegetable gardens online or in gardening books always gives me fresh ideas for design and plant combinations. Remember, even a mini vegetable garden can bring immense joy and fresh produce to your table!
So excited to see how it progresses!! You have the cutest garden helpers