Gardening has been the one thing I have somehow managed to keep as a priority. You would think the fifth little one would have finally forced me to give up. But thanks to my amazing husband, mostly cooperative kids and some stellar time management, I can keep doing this one thing that brings me so much peace.
Whether you have vegetable gardens or flower gardens, you have one or ten, these tips will help you plan for the perfect display with great results.
Step 1 – Make A Plan
No, you can’t just make a list of the things you want and roll. You really need to sit down with that list, think about sunlight, climate zones and create an actual map. And it is actually best to slowly devise this plan over an entire summer and plan on waiting to implement the next year. You’ll see why as you read on.
Because each plant blooms at different times depending on growth rate and planted date, create a numbered list. But don’t overdo it. I keep my zones down to five: Early Spring, Mid-Late Spring, Early-Mid Summer, Mid-Late Summer, Early Fall. Â
You may also need to zone each garden according to sunlight. Different plants thrive in different sun exposure conditions. And part of each garden my experience different amounts of direct sunlight.
If you have flower gardens, pay attention to planting and bloom dates to make sure you have flowers all summer long. And think about plant colors, types, widths and heights. Whether you want a more uniformed look or something that lends itself to a natural oasis look, this is when you determine how that will happen.
If your doing a vegetable garden, create a schedule based on yield estimates on the packaging. You probably don’t want all of your cucumber plants producing at the same time, so space out planting dates for each plant to ensure fresh cucumbers all summer.
Step 2 – Covering The Voids
 This step might be the easiest, but the importance is often overlooked. Whether you’re using rock, mulch or a more natural looking filler from your yard, you need to decide on color contrast. Maybe you want it all to blend or you want there to be a stark difference in appearance. Consider what plants you want first and then go from there.
If you’re just working on filling in your vegetable garden, there are a ton of options. Everything from grass clippings to White Pine needles to newspaper. But, be careful because choosing the wrong filler may throw off your soil’s PH-balance. It’s best to talk to your local garden center to find the perfect choice.
Step 3 – Weed Control
 A lot of people have opinions on this one. Especially if you’re talking vegetable gardens. After all, nobody wants to eat poison. The problem is finding the perfect solution that keeps weeds at bay while not toxifying your plants. Another issue is that not every product is designed for your area… especially if you’re buying it at Lowe’s or Home Depot. Again, the best solution is to talk to your local garden center.
Step 4 – Pest Control
 See advice under Step 4 and apply the same logic here. Again, it depends on where you live and what’s crawling and flying around. Don’t know what else to tell you about this one.
Step 5 – Maintenance
Many plants need little or no care once established. However, this rule rarely applies to the majority. Read the packaging that comes with your seeds, seedlings or plants and follow it to a tee. This should include information on watering, trimming, harvesting and even pests.
Another thing to keep in mind is nearby lawn care. If you’re using chemicals or fertilizers, they can find their way into your gardens and wreak havoc. And even if you don’t use any lawn treatments, just cutting the grass and blowing the clippings into your garden, carrying with them weeds and… their seeds.
Step 6 – Add Your Personal Touch
 This can be absolutely anything you want as long as it is capable of surviving the elements. For me, it is a statue of Saint Francis of Assisi. Maybe it’s because my parents had one in their flower garden. Or maybe it was the multiple versions my grandmother kept in hers. Or maybe it just helps remind me that, like Saint Francis showed us by his example, we need to remove the noise in life and replace it with an immersion of ourselves into in God’s creation.
But if for you, it is a garden gnome, roll with it. It really doesn’t matter what it is as long as it serves as a mood enhancer. I even remember seeing a rusted-out car engine as the centerpiece in the center of a pile of rose bushes in my childhood neighbor’s yard. I have no idea what the meaning for them was, but that’s not important. Thinking back on it now just makes me smile. That’s what they wanted and that’s how it should be.
Lastly, consider adding a bench or swing. It doesn’t matter how small your garden is or even if it’s a vegetable garden. There are going to be times you'll need to take a break or just sit back and admire your surroundings.Â
 Step 7 – Get Your Loved Ones Involved
 To me, this one is a no-brainer. Some of my favorite childhood memories were in my parent’s and grandparent’s gardens. I remember my grandfather, bringing me out to weed and remove rocks around his tomato plants and green beans and then encouraging me to take frequent breaks by sampling the freshest produce possible. I remember my mom letting me use the electric hedge trimmer for the first time to prepare for Fall when I was probably around 6 or 7. Not positive on the age, but I do remember thinking I was way to young because I was both so scared and so excited at the time. And I remember assembling one of those Adirondack-styled bench swings with my dad, who let me use power tools I’m sure I shouldn’t have been using.
Whatever your garden needs, make the kiddos come out and help out. They’ll learn so many valuable tips, tricks and more importantly, life lessons. And at the very least, it’s a break from their screens. And in time, hopefully they’ll prefer being outside, spending valuable time with their family. And what’s more important than that?!