Start a Garden

1. PLAN

The very first thing you need to do is to plan your garden. This is one of my favorite steps because you can be creative. What do you want to grow? You can have vegetables, flowers, herbs or fruits, or any combination of these.

Research the plants you want to grow so you'll understand the needs of each plant. This is a very important step so don't skip it.

Some things to consider are: Amount of Sunlight, Amount of Water, Height and Width, & Hardiness Zones

A simple drawing of your garden area will help you visualize how to place your plants, being sure that taller plants don't shade smaller ones. If you know the growth pattern of each plant you can allow them plenty of room to grow.

2. PREPARE THE BED




The bed where your garden will be needs to be prepared so that the plants you put in it will have the best advantage possible for grow and thrive. You can prepare the bed in the fall for either fall planting or for spring planting.

First you'll need to mark the area you'll use and then remove any grass or weeds or shrubs etc. so you'll have a clean area to work in.

Then you need to either till the soil to loosen it or turn the soil over with a shovel to about the depth of the shovel.

If you are going to plant in the fall then enrich the soil with composted manure or fertilizer and any amendments needed and turn it in well. It's best if you can wait 1-2 weeks before planting to prevent burning plants or seeds.

If you are going to plant in the spring then you can began preparing the bed in the fall. To do this you can add leaves, grass clippings, manure and any amendments a soil test suggested your soil needs. These will break down during the winter and your garden will have a head start in the spring.

If you prefer though, you can wait till spring to prepared the bed. Add composted manure and amendments and turn it in well. Again, it's best to wait 1-2 weeks to plant.

3. LAY OUT AND PLANT

You have a plan on paper so use it to lay out where your plants will need to be placed. If they are potted plants then you can set them (still in the pots) in place to see how they'll look. That way you can make any adjustments you need to before you dig the holes to plant them.

If you're planting seeds then plant according to the directions on the packet. Remember to mark where you've planted and what you've planted.

If the plant will need staking, it is best to do that at planting time to avoid injuring the roots by staking later.

4. WATER AND KEEP MOIST

Now that your plants or seeds are in the ground they'll need moisture. Seeds need moisture to germinate so make sure that they don't dry out. Once germinated and you can see growth breaking the ground then you don't have to water so frequently. Just know the water requirements of the plant.

Potted plants need frequent watering too until they have gotten established and their roots are able to find moisture.

5. WATCH YOUR GARDEN GROW

Yes, this is actually a step. Don't plant and forget about your garden till time to pick the vegetables or flowers. Watch the plants to see how they are doing. Maker sure no weeds crowd them out, that they're getting enough water and that they aren't being shaded by aggressive neighbors.

Watching your garden grow is one of the best, most relaxing pastimes in the world.

Gardening is fun and enjoyable but it is hard work. If you follow these simple steps then your hard work won't be in vain and you'll be able to enjoy the fruits of your labors.

So to sum up, there is a lot to learn about gardening but these 5 steps will get you started.

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Adding Humus

What is humus? Humus is plant and animal remains which is gradually decomposed in the soil. The agents of decay are the millions of bacteria and other microscopic organisms which live in every ounce of earth. They break down dead roots and underground insects as well as fallen leaves carried below the surface by worms. Partially decomposed organic matter with the horde of living and dead bacteria is known as humus.

Soil without humus is nothing more than finely ground rock. Humus is vital because it contains and maintains the vast population of microscopic organisms in the soil. These bacteria are the key to fertility, and have a beneficial effect both before and after death.

When they are alive they produce heat and transform complex organic material into forms which will later be available to the roots. When they are dead they release these plant foods together with colloidal gums. To the soil scientist it is these gums and not plant remains which are humus - the magical material which cements the soil crumbs together.

Under natural conditions there is a rough balance which maintains the humus level of the soil. Under cultivation, however, the humus content declines and so in the garden it is necessary to regularly replenish the supply. Last year's dead plants and dead worms are not enough, you have to add humus-makers. Many types are available, and they all fall into one or other of three basic types.





Raw Humus Makers:
These organic materials contain sufficient readily-available nutrients to stimulate active bacterial growth. Heat is produced and soil structure is improved, hot beds made with fresh manure were producing early vegetables before electricity was discovered.

Common examples are grass clippings, fresh dung, dug-in weeds and seaweed. Using raw humus-makers is a good way of warming the earth and building up the humus content...provided you know the limitations. The sudden increase in the bacterial population robs nitrogen from the soil. Always add some nitrogen when using a raw humus-maker.

As a general rule, humus-makers of this type are used some time before planting or in an area some distance away from plant roots. The generation of heat and the nitrogen-robbing effect can be damaging to nearby roots.

Matured Humus-Makers:
These organic materials do not contain sufficient readily-available nutrients to stimulate active bacterial growth. A raw humus-maker is transformed into a matured humus-maker by composting - a process which produces humus.

Common examples are well-rotted animal manure, properly made garden compost and Bio Humus. The warming effect on the soil is lost, but this is outweighed by the advantages. Matured humus-makers cannot damage tender roots and the nitrogen content of the soil remains available rather than being partly locked up in bacterial bodies.

All matured compost-makers contain the colloidal gums released by dead bacteria during the composting process. Unlike the fibrous humus-makers, they do more than improve aeration and water-holding capacity by physical means, they also immediately provide the agents to produce soil crumbs and so improve the friability.

Fibrous Humus-Makers:
These organic materials are rich in cellulose, but the lack of sugars and simple starches means that little bacterial activity is stimulated. Soil improvement by these humus-makers is basically a physical effect, bark opens up the soil and peat improves aeration and water-holding capacity.

Common examples are peat, pulverised bark and sawdust. Peat is the most inactive material, it is clean and easy to handle but it is hardly a humus-maker in the true sense of the word. It resists breakdown and so crumb-forming gums are not produced.

Sawdust and some bark products are slowly broken down by bacteria. This bacterial activity requires nitrogen, and the soil's supply will be robbed if you don't add a nitrogen-rich fertilizer.

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Plastic Garden Sheds

Some of the features included in Keter sheds will include steel reinforced construction, plastic floorings with holes to securely anchor it, skylights, rain gutters, functional windows and a number of options for doors.


The ever-popular Keter Bellevue shed has wide double doors. It makes a great storage unit for lawnmowers, gardening equipment, bikes and other outdoor sporting goods, or a handy place for most anything so to make more room inside your home. They also offer many accessories for storage problem solving including shelving, brackets, and so forth.

The sizes offered will cover most any situation. They have sheds that are categorized as Big Sheds, even an XL, like the Horizon, Fortis, Apollo, Orion, and the Summit. They also offer their Infinity line, the Compact, Midi, and Mini selections.

Many of these models will also include the skylights, widows, door placement options and in different widths, rain gutters, and excellent ventilation. There are even extension kits available or extra high outdoor sheds. Truly a solution for nearly every need is offered in a Keter plastic shed.

You will find you'll have these around for awhile. That's why they come in attractive natural colors, or a Rattan design, so they will remain an attractive part of your property. The warranties will run from 7-10 years.





The materials are made of nearly 100% recyclable polypropylene, and are treated to be UV and fade resistant. They are designed to withstand up to 16 pounds per square foot for those of you in the snowy regions.

You can see why Keter plastic sheds are so popular. They're attractive and sturdy, are very low maintenance and easy to wash clean. They will withstand the elements and pests.

There are nearly endless choices with the all of the options available. If you're in need of extra storage, or just want to get better organized, you'll be most certain to find the Keter plastic garden shed to meet your needs.

We believe you'll agree with so many others that these are one of the wisest, and long-lasting. investments you can make for your home.

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Using Garden Design Software

A garden is always a lovely way to brighten or update any home's landscape. However, it can be overwhelming to plan and maintain a garden. First, one must decide not only what they wish to plant, but also consider many factors such as climate, light, and water needs to determine which plants will do well throughout the year. Then decisions on the location of the garden and how it will be laid out must be made. Using garden design software, you can design a fantastic garden for your home. Typically easy-to-use and full of great features, a home design software can take much of the guesswork out of the task, making it enjoyable from start to finish.

A garden design software will give you access to an extensive plant encyclopedia, making it a breeze to figure out which plants will flourish in your garden. Whether your garden will hold flowers, herbs, vegetables, or fruits, with a click of a button you will find volumes of information at your fingertips on thousands of plants, pinpointing specific details about each plant's light and water needs and soil and climate requirements. There is even access to information about groundcover such as specific grasses and shrubbery, allowing you to customize every bit of space exactly how you like.

Once you've chosen your plants, it can be a difficult task to figure out exactly where in your yard the garden should be, and how to arrange it. Size and dimension, as well as deciding the best spots for natural light and irrigation, become other factors to consider in planning a garden. With the help of design software, you can actually scan digital photos of your yard and landscape to visualize the exact look of your garden. As your garden grows through the seasons, there are options to update your photos and maintain your space based on each plant's growth. You can even take a panoramic, three-dimensional tour of your yard to see how it changes season to season.





Using design software is also helpful in deciding whether or not to add additional elements such as a sprinkler irrigation system or lighting. You can plan these additions by deciding the sort of sprinklers to add and even customize the range and location of water spray to ensure your plants receive the correct amount of water. You can customize pathways throughout your garden, as well as set up lighting along those pathways, or simply highlight various portions with direct spotlights.

Why hire a professional landscaper to design the garden of your dreams? By utilizing a user-friendly garden design software, you can get precisely the garden you envision while taking pride in the fact that it was one-hundred percent designed by you, and continue to enjoy and add to your garden year after year.

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Two Vital Parts of Growing Your Garden

Each fall one of the most celebrated and iconic natural displays is the changing colors of leaves. This beautiful visual show of natural color comes out in bright splashes of red, orange and yellow just before the leaves begin to fall for winter. What many don't know is that those falling leaves can actually be applied to your lawn or garden as powerful compost to help boost your plant growth!

The first step to making effective compost is to gather the leaves so they don't harm your lawn. Either use a rake or leaf-blower and gather all the leaves on your property into one area. Leaving the your fall leaves spread across your lawn can actually cause your grass and smaller plants to suffer root rot and promote the growth of dangerous molds. For this reason, it's important that you clear away fall leaves even if you aren't planning to compost them.

The second step in the composting process is to break down the leaves. The easiest way to do this is by using a shredder or chipper. If you don't have one of these available you can use a common lawnmower to shred the leaves. If you do choose to use a lawnmower be sure to attach a bag for collection. The breaking down of the leaves is an important process that facilitates the fast decay and natural breakdown of the leaves. The more finely shredded the leaves, the more efficiently they'll compost.

Composting leaves can take a great deal of time, sometimes up to two years! However once complete, you will have an exceptionally rich product that is perfect for use as a garden mulch. While you can compost leaves by themselves, you'll get very little final substance as leaves breakdown to very small quantities of mulch alone. The best way to get a healthy amount of product for your effort is to add other organic materials to your compost bin. Coffee grounds and egg shells are common favorites to be added into the compost. The most effective composting ingredients involve a mixture of carbon and nitrogen. Leaves are a fantastic source of natural carbon so adding in a rich source of nitrogen will ensure you get the most out of your compost. Uncooked vegetables, green plant clippings and wood or bark are good choices to add some healthy nitrogen to your compost bin.

It's important to maintain your compost by churning and mixing the compost every few months. This process allows fresh oxygen and air into the compost and helps facilitate the natural breakdown process of your compost materials. Diligent care and maintenance will produce a rich and thick compost that will last for many seasons and help your garden truly blossom! Once your compost is sufficiently broken down into a mulch-like consistency, it's time to lay the mulch to prepare your garden or lawn. When laying compost you want to be sure that the weight of the compost layer on the soil is no heavier than a plant sprout would be able to break through. Additionally, the texture of the laid compost should be fluffy and gentle. If your compost layer is thick and matted it will restrict the growth of your plants.





Composting your garden is a very important aspect of keeping it in great shape. However, providing adequate nutrition for the garden in the form of compost is not the only way to ensure your garden stays healthy and flourishing.

Consider the use of garden irrigation to provide constant and accurate supply of water in addition to your nutrient and compost usage. Precision irrigation such as drip irrigation can be an extremely effective way to get the most out of your garden and provide all of the vital elements necessary for great plant growth and development!

When growing a garden you should be diligent and caring in providing the adequate environment necessary for plants to flourish. This includes composting natural sources of nutrients for your plants to facilitate their growth and bolster their development. Additionally, providing drip irrigation or any form or powerful garden irrigation is key to getting the most out of your home garden. Water irrigation is an important part of the nutrient spreading process as well as providing adequate sources of water to your garden.

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Garden Summerhouse With a Good Set of Plans

There is no better finishing touch to your garden than a summerhouse, but for some this can be a costly Addition with the current prices for a ready-built garden summerhouse from a store.

Thankfully, more and more people are deciding to build Their own, and to Make Life Simpler They are turning to a set of professional plans to Help Them do it. The benefits of using a set of plans is That it Will leave little to no room for Mistakes for the budding novice DIY'er.

Things to look out for in a good set of plans are to make-sure That there is a comprehensive list of materials and tools etc ... That Will be needed and there Concise Should also be clear diagrams and pictures as well as all the measurements and cuts That Will have to be made all listed Cleary for you in an easy to follow fashion.

With the help of a good set of garden summerhouse plans it can be Easier than you may think to have the summerhouse of your dreams. Once you have all the materials and everything you need at your disposal will from there is no reason why you could not have it built in a couple of weekends.





Do not sweat it too much if you do not have some of the tools you may need to complete your garden project Such as circular SAWS etc ... as you can almost definitely hire / rent Them cheaply enough from most good tool shops, this can save you from buying the tools but who knows you may have so much fun building your new garden summerhouse That you Might want to take on other woodworking Such projects as a nice bench or shed, the world is your oyster Pls you have a decent set of plans! lol!

A great advantage of building your own summerhouse is That it Will be far cheaper than the cost of a ready built one and you can be assured That some Workmanship quality as well as quality of materials have gone into the making of it leading to a longer life span of your garden summerhouse.

So the which the design of garden summerhouse to go for? That'll leave one for you to Decide but with literally Thousands of plans out there just remember the Things to look out for so That you can bag yourself a good set of garden summerhouse plans for a stunning professional looking result.

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