5 Simple Steps to Planning Your Garden

With the start of a new year comes the excitement of another year of gardening. If you’re thinking it’s too early to start planning your garden season, think again! The earlier you start planning what you want to grow, the better prepared you’ll be when it’s time to plant. Here’s how to get started with your garden planning in 5 simple steps:

1. Get inspired

Start by doing some exploration to decide what kind of garden you want to grow this year. Are you more inspired by a delicate flower garden to brighten your yard, or a hearty vegetable patch to feed your family and friends? Check out gardening blogs, Pinterest, and your local library for some great ideas on where to start.

2. Find your growing zone

Use the USDA’s Plant Hardiness Zone locator tool to find out which growing zone you live in. Different plants thrive in each growing zone, so be sure to plan your garden around which plants are best for your area.

3. Choose your plants

Now that you have some inspiration and know which plants will grow best in your region, it’s time to decide which plants you want in your garden. Remember to keep in mind how much space you have, how much light the plants need, and how much time you have to put towards their nurturing. For example, if you have a small space and not much time, a compact, hardy plant like rosemary may be a good choice. If you have a larger space and more time to devote to your garden, consider trying out some trickier plants!

4. Lay out your garden

Print out a copy of our free garden planner PDF and start laying out your garden. Fill out the list of plants you’re planning to grow and then use the grid lines to help draw a map of your garden space. Now, you can start adding your plants to the map of your garden. Pay attention to how much space each type of plant needs to thrive.

5. Buy your supplies

Once your plan is finished, it’s time to start purchasing the supplies you’ll need for your garden. Decide if you want to buy seeds or seedlings for each type of plant you’re growing. If you plan to start your own seeds, order them well in advance. If you plan to purchase seedlings from a nursery, make a note of when the weather is warm enough to plant them in the ground and wait until then to purchase. Take stock of what garden tools you have and whether you’re missing anything you’ll need. If this is your first garden or you’re in need of a new toolkit, check out Bloom and Bond garden tools on the Orbit Store for durable gardening equipment. A smart drip irrigation kit is a great way to make sure your garden gets exactly the right amount of water, no matter what the weather is like.

Now it’s time to get growing! Armed with your garden plan, you’re ready to take on this year’s growing season. Sign up for our emails at the bottom of the page to get garden tips, growing guides, special product offers and more, all year-round!