all about gardening tips

Cypress Mulch

2008-05-08T22:47:00.000-07:00

Cypress Mulch
Cypress mulch is commonly available at garden centers and home
improvement stores. It is golden yellow and color and, because of its
already light color, does not really fade as much as other types of
mulch. It provides a good barrier to weeds and is a good choice for
creating a layer of mulch requiring little maintenance.

Manure
The manure you used to add texture and nutrients to your garden
may also serve as your mulch. Just remember to compost the
manure for at least six months before using it. Not only is this
important in order to prevent damaging your plants, it also makes it
less likely that weed seeds in the manure will grow.

Wood Chips
Wood chips can often be obtained for a nominal fee from utility
companies, arborists, and municipal yard waste facilities. It can also
be purchased from most home improvement stores and garden
centers. Wood chips, which are made from different sized pieces of
wood and bark, last for a very long time and are also great for laying
on paths and walkways. A two to three inch layer will provide your
garden with excellent weed control.
Exercise caution when purchasing wood chips, however, because
smaller wood chips may decompose quickly. As they decompose,
they take nitrogen from the soil, which you will need to replace with
nitrogen fertilizers or other additives. Wood chips may also attract
termites and other insects. It is also best to stay away from colored
wood chips. Colored wood chips may look attractive, but they do
not retain water like natural wood chips and do not break down andadd nutrients to your soil.

Leafmold_ Leaves_Pine Needles

2008-05-08T22:46:00.000-07:00

Leafmold
Leafmold can either be acquired from a municipal composting facility
or you can choose to make your own. To make your own, you simply
need to gather leaves in the autumn and allow them to decompose
over the winter. Then, apply them to your garden in the spring.
Exercise caution when using leaf mold as a mulch, however, because it
has a tendency to create a crust that prevents water from getting to
your soil. Therefore, you may need to stir it occasionally with a rake
in order to prevent this from happening. It is, however, an excellent
amendment to your soil.

Leaves
Instead of using leafmold, you may choose to use freshly fallen leaves
as a mulch. To do this, you should first chop the leaves up with your
lawnmower because whole leaves tend to blow away. At the same
time, you do not want the leaves to be finely shredded because this
will prevent water from penetrating adequately.
After chopping the leaves, apply a two to three inch thick layer on
your garden in order to get maximum weed control. Beech and oak
leaves are excellent for helping make your soil more acidic.
Regardless of the leaves you use, they will improve your soil as they
decompose. Once they have decomposed, mix them into your soil
and add a new layer to add the best nutrients to your ground.
Pine Needles
Another readily available natural mulch is pine needles. Pine needles
can be an attractive mulch as they are fluffy and light colored. They
also allow water to penetrate quite easily. Pine needles are a
particularly good mulch for acid loving plants like rhododendrons,
azaleas, and blueberries. In addition, they provide a great cushioning
effect on garden paths and create a lovely pine scent when walked
on. Generally, a two inch layer of pine needles is sufficient.

Pecan Shells & Lawn Clippings

2008-05-08T22:45:00.001-07:00

Pecan Shells
Pecan shells are long lasting and quite attractive. They are dark
brown in color and are highly effective in helping the soil retain its
moisture. If you do not live in an area where pecans are processed,
however, you may have a difficult time finding them for your garden.

Lawn Clippings
Everyone has lawn clippings! And, they also make a great mulch.
Lawn clippings are great for keeping on your lawn, as they provide
nutrients to your lawn’s soil. They can, however, also be collected and
used in your garden.
If you do choose to use lawn clippings as a mulch in your garden, it is
best to wait until the lawn clippings have dried out before you using
them. If you apply them while they are still fresh, then will become
compacted and will generate heat as they decompose. This can cause
damage to your plants.
When applying grass clippings as a garden mulch, you should create a
layer that is about two inches thick. This will provide you with
optimum weed control if you have already sufficiently removed all
weeds before adding the mulch. You may want to build up the layers
of grass clipping mulch over time in order to prevent using fresh
clippings or clippings that have not been adequately dried. If you use
fresh clippings, it will create a solid mat of mulch over your garden.
Lawn clippings can let off a scent for the first week or two as they
decompose, even after they have been dried. After this period has
passed, the scent will subside. You should also avoid using grass
clippings if your lawn has been treated with fungicides, pesticides, or
herbicides because these chemicals can have a negative impact onyour plants.

Mulch & Hull

2008-05-08T22:44:00.001-07:00

Crushed Corncobs
Crushed corncobs are an inexpensive type of mulch that has an
excellent cushioning effect. In fact, they are often used on
playgrounds as well. You can usually purchase crushed corncobs in
their natural state or dyed.
n Hay
Hay is often used in farm and rural gardens because it is generally
readily available and inexpensive. Using aged bales of hay can further
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improve its ability to reduce weed growth. Fresh hay, on the other
hand, can actually encourage weed growth because it usually contains
weed seeds. Hay should not be applied to the garden until after the
ground has become warmed. Otherwise, voles and mice may tunnel
under it to keep warm.
n Spent Hops
Spent hops are often readily available from breweries. They can be
somewhat smelly after they are first applied to the garden, but the
scent will go away in a few weeks.
n Buckwheat Hulls
Buckwheat hulls are a fluffy type of mulch. They are excellent for use
around annual and perennial flowers.
n Cocoa-bean Hulls
Cocoa-bean hulls provide a rich, brown color to your garden and
smell like tasty chocolate. If you choose to use cocoa-bean hulls as a
mulch, you should only apply a thin layer. Otherwise, they may
become moldy and slimy. If you do apply a layer that is more than
three inches thick, you should rake the mulch on occasion in order
to stir the hulls. This will help reduce the amount of dampness they
retain and make it less likely for mold to grow.
n Peanut Hulls
Peanut hulls can often be purchased at garden centers or directly
from peanut growers and peanut processors. Peanut hulls are
excellent for the garden because they provide nitrogen to the soil asthey break down.

Compost as Mulch

2008-05-08T22:42:00.000-07:00

Compost as Mulch
Even your compost can serve as a mulch for your garden. When
used in this way, it is often referred to as native mulch. Since
compost consists of items such as grass clippings, leaves, soft-wood
bush prunings, plants, coffee grounds and other types of kitchen
waste, it is also great for providing your garden with much needed
nutrients.
In some cases, you need to use caution when using compost as a
mulch. This really depends on what you have added to your compost
pile. If you have added white wood, it does not compost well and
can promote fungal growth and attract insects such as termites. If
you use your compost as a mulch, do not include white wood in your
compost pile. Or, be sure to blend it with hardwood bark in order
to gain the beneficial anti-fungus and anti-insect properties.
Native mulch can also be purchased from some garden centers and
landscape centers. In this case, it generally includes only brush and
grass. Nonetheless, you cannot be sure of what types of woods are
in the compost. It is also sometimes called hardwood mulch in an
attempt to sound as if it is hardwood bark mulch. Therefore, be
careful when ordering mulch and be sure it is hardwood bark mulch
or else be prepared to mix your hardwood mulch with hardwood
bark.

Cedar Mulch & Softwood Bark Mulch

2008-05-07T17:10:00.002-07:00

Cedar mulch has similar properties to chipped hardwood bark
mulch. In addition, cedar mulch will not erode. It does not, however,
have insect repellent properties like chipped hardwood bark mulch.
Therefore, a mixture of cedar mulch and chipped hardwood bark
mulch can be an excellent mulch for any garden.
n Softwood Bark Mulch
Softwood bark mulch is created from fir, pine, and redwood trees. It
can be purchased in a variety of different sizes and is long-lasting. It
is a great choice for foundation plantings, but it does not have the
ability to interlock like chipped hardwood bark mulch. For this
reason, softwood bark mulch can wash away in strong rains such as
those experienced in the Gulf Coast region. This is particularly true
of large nuggets, which have a tendency to float in water.
Like chipped hardwood bark mulch, softwood bark mulch has natural
anti-fungus and anti-insect properties. For the best weed control,
you should add two to three inches of softwood bark to your
garden. It also will not rob nitrogen from your garden soil.
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Softwood bark can, however, attract termites and other types of
insects. Since pine bark mulch has a tendency to flake or chip, it isgreat for use as a soil amendment or for use in potting soils as well.

Chipped Hardwood Bark Mulch

2008-05-07T17:10:00.001-07:00

Chipped hardwood bark mulch, which is made from grounded up or
chipped trees, can often be purchased at a low cost or even given
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away for free at township landfills. Getting your chipped hardwood
bark mulch this way, however, does put you at risk of bringing home
mulch made from diseased trees. Therefore, it is best to compost
this mulch for a year before you apply it to your garden.
You can also purchase chipped hardwood bark from most garden
centers. It makes for a great mulch because it is fibrous and has the
ability to interlock with other pieces. This helps prevent the mulch
from getting washed away by a hard rainfall. It is also heavy enough
to help your garden retain its moisture during dry summer months,
while still being light and airy enough to allow water and air to
permeate it.
Chipped hardwood bark mulch also has natural anti-insect and antifungal
properties that are beneficial to your garden. It also provides
nutrients to the ground as it decomposes and does not take away
any nitrogen from the ground as it decomposes as some other forms
of organic mulch can.

MULCHING YOUR GARDEN

2008-05-07T17:09:00.000-07:00

Now that you have planted your garden, it is time to mulch it. Mulch
can be comprised or organic materials or synthetic materials. No
matter what type of mulch you choose to use for your garden, it
serves the same basic purpose: to prevent weeds from growing, to
help the ground maintain its moisture, and to maintain soil
temperature.
Mulch has several other benefits in addition to these main three. For
example, it prevents soil splashing, which occurs when bits of soil
splash on your plants when they are being watered or while it is
raining. Soil splashing can be particularly damaging to your plants if
your soil has become contaminated with soil-borne diseases. In
addition, soil splashing can lead to erosion of your garden’s soil.
Mulch also prevents the surface of your soil from crusting, or
becoming too hard. When your soil surfaces crusts, it makes it more
difficult for it to absorb water and move within your soil.
Mulch can also provide a protective barrier around trees and shrubs.
When placed around these plants, it prevents them from becoming
damaged by lawn equipment. In addition, it creates a tidy and
attractive appearance. For plants in general, mulch helps create a
stronger root system as well. This is because the plant will create
roots to anchor to the soil as well as additional roots for the mulch.
In general, organic mulches are the most beneficial for your garden.
This is because organic mulches such as chipped bark, shredded
trees, straw, compost, and shredded leaves help add nutrients to the
soil as they decompose. Each of these organic mulches is slightly
different and has its own unique benefits and characteristics. In
addition, some can be found at your home already, while others may
need to be purchased from the store.

Choosing Between Plants and Seeds

2008-02-03T21:36:00.000-08:00

Choosing Between Plants and Seeds
With vegetable gardening, there are certain plants that are generally
best to start from seed while others are better to be started as
plants. Beans, corn, radishes, and most other common vegetable
plants are ok to start from seed outdoors. Vegetable that are
generally best to start as plants include tomatoes and green peppers.
You may choose to grow some of these seeds indoors until they are
ready to be planted outdoors. You will learn more about growing
plants from seeds indoors later in this guide.
n Planting Seeds in Your Garden Bed
When sowing the seeds in your vegetable or flower garden, it is
important to read the back of the packaging to determine how deep
the seeds should be planted and how far apart your seeds should be
spaced. Depth is important because this ensures the roots of your
plants will be able to reach the proper depths to keep your plants
healthy and strong.
Spacing is also important because your plants can choke each other
out as they fight for space and nutrients if they are planted too
closely together. At the same time, you want to utilize your space to
its fullest. Therefore, you don’t want to plant your plants further
apart than necessary.
Planting Plants in Your Garden
When purchasing plants to add to your garden, planting instructions
should be included with the plant. If not, speak to one of the
employees at the nursery to learn how far apart you should space
the plants. So far as the depth, simply plant the plant deep enough
that your soil just covers the top of the soil the plant is currently in.
If you plant your plant deeper then this, the stem can rot. On the
other hand, the roots will dry out if you do not plant it deep enough.
Choosing the Best Time
Keep in mind that the best time to plant plants is on an overcast day
that is not very windy, as this is the least stressful condition for
plants. Nonetheless, you have to work within your schedule as well.
This may mean planting on a windy day or in the middle of a hot day.
Preparing the Plants for Transplant
Whether the conditions are ideal for planting or not, there are a few
steps you can take to make the process easier on your plants. First,
water the plants while they are still in their pots on the day before
you plan to plant them. In addition, you should never remove the
plant from its pot and let it sit out before planting because this will
cause the roots to dry out and become damaged.
Digging the Hole
Of course, you will need to dig a hole to place your plant in. You
should dig your hole to be twice as big as the perimeter of the pot
the plant is in. This helps ensure the dirt is nice and loose around
the plant once you place it in the ground. Then, you will remove the
plant from the pot and place it in the hole. After the plant is in place,
backfill the hole and gently push the ground down around it so it is in
place. Do not push too hard, however, as you can damage the roots
or even the stem. Instead, allow the water you will apply later to
help push the dirt down into place.
Removing the Plant from the Pot
Removing plants from pots that are not peat pots can be tricky at
times. You should never pull on the plant from near its top. Rather,
you should first squeeze the flowerpot in order to help loosen the
dirt around the roots and make the plant easier to remove. Then, fan
your hand over the top of the pot while allowing the stem of the
plant to poke through from between your fingers. Turn the pot
upside down, and the plant should fall out into your hand. Keep your
hand and the plant upside down until you place it upright in the hole
you have prepared for it.
If the plant does not come out easily after you have squeezed the
outside of the pot, you might need to give it a little extra help. If the
pot is large enough, you might use a small hand garden shovel to
scrape around the outside of the soil inside the pot. This can help
further loosen it and help you remove the plant. If the pot is small,
you might need to grab the stem of the plant in the area just above
the soil to help pull it out. You should, however, continue squeezing
the flowerpot as you do this to help with the process.
Helping a Root Bound Plant
Once the plant is removed, you might notice that your plant is root
bound. As plants grow and become bigger, they need to be either
placed in the ground or transplanted to a larger pot. Unfortunately,
nurseries rarely transplant the plants as necessary. As a result, the
growing roots have nowhere to go. This causes them to start to
wrap around the soil the plant is planted in.
A root bound plant is easy to identify. First, the dirt will maintain the
shape of the flowerpot after the plant has been removed. Second,
you will notice roots wrapped around the outside of the dirt. These
roots hold the dirt in place, which is why it maintains its shape.
Planting a plant that is root bound is not healthy for the plant. The
roots have started a poor growing pattern. In fact, many of them are
working their way back up to the top of the dirt. Of course, plants
needs their roots to go down into the ground so they can gather
nutrients and form a strong hold. Therefore, you need to break this
growth pattern before placing the plant in the ground.
In order to fix a root bound plant, you will need a pair of pruning
shears or a knife. You then need to cut away all of the roots you see
on the outside of the plant. You do not need to cut the roots
completely off the plant. Rather, slice through them so they hang
down and no longer wrap around the soil. You will know the plant is
ready to be placed in the ground when you are able to move the soil
around freely and it is no longer taking the shape of the pot.
Plants in Peat Pots
Some plants are sold in peat pots. In this case, you will not need to
remove the plant from the pot before planting it. Rather, you should
place the entire plant in the ground and the peat pot will help add
nutrients to the ground.
Watering Your New Plant
After you place your plant in the ground, whether it was root bound
or not, you need to water it thoroughly. Transplanting a plant from a
flowerpot can be quite shocking to the plant, particularly if you had
to cut away its root bound roots. Watering your plant right away will
help it overcome that shock. It will also help it start to form its
strong root system.
Most plants should be watered every day for about a week after they
have been planted in order to ensure they take root and become
properly established in the garden. You should, however, read any
directions that may have been included with your plant because some
require more watering while others prefer less.

PLANTING YOUR GARDEN

2008-02-03T21:33:00.000-08:00

PLANTING YOUR GARDEN
Now that you have a garden bed filled with rich soil, it is time to
start planting in it! From here, you have two choices. You can either
plant seeds or purchase mature plants. Or, you may choose to do a
combination of both.
n Selecting Healthy Plants for Your Garden
When you first walk into a nursery, every plant may look healthy and
of high quality. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. In addition to
being disappointed by the performance of the plant if you choose
one that is unhealthy, you also may bring some diseases back to your
other plants or to your soil. Therefore, you need to take a few steps
to make sure the plants you select are healthy and perfect for adding
to your garden.
Nursery Quality
The first thing you need to examine is the overall quality of the
nursery. Do the plants seem to be generally well cared for and
healthy? Do the employees seem to understand how to care for the
plants? Are they able to provide you with proper advice for their
care and maintenance? All of these factors will help you determine if
you should turn around and run out of the nursery or if it just might
be a good place to purchase a healthy plant.
Foliage
Next, take a look at the foliage of the plants for sale. Once you find
a plant you are interested in purchasing, check to be sure the leaves
are shiny, green, and lush. If the leaves are yellowing or wilting, it is
best to leave it at the nursery. These plants probably are not
diseased, so they will not cause harm to your garden. Rather, the
wilting and yellow color is a sign that the plant is stressed. You can
never be sure if a stressed plant will recover. If you are feeling
confident in your gardening skills, you might still take this one home if
it is on sale for a great price. Or, ask one of the employees if he or
she will discount the plant for you because of its condition.

Plant Shape
After inspecting the foliage of the plant, look at its overall shape. A
compact plant that is full and has multiple stems is usually better than
a tall plant. In fact, a tall plant is often an indication that the plant has
been straining to find light. As a result, it can grow to be thin and
spindly, which means the plant may break easily or may require
staking in order to keep it upright once you place it in your garden.
Insects and Disease
In order to keep the other plants in your garden safe, you will also
need to inspect the plant for signs of insects and diseases. To do this,
look at both sides of the leaves as well as in the potting soil. If you
see holes, blackened areas, spots, distortions, or mushy areas, the
plant may be infected. A sticky feeling on the leaves or on the soil
are also bad signs.
Roots
We discussed plants that are root bound earlier in this guide. It is
best to avoid root bound plants whenever possible because being
root bound is stressful on the plant, as is snipping away at the roots
later. Of course, you cannot always tell if a plant is root bound while
it is at the store because it is inside a pot. You can, however, look for
roots growing out of the bottom of the pot or even roots that have
grown to the top of the soil. Both are signs that the plant has
become root bound. You may want to stay away from these plants
because it can take some time for them to recover from the
condition.
On the other end of the spectrum, you may find a plant that easily
lifts out of the pot and has no signs of roots. This indicates the plant
was recently repotted. In this case, it is usually best to let the plant
remain in the pot for awhile before attempting to transplant it to
your garden.
Stem
The stem of the plant is another important area to inspect. If the
plant you are considering purchasing is thick or woody, check for
cracks or scars from previous breaks. Prior damage to the stems can
still cause the plant to be weakened overall, so it is best to stay away
from those that have been damaged.
Weeds
You should also look for weeds growing in the pot along with the
plant. Weeds in the pot are a sign that the plant has been neglected.
In addition, it means your plant has been fighting with the weed for
nutrients. As a result, it can be week and unhealthy. Furthermore,
you do not want to bring new weeds home with you when you
purchase a new plant.
Root Ball
If you are purchasing a balled-and-burlapped shrub or tree, you
should also inspect the root ball. It should feel solid and should not
appear to be broken. If it has been broken, the roots may have
become dried out and the plant will have a difficult time adjusting and
growing.
Flowers Vs. Buds
It is also best to purchase new plants before they have flowered. If
you are purchasing a plant at about the time it should flower, select
those with buds rather than those that have flowered. Budded plants
transplant better than those with flowers. In addition, the flowers
often wilt away when transplanted. Plants with buds, on the other
hand, will usually still bloom and provide you with wonderful flowers
to enjoy in your garden rather than in the store.
In the end, nearly any plant may be able to be saved. So, if you see
one that you really have to have but you know it isn’t healthy, you can
still go ahead and purchase it. Just be prepared to give it a little
pampering. If it is diseased or has insects, however, it is not worth
risking the health of your other plants.

Amending the Ground

2008-01-15T21:37:00.000-08:00

No matter how great you think your dirt is, it can always use a little
help to make it better. There are two primary factors used to
evaluate dirt: fertility and texture. The fertility of your dirt is
determined by its pH balance and nutrients. The texture is how large
the particles of dirt are and how well they hold together.
A Look at Nutrients
There are three nutrients all plants need to be healthy. These are
phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium. Phosphorus helps the roots
grow, which is particularly important for flowering bulbs and for root
veggies such as carrots. Bone meal is a natural additive that can be
found at your gardening store that will help boost the levels of
phosphorus in your dirt. Some fertilizers also contain high levels of
phosphorus. Generally, these fertilizers are advertised as bloom
boosters because phosphorus is necessary for plants to produce
their flowers.
Nitrogen is necessary to ensure healthy leaves and stems. When you
add nitrogen to the dirt, it does not stay there for long because it
gets used up by plants and decaying matter. Nitrogen is also water
soluble, which means it can wash out of your dirt rather quickly.
Therefore, nitrogen needs to be replenished in your dirt in order to
produce the best growth. At the same time, too much nitrogen will
cause the foliage to go wild and take away from the fruit and flowers
of the plant. So, it is important to maintain the proper balance.
Potassium is good for the overall health of your plants. It helps the
plants grow while also helping to boost their immune system.
Potassium is also water soluble, so it needs to be replenished as well.
There are several additional trace elements that are also beneficial to
your dirt. These include magnesium, calcium, molybdenum, and zinc.

Adding Nutrients to Your Dirt
If your dirt is lacking nutrients, you will need to decide between
adding organic or inorganic materials in order to amend it. Inorganic
fertilizers work quickly and are generally cheaper than organic
fertilizers, but they do not actually improve your soil. Rather, they
are designed to feed the plant itself. Therefore, they are not a good
choice when preparing a garden bed that does not have plants yet. In
addition, fertilizers can actually cause damage to your soil in the long
run because of their high salt content. Some studies have also
indicated that plants build a resistance to inorganic fertilizers, which
causes them to require more and more in order to remain healthy.
Organic fertilizers take more time to work, but are beneficial because
they treat the actual dirt and they release nutrients over time. The
best organic fertilizer should include phosphorus, nitrogen, and
potassium. You can also add your own organic nutrients, such as
bone meal for phosphorus, fish emulsion and manure for nitrogen,
and wood ash for potassium. By purchasing a testing kit from your
home improvement or garden center, you will be able to determine
which nutrients your dirt needs.
A Look at pH
The pH balance of your dirt refers to its acidity or alkalinity. Your
dirt will fall somewhere on a scale ranging from 1.0 to 14.0. The
lower the number, the more acidic your dirt is. Conversely, a higher
number means your dirt is more alkaline. A reading of 7.0 is
considered neutral. The pH of your dirt is important because certain
nutrients are only made available to your plants if the dirt is within a
certain pH range.
For those most part, a score of 6.2 - 6.8 is considered to be ideal.
Some plants, such as heathers, rhododendrons, and blueberries, prefer
soil that is very acidic. On the other hand, plants such as clematis
and lilacs prefer alkaline soil. To determine the pH level of your dirt,
you can purchase testing kits from your home improvement or
garden store. Your Cooperative Extension office may also be willing
to come out and test your dirt for a small fee.
Amending the pH
If your dirt is not within the proper range for the plants you will be
planting, you can purchase additives to help make it more acidic or

alkaline. Adding lime to your dirt will help increase the alkalinity,
while adding sulfur will decrease it. It does, however, take time to
change the pH of dirt. It should also be done in stages in order to
prevent shocking your plants if you already have some planted. In
general, it is best to add about five pounds of sulfur or lime to 100
square feet of garden. If you still haven’t added your plants, however,
you can add much more in order to get it to the proper pH level.
Keep in mind, however, that your dirt t will change back to its natural
pH level if you do not continue to treat it.
A Look at Texture
The texture of your soil is also important to allow your plants to
establish their roots and to aid in moisture drainage and retention. If
your dirt is sandy, it is made of larger particles. This allows air, water,
and plant roots to move very easily. This can be a drawback because
the roots of the plant may not be able to get enough water before it
seeps completely through. Certain plants, such as those with bulbs,
thrive in sandy soil because they prefer excellent drainage. In
addition, the sandy soil prevents the water from sitting on the bulbs
and causing them to rot.
The opposite end of the texture spectrum is clay. Clay particles are
very small and, as such, they are capable of packing together very
tightly. This allows very little room for air, water, and roots.
Therefore, water tends to rest on the roots of plants in clay for a
longer period of time. This can be beneficial to certain plants
requiring continual moisture. In addition, gardens with clay dirt
usually do not need to be watered as often as those with sandy dirt
because the water is held by the clay.
Testing the Texture of Your Dirt
It is actually quite simple to test the texture of your dirt. Scoop a
handful of dirt and form a ball. Then, tap the ball. If it breaks apart
easily, your dirt is sandy. If you can press the dirt between your
finger and your thumb in order to create a ribbon of dirt, you have
clay dirt.
The majority of dirt is somewhere between sandy and clay filled.
Ideally, your garden should consist of sandy loam dirt. In this case,
the dirt is light and allows water and air to move easily. At the same
time it is tilth, which means it has a texture similar to fine bread

crumbs. This can typically be achieved by adding organic matter,
which is dead plant or animal materials, to your dirt.
You can also get an idea of how much sand and clay is in your dirt by
taking a handful of dirt and placing it in a jar filled with water. Place a
lid on the jar and shake it all up until it looks likes some kind of dirt
milkshake. Then, set the jar aside and let the dirt settle. You will
notice that the dirt settles in layers. The bottom layer is the sand
and the top layer is the clay. In between is a layer of silt, which is the
material found at the bottom of ponds that is also found in all dirt.
By looking at the top and bottom layers, you can get a good idea of
the ratio of clay to sand in your dirt.
Improving the Texture
You should never try to change your dirt from sandy to clay filled or
from clay to sandy dirt. Trying to mix these components together
can result in a type of solid cement-like dirt. If you have a great deal
of clay in your soil, it can be beneficial to add a little bit of sand, but
there are much better ways to amend the texture of your soil.
In general, the more nutrients your ground has, the better. The same
holds true for organic matter. All dirt has some organic matter, but
rarely enough. Adding organic matter will improve the tilth of your
dirt because it creates what is known as humus when it decays. If
your dirt is sandy, the organic matter will help it to better retain
water. If your dirt is clay filled, on the other hand, it will help make
the dirt looser. This allows water, air, and roots to better penetrate
the ground. Regardless of the type of dirt you have, organic matter
helps encourage microbial activity. This is beneficial because it
provides nutritional benefits to your dirt.
Using Horse Manure
For me, the best way to amend the ground with organic matter is to
use horse manure because it adds nutrients and improves on the
texture of the dirt. Horse manure can be purchased from most
garden supply stores. Many farms and stables also have it for sale.
Or, if you happen to know someone with horses, they will probably
be more than happy to supply you with some!
Horse manure that has had a chance to sit out in the sun for a year
or two is the ideal horse manure to use when amending the ground

for your garden. This manure has had time to decompose and break
down to the point that it actually no longer smells and it looks and
feels like dirt. This manure can be spread over the entire top of your
garden plot and even worked into the ground.
If the horse manure you have access to is fresher, you need to use
more caution when adding it to your dirt. Often, it is better to add
this manure after you have planted your flowers or vegetables. This
way, you can place the manure around the plants in a way that
prevents them from actually touching their stems. Fresh horse
manure contains ammonia and heats up while under the sun and, if it
is touching your plants at the time, it can actually burn their stems.
In addition, it has an unpleasant odor.
Horse manure is not your only natural option for amending the dirt.
You can also purchase castings. Castings, which are earthworm
droppings, can also be purchased from most garden centers. Or, you
can maintain your own earthworm composting bin and collect your
own castings. You will learn more about how to do this in the
composting section of this guide.
Other Organic Additives
Your compost is also an excellent source of organic matter because
it is made of dead plant material. Peat moss is another option for
plant organic matter. It is inexpensive to purchase and is great at
loosening clay dirt. Peat moss can, however, be very dusty.
Therefore, it is best to wet it before using it in order to make it
easier to work with. Even grass clippings and other plant debris can
be great for amending your soil, just be sure the plants and clippings
you use do not have seeds. Otherwise, you will have a lot of weeding
to do!
If it will be awhile before you plant your garden, you can also plant
cover crops (also known as green manure) in your plot. Cover crops
are plants, such as clover and vetch, that are planted and grown in a
plot that will not be immediately used. These crops help keep the
dirt loose and prevent weeds from growing. At the same time, they
add nitrogen to the dirt and can be tilled directly into the ground
when you are ready to plant.
Now that you have finished amending your dirt, we can officially start
referring to it as soil! It has gone from being a brown, dirty mess
that does not support a healthy and happy garden to soil that is
ready to produce tasty veggies or beautiful flowers.

Loosening the Dirt of your garden

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Loosening the Dirt
The next step to preparing the land for your garden is to loosen the
dirt. This is an important step because loosened dirt makes it easier
for the roots of your plants to grow and to spread. This also helps
them create a stronger hold within the dirt. The better the roots
grow, the healthier and stronger your plants will be.
Use Your Handy-Dandy Shovel Again
You have a couple options available to you for loosening the dirt.
Your first option is to use your spade. To loosen the dirt with your
spade, you will shovel the entire area to the depth the spade allows.
Each time you dig up a load of dirt with the spade, turn the clump of
dirt upside down and move on to the next section of the garden
plot.
If your dirt is somewhat sandy, flipping the dirt clumps upside down
may be all that is needed to loosen the dirt. If your dirt has a great
deal of clay to it, however, the ground will likely remain in a hard
clump when you dig it out of the ground. If the dirt does not break
apart and loosen when you dig it up and flip it upside down, you will
need to use your spade to break the dirt apart.
Let a Machine Do the Work with a Tiller
An easier way to loosen the dirt for your garden plot is to use a
tiller. A tiller is a machine with rotating blades at the bottom that are
specifically designed to tear up dirt for a garden. These tools can be

pushed and pulled while you remain in a standing position, similar to
a push lawn mower.
If you are creating a small garden, you really don’t need a large tiller.
Large tillers are more expensive than smaller models and can be
quite heavy and cumbersome to operate. On the other hand, they
are capable of covering a greater surface at one time. I personally
use the Mantis brand tiller. This tiller is small, lightweight, and easy to
use. I have had it for about five years and it is still running strong and
I have never had to replace any of its parts.
Using a tiller is a much simpler method for loosening the dirt in your
garden plot, but it is more expensive to purchase a tiller than it is to
purchase a spade. Therefore, it is up to you whether or not it is
worth the expense.
An added bonus to a tiller is that you do not necessarily have to
remove the grass and weeds before loosening the dirt. A tiller can
tear right through the grass and weeds for you. Be careful when
using this option, however, because some weeds will propagate when
they are chopped up. If you do decide to use the tiller to cut
through the weeds and grass while also loosening the dirt, you will
need to comb through the dirt with a garden rake in order to
remove the grass and weeds. Otherwise, they can re-establish
themselves in your garden.
Using a Garden Rake
A garden rake is not the same as a leaf rake. Both garden rakes and
leaf rakes have a long handle and tines at the end, but the design of
the tines is different. The tines of a leaf rake are loose and long in
order to allow the rake to glide softly over the ground without
damaging the grass. Garden rakes, on the other hand, have shorter
tines that bend at a 90 degree angle. The tines of a garden rake are
also very stiff because they are meant to rake through the ground,
not over it.
After you have tilled the entire garden plot area, use your garden
rake to comb through the loosened dirt. If the dirt has been
adequately loosened, it will sift right through the tines while they
catch hold of the grass, weeds, and other plant debris that needs to
be removed. When you are all done, the dirt should be smoothed
out flat with several ruts running through it that have been created
by the tines of the rake.
Even if you do remove the grass and weeds from your garden area
before you loosen the dirt, you should use the garden rake as your
final step of the dirt loosening process. This is true whether you use
a tiller to loosen the dirt or a spade. In this way, you can be assured
all large clumps of dirt have been broken down and you also have a
nice, smooth surface to work with.

Removing Weeds and Grass at Your Garden

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There are several products available on the market that are designed
to permanently remove and kill weeds and grass. Do not use these
products to prepare your garden bed. These products destroy the
nutrients in the ground and can make it virtually impossible to grow
anything in that area for a year or more.
Use Your Shovel
If you are planning to plant your garden in an area that has weeds or
grass, the best way to remove the vegetation is with a shovel. Using
a spade, dig a couple inches into the surface of your garden plot. The
exact depth you will need to dig depends on the type of vegetation
you are removing. If it is mostly grass, a couple inches should be
plenty.
Once you have started a hole at the proper depth, you should be
able to use your spade to essentially skim the surface of your garden
plot. Do this by holding the spade at an angle that is almost parallel
to the ground. The goal is not to dig deep into your garden. Rather,
the goal is to simply take off the top layer of the ground in order to
get rid of the grass. Dispose of the grass and weed layers you have
removed, preferably in a compost pile if you have one started. If you
don’t, this is the perfect time to start one! (You will learn more
about how to do that later in this guide).
Make Some Sod
If the grass you are removing from the garden plot is nice, healthy
grass, you might also remove it by cutting it into sod. In this way, you
can transplant the grass to another area of your lawn that might

need it. To cut the grass into sod, use your spade to cut out
rectangular shapes within the grass. After you have cut out the
outline, slip the spade beneath the shape to loosen up the roots
underneath.
After the grass has been adequately loosened, you can roll the
rectangular piece of sod up and place it in a cart or wheelbarrow.
Then, take the sod to the new location and lay it down flat on the
ground. Then, piece together all of your pieces of sod until the area
is filled completely. Be sure to water the sod thoroughly. It should
be very wet in order to help the roots take hold. Continue watering
the area at least once per day for one to two weeks.

Other Elements to Consider

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When selecting a garden spot, you also need to keep in mind that
afternoon sun is hotter and drier than the morning sun. Therefore,

the time of day when the sun hits your garden spot will have an
impact on how often it will need to be watered and how damaging
the sun can potentially be. Furthermore, most flowers turn to face
the sun. Therefore, your garden sitting outside your west window
may not be viewable during the afternoon when the flowers face
away from you.
In addition to the amount and type of sun the area receives, you also
need to consider wind. Certain areas can create wind tunnels, which
can be damaging to your plants. The less wind an area receives, the
better it will be for your garden. You should also consider foot
traffic. After all, you don’t want to grow a beautiful garden in a spot
where it will be frequently trampled on by people or by animals.
n Choosing a Spot that Looks Good
Of course, you also need to work at selecting a spot for your garden
that looks good. The middle of your yard may receive the perfect
amount of sunlight for your garden – but it might not look so good
to grow a vegetable garden there! Therefore, another consideration
when choosing a location is the aesthetic appeal.
Consider the Purpose
There are many factors to consider when choosing a spot for your
garden that looks good. First, you need to determine the overall
purpose of your garden. If you are planting flowers to landscape the
home and to give it a trimmed and well-kept look, you might actually
have several small garden areas in your yard. For example, you might
put trim around the bottom of large trees and plant flowers there.
You might also plant flowers around the outside perimeter of your
home or along your driveway in order to create a neat and tidy
appearance.
Use What You Already Have
If, on the other hand, you are looking to add a little flair to your yard
that goes beyond looking neat and tidy, you will need to select a spot
that will look attractive and that does not look out of place.
Consider the lay out of your land and the natural curves it already
possesses and create a garden that works within that lay out rather
than against it.

I have planted several gardens in my yard. Each has its own unique
character and the locations I chose were for different reasons. For
example, the first garden I planted was in a shade garden. I chose
this spot because there was a natural cove about ten feet wide that
was already there from the previous owners. On one side, a small
grove of pine trees was already in place. On the other side, some
wild bushes and trees had been allowed to grow.
We decided to place a small shed in the back end of this cove
because the trees provided excellent wind protection. Then, I lined
either side of the cove and planted shade loving flowers. The result
is a beautiful mixture of wild flowers and bushes growing behind my
well-trimmed display of flowers. I took an area that was already a
part of my land and turned it into my own secret garden.
Cover Up Problem Areas
Another element to consider when deciding where to plant your
garden is if there are certain areas that need cleaning up or that need
to be disguised. With a little imagination and work, you can take an
eyesore and change it in to a work of beauty.
The second garden I planted was in response to a problem with our
land. It seems that the previous owner used to burn his garbage in
the back yard rather than have it picked up and disposed of properly.
We tried several times to clean this area, but the burned garbage
seemed to reach endlessly beneath the ground. This made mowing
difficult and it was a concern for us because we have children.
I decided to take this dangerous eyesore and turn it into a family
area. I placed brick trim all the way around the area that was
affected by the garbage pile and planted flowers inside. Much of the
garbage had deteriorated enough that I still had dirt to plant the
flowers in without needing to remove all of the garbage. In addition,
I selected flowers that I knew would be able to withstand growing
conditions that were less than perfect – such as Daylilies and Irises.
I also built a small brick patio in the center of this garden. On this
patio, I placed a swinging bench chair that faces toward the
playground area we created for our children. Now, I can sit and
watch them as they play while enjoying the beautiful surroundings of
my garden.

Make it Suit Your Overall Look
My largest flower garden is growing right next to my patio. Our
home had a nice patio already in place when we moved in, but it had
a rusty and unattractive fence running around its perimeter. In
addition, there was no landscaping near the patio and the grass was
in poor shape. In fact, there were several stones in the grassy area
near the patio that lead us to believe it was once used as a driveway.
We removed the rusty fence, which helped open up the patio and
make it far more attractive. Then, we created a large garden that
runs along the entire front of the patio. Within the garden, we have
built a brick pathway as well as two garden ponds complete with
waterfalls, water plants, and koi. Now, the patio serves as a great
spot where we can sit and enjoy the beauty of the garden while
listening to the trickling fall of water.
Keep the same considerations in mind when selecting a spot for your
garden. What will the purpose of the garden be? Is it purely for
enjoyment or will it also be helping you deal with a problem with
your land? Who will enjoy your garden? How will you and others
enjoy the garden? How does the garden fit within your current
landscape and the lay out of your home? How does the garden take
advantage of the natural beauty your land already possesses?
n Laying Out the Outline
After you have decided where you will place your garden, you need
to plan out the outline. Do you want your garden to be in a circular
shape? A rectangle? Perhaps you want to create some natural
looking curves as the outline for your garden.
A good idea is to draw the outline on a piece of paper first in order
to get an idea of how you would like the garden to look. Then, use
an extension cord or a hose to form the design in just the way you
want it. The nice thing about using an extension cord or a hose is
that you can easily change the layout if you don’t like the way it
looks. I have also used white spray paint and sprayed the grass to
form the outline. This provides you with a guide when digging out
the garden bed.

Making Your Flowers Suit Your Garden Spot

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You can also use the reverse approach to selecting a garden spot for
your flower garden. Perhaps you already have a spot in mind that
you feel would be just perfect, but you have not taken a look at
flowers yet. Monitor the area you have selected and determine if it
gets more than eight hours of sunlight per day. If it does, you should
go with full sun plants for that area. If it receives about five or six
hours of sunlight per day, partial sun plants are ideal. Full sun plants
might still survive in this spot, but their stems may become spindly
and require staking, as they do not receive the amount of sun
necessary to grow strong.
If the garden spot you have selected receives two to four hours of
sunlight, partial shade flowers are ideal. If the area receives less than
two hours of sunlight per day, you should stick with full shade
flowers.You will also discover that there are some flowers that are
quite versatile and can handle anywhere from full shade to partial sun
or from partial shade to full sun. These flowers are often easier to
care for because of this versatility. So, if you are still uncomfortable
with determining the amount of sunlight your area receives, you
might want to stick with these flowers.

Making the Garden Spot Suit Your Flowers

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If you are planting a flower garden, you have a bit more flexibility
when it comes to the amount of sunlight your garden needs to
receive. This is because there are flowers that love shade, flowers
that love sun, and flowers that love everything in between. If you
have already looked at different types of flowers and have your heart
set on certain ones, however, you will need to plan the location of
your garden accordingly.
Most nurseries include tags with their flowers that describe the ideal
growing conditions for the flower, including the amount of sunlight it
requires. Look at the tag to determine if the flowers you like require
shade, partial shade, partial sun, or full sun. If you notice that all of
the flowers you have selected require shade, such as the Hosta and
the Lily of the Valley, you will want to choose a shady location for
10
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your garden. This might be beneath a tree or even under a balcony
or porch. If, on the other hand, the flowers you selected enjoy full
sun, you will need to select a location that requires a great deal of
sunlight during the day.
You may discover that you enjoy a mixed bag of flowers. For
example, some may prefer partial shade while others prefer full sun.
In this case, you might need to choose a couple different locations
and two or more gardens. Or, you will have to decide which type of
flower you would like to specialize in. In general, there are more
flowers to choose from if you decide to go with those requiring full
sun to partial sun. On the other hand, full shade and partial shade
flowers are often easier to care for.

Getting Enough Sun for Your Vegetable Garden

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Since you will need a great deal of sunlight for your vegetable garden,
you should never plant it next to large trees that will cast shadows
throughout the day. Similarly, it is generally best not avoid planting a
vegetable garden right next to a building or a home. The shadow
cast by the home can prevent adequate sunlight from reaching your
garden. If you aren’t sure about a specific area, take a day to monitor
the position of the sun and the shade it produces in the area you are
considering for your garden. You don’t need to stand out there all
day! Rather, check on the area once per hour in order to get an idea
of how much sunlight the area receives.