Organic Vegetable Gardening 101: Before You Plant

The first step to a successful home garden is planning. Long before you sow your first seed into the ground, you will make decisions that will have a large impact on your garden's future health and productivity. The following is a list of things (some obvious and some not so) that you should consider while planning your garden.

AVAILABLE SPACE
How large a space can you devote to your garden? Does the space need to be accessible for other activities (i.e. does it border a patio area, line a walkway between structures, etc.) or is it self-contained? If there is not suitable space in the ground, do you have a sunny patio, balcony, or porch that can support a container garden?

CLIMATE
Familiarize yourself with the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone map. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to grow something that just isn't suited for your climate, or planting too early or late in the season to get good results. Year-round rain? Consider raised beds and/or container gardening. They will allow soil to drain faster and can easily be covered (and containers moved) in major downpours.

SOIL
Your soil is your most important resource in gardening, and it is likely that you'll find that you spend at least as much time tending to your soil as you do your plants - especially in your first few seasons. Making a thorough evaluation of your soil type, pH, and nutrient levels while planning your garden will allow you to take steps to better your soil quality before you plant. It may take several years to get your soil into peak condition, but rest assured that every adjustment you make will help to support a healthier crop.

SUNLIGHT
Are there trees shadowing your growing space? Watch to see where shadows fall throughout the day from buildings, trees, fences, etc. You will need to properly plan your garden to accommodate the different sunlight requirements of your plants.

APPARENT PEST ISSUES
Take notice of anything that smacks of animal, pest, or disease issues. Do you see gopher holes around? Large bird populations in neighboring trees? Are aphid colonies or ant hills visible? Do existing plants appear eaten or diseased? Knowing which pests you'll face before you plant will allow you to take preemptive measures to minimize their damage to your crops. Be careful, though, not to mistake the "good guys" (beneficial insects) for the bad.

AVAILABILITY TO WATER
While planning your garden, consider its proximity to your nearest water spout. This sounds like an obvious point, but so many gardeners forget to consider their method of water delivery when they plan their gardens. You do not want to make that mistake! Designing your garden to allow easy access for your garden hose will make your life much easier for the rest of the season, reduce crop damage, and will allow you greater access to your plants, so you can water directly at their base and reduce weed growth.

TIME AVAILABLE
Consider the time you have available to devote to your garden before you determine its size and type. A large, traditional in-ground garden will require a serious investment of time and energy to be successful. If you simply do not have that amount of time to spare, consider a raised-plot garden, which can limit your need to weed/mulch. Or try a container garden. There is virtually no weeding, and nutrients can be added directly to each pot.

PREVIOUS GARDENS
If you have always grown tomatoes along your back fence, for instance, it is time to shake things up a bit. Planting the same crop in the same area for several seasons can seriously deplete the soil, and allow parasites and serious soil-borne diseases to establish themselves as permanent fixtures in your garden ecosystem. Crop rotation is vital to maintaining the health of your garden.

ANIMALS & SMALL CHILDREN
Of course, there's the "trample" factor. Laying down boards as a walkway between your garden rows may keep little ones out of the crops, or you could consider doing all raised beds. Plastic fencing isn't pretty, but can be effective if you can't find any other solution, and may be necessary early in the season - at least until your plants are established.

Additionally, certain plants should be avoided if you have pets and/or livestock in the area. Example: Tansy. Although wonderful for attracting beneficial insects to your garden, this flower is toxic to many animals.

PERSONAL TASTE
Common sense, this one. Grow what you love. If you and your family don't like to eat it, don't plant rows of it, even if it is said to be a good "companion plant" to another crop. There are usually plenty of alternatives, and it's fun to experiment. Your garden is yours. Fill it with things you love.