Hey there, fellow garden dreamers! Planning a garden doesn’t have to feel like homework—it’s more like mapping out a grand adventure. Your garden is not just dirt and plants… it’s your little slice of paradise.
Think of this like planning a road trip. You need a good map, a sense of adventure, and maybe a snack or two. So grab a cup of coffee (or tea if you’re feeling fancy), and let’s dig into seven super simple steps to make your garden your best one yet.
Step 1: Let the Sunshine In ☀️
Plants are like people—they’ve got favorites. Tomatoes, peppers, and squash are your sun-worshippers. They thrive in spots with all-day sunlight. Got a shady corner? Save it for herbs or cool-season crops like spinach.
Pro tip: taller crops like corn should hang out at the back of the garden so they don’t throw shade on their shorter buddies.
Step 2: Get Vertical
When you run out of room, look up! Teepees, trellises, and climbing frames aren’t just for playgrounds—they’re garden lifesavers. Vining crops like beans and cucumbers love a little legroom to climb, and sweet peas will give you blooms that smell like a dream while bringing all the pollinators to your yard.
Watch: Vertical Growing + Space Saving
If you’re trying to squeeze more harvest out of the same space, this one’s for you:
Step 3: Add a Pop of Color
Don’t just grow food—grow beauty. Flowers like nasturtiums and marigolds aren’t just pretty faces; they attract helpful bugs and deter the nasty ones. Sprinkle flowers throughout your garden, or tuck them into unused corners. Trust me, a garden that looks good feels even better.
Step 4: Plan Like a Pro
Garden planning isn’t just for type-A personalities. Use a garden planner to map out your crops, schedule succession planting, and track what’s growing where. Keep your most-used veggies, like herbs and salad greens, close to the house. And don’t forget the “extras” like compost bins or a seating area to enjoy your masterpiece.
Watch: Layout + Garden Planning
If you want a simple way to map things out (and avoid the “what did I plant here?” chaos), here you go:
Step 5: Pick Crops That Make You Happy
Grow what you love to eat! Got a family obsessed with kale? Plant a whole row. Want to experiment? Try something new, like purple carrots or heirloom tomatoes. Reflect on past garden wins and losses, then refine your list.
Overcrowding is a rookie mistake—don’t plant more than you can manage.
Step 6: Start Earlier
If you’ve got a hoop house (or any kind of cover), you can jumpstart your gardening season. Start seeds indoors, then move them into protected space when the sun gets its act together and temps are hovering in that chilly-but-doable range.
Don’t just stick to any crops—go for cold-hardy champs like radishes, leafy greens, and brassicas.
Pro tip: even in a hoop house, the ground can freeze. Last winter to super early spring can be dicey, so tuck your crops in with covers when it gets frosty. Think of it as giving them a little gardening hug.
Watch: Getting a Head Start
Want to see how I handle the “start earlier” strategy in real life? This video helps:
Step 7: Add Garden Boxes (If Needed)
Sometimes your garden needs a glow-up, and garden boxes are the ultimate makeover move. They’re perfect for adding extra planting space or conquering tough ground (hello, rocky soil or lawn rebellion).
Need an excuse to get creative? Paint them, stack them, or line them up in neat rows like a veggie army. Garden boxes also give your crops a leg up—literally—on weeds and poor drainage.
Bonus: they’re great for keeping the kids involved since the boxes are their size-friendly workspace.
Watch: Beds/Boxes + Setup
If you’re debating garden boxes or want ideas for setup, this one’s a great watch:
Quick Boxes
The 7-Step Garden Plan (Quick Recap)
Put sun-lovers in full sun, save shade for herbs/greens.
Trellises/teepees = more food in less space.
Flowers attract pollinators + help with pests.
Use a planner, keep daily-harvest crops close to the house.
Grow what you actually eat. Don’t overcrowd.
Use protection (hoop house/cover) for cold-hardy crops.
Extra space + better drainage + easier weed control.
