Planning the Garden

1. Planning the Garden Introduction • Garden is a personal place • If you are a beginning gardener, start with a _____________ space • “A small garden well tended is much more satisfying than a large neglected one.”

2. How To Get Started • Select a _________ for a garden • Locate existing features • List desired items • Draw a _________ • Prepare the site

3. Selecting a garden site • Explore your options • What land do you have available? • Your options are limited by available land • Solo garden or __________________ garden? • In-ground or container garden? • ________________ factors will influence the microclimate • Microclimate influences vegetable plantings

4. Examples of microclimate effects _____________ determine length of growing season • Low-lying areas (calledfrost pockets) - frosts occur later in spring and earlier in fall • ____________ air flows down hills and collects in valleys • Restricted air flow – traps cold air • Avoid ______________ or evergreen trees on downhill side of garden

5. Examples of microclimate effects Soil texture class determines drainage, ________________ holding capacity and ability to work soil • Soil particles • Clay - Smallest particle size and poorest drainage • Silt • Sand - Largest particle size and best drainage • Causes of poor drainage • ___________________ layer of soil • Compacted topsoil • Soils dominated by ______________ particles

6. Example – soil texture class Ways to improve soil drainage • Add ___________ matter • Binds soil particles together • Drainage systems • ________________ PVC pipe buried in soil • Raised beds • Raise planting beds above ground level

7. Locate existing features • May indicate problems that need to be addressed • Vegetable gardens are best in full sun for at least ________ hours • Poorly drained areas should be avoided or improved • Existing ____________ should be incorporated into the design

8. List desired items • Will determine the design of your garden and its utility • Consider location, your budget, _________________________ of the garden, and plants desired • In Illinois’ heavy soils solid-surfaced ________________________ and raised beds should be considered if permanent site

9. List desired items • Desired items may include: • Pathways • Raised beds • _________________ • Compost bins • Benches • __________ features

10. Garden Design Elements to consider • ________________ • How can you utilize the available space the best • Convenience • Located near residence • Easy access to ________ • Beauty • Structure • _________________ • Focal point • Fits the environment

11. Garden Design Example: Kitchen gardens -Purpose is to supply food for the kitchen -Find in all cultures, traditions and gardening styles -Often include ___________ and ornamental plants -Size and design depend on need, location, and _______________________

12. Garden Design Four-square design • Tradition goes back to _______________ cottage gardens of 12th century • Allow for easy cultivation and ________________ • Components • Equal sized ___________________ • Solid surfaced pathways – two pathways with one traditionally running from garden gate to house • __________________ beds • An enclosure – creates feel of outdoor room • Access to _________________

13. Prepare the site • Using ___________ and a measuring tape stake out the garden • Use 3 by 4 by 5 right triangle to have perpendicular sides • Remove __________ or other vegetation • May want to use nonselective herbicide • Want to prevent __________________

14. Prepare the site • Can use shovel, __________, or tractor to turn the soil • Good time to add soil amendments and ___________________ • _____________ digging • Traditional soil preparation method where a trench is dug and soil dug from trench