If you’re planting a garden in the window sill of your apartment, you should purchase the proper soil at the gardening shop. If you’re planting in your backyard or anywhere outdoors, you need to find out what kind of soil you’re dealing with.
Pick up a wad of dirt and squeeze it together. If it crumbles and falls apart, you’re all set. If it sticks together, your soil is too wet to start planting.
"But I thought wet soil was good!" you’re saying.
Watering the plants is good but if your soil is too wet in the beginning, when it finally dries out it will harden together, blocking the growth of your seeds.
Wait for the ground to dry out, or if the soil is naturally moist, dig up an area and place the dirt on a garbage bag. Once the soil dries, remove the bag and you’re ready to plant your seeds.
What You'll Need to Plant
Okay, you’ve decided where you want to put your garden, what you want to put in it, and about how much time you have to invest. Excellent!
Now it’s time to gather up supplies.
Seeds
Trowel or rake
Small shovel
Bucket
Ruler
Fertilizer
Hose or watering can
Seed markers
Planting
The soil is the very foundation of your garden. Now that you know it’s not too moist for planting, groom it in preparation for your seeds. Rake through, removing rocks, debris, and anything that might interfere with the growth process.
Condition your soil with the fertilizer appropriate for what you’re planting. Your new plants will appreciate some extra nutrients to help them in their growth but don’t over-do it! That could counteract the positive affect you’re trying to provide. Just follow the directions and add the amount your gardening expert recommends.
Okay, now plan out where you want everything to be. As you discussed the appearance of your garden when you purchased your seeds, you probably have a good idea of what you’re hoping for. Still, best to put it down on paper in a simple drawing so you know exactly where you want every new vegetable to go.
Dig trenches. You know where you’re going to put everything, now follow your guide and dig trenches in between each section. Leave enough room to walk through the rows without having to step on any of your plants.
Time to plant! With your ruler, measure the proper distance (it will say on your seed packet) to put each variety of seed into the ground. It’s very important you are accurate on this, as being too close to the surface or too deep in the ground can kill a potential plant.
With the seed marker, mark what row you’re planting then drop your seeds into the holes. Lightly cover with the dirt. Pat the dirt down gently.
Using your watering can (at this stage more effective than the hose), water your row of freshly planted seeds. Not too much to start – you want to let the dirt settle into itself, not wash it away.