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We’re so excited to host this article written by Carrie Spencer of Thespencersadventures.net – her family has worked towards a self-sufficient homestead and we’re lucky to have her share the insights they’ve gained from their family adventures on the mini-farm!

So, you’re ready to start a garden, but you’re not exactly sure of what all is involved. While keeping a few plants in your home can be simple enough, planting a full garden is another story. Below, Prime Bees Apiary in partnership with The Spencer Adventures has provided 12 practical tips and resources for anyone who is looking to lay the groundwork for a productive garden:

Laying It Out

The first step of planting a garden is determining the best layout for the crops you want to grow. 

• Choose a site for your garden that provides exposure to sunlight and access to water.
• Hire a surveyor to ensure your garden isn’t crossing into your neighbor’s property. 
• Determine what crops you want to grow (e.g., fruits, vegetables, herbs, etc.).

Getting the Right Tools

As with any project, having the right tools will prove invaluable in maintaining a bountiful garden. Here are a few types of tools to invest in:

• Garden hoes are used to root out weeds, prepare beds, and break up soil. 
• Rakes will help you keep unwanted leaves, dirt, and mulch out of your garden. 
• You need a good shovel for digging holes and creating new planter beds.  

Irrigation Methods

Needless to say, your plants will need water to stay healthy and thriving. There are several different irrigation methods to consider for your garden:

• Using a sprinkler system is effective for large gardens; they use less water than furrow irrigation but lose a significant amount of water from evaporation. 
• Furrow irrigation is very effective for gardens that contain rows of raised beds; this type of system must be installed when you plant the garden. 
• One of the easiest irrigation methods is to use a soaker hose; though they are not known for distributing water evenly on hillsides, soaker hoses lose very little water from evaporation. 

Caring for the Soil 

Finally, it’s essential to figure out ways that you can maintain the health of your soil. Here are some ideas:

• Test the soil to determine what nutrients are missing. 
• Fill in your soil’s nutrient gaps by spreading a fertilizer. 

As you can see, there’s a lot to starting a garden! But it can also be one of life’s most rewarding projects. Consider the tips and resources above as you plan out your garden, and keep researching other steps and techniques that could help you develop and maintain the healthiest garden possible.