THE GREENHOUSE SHOW

New year, new garden: plan before you plant

Jan 4, 2020, 9:33 AM | Updated: 10:44 am

2020 written on a rustic wooden board, summer sunflowers and wild flowers in the background...

2020 written on a rustic wooden board, summer sunflowers and wild flowers in the background


SALT LAKE CITY- The beginning of the new year is a great time to set goals and refresh many aspects of your life, including your garden. Whether you are new to gardening, or just want to start freshly planning for the new year, there is no better time than now to get started. 

Draw it out

The best way to start any garden, is with a plan. Mapping out your garden online or specifically drawing out your set up on paper, will help give you proper placement in planting. This will also allow you to plan out the right amount of seeds to purchase for your garden. 

Group your plants 

When mapping out your garden it is important to group your plants together from small to large. For example, in one general group plant smaller plants like beets, onions, carrots, and lettuce. In another group place larger plants such as corn tomatoes and potatoes.

Plants that need wider spacing, such as melons and cucumbers, would be included in another group. The reason for this grouping is that various plants in a group will require similar treatments during growth making it easier to keep track of what you are growing. 

Location matters 

Selecting the location for your garden is another big step in the planning process.  The most adequate location for a vegetable garden should incorporate at least six hours of sunlight throughout the day, a level location, proper drainage and air circulation, and loose rich soil. 

It is also important to give priority sunlight to those plants that need it most. Plants that must ripen their fruits such as tomatoes and egg plants require more sunlight than plants like lettuce, spinach and kale. So keep that in mind if you are needing to be picky about placement!  

Start small 

If you are just starting out, it is recommended to start with a small space for a garden at first than being overwhelmed by a larger area with more plants. Most beginning gardens are most maintainable at a size around 10 x 10 feet with a limit of 5 plants to take care of. Keep it simple and start slow.  

Order seeds early

Gardening season seems far off with the cold temperatures of winter; however, it will be here sooner than you think!  January is the busiest time of year for seed companies. Order seeds ahead of time so you can make sure you get what you want and on time. There are many plant catalogs available to help you get started in the ordering process!  

Plant in good soil  

Select a soil with proper drainage to ensure that water doesn’t drain away too quickly or collect on top. Make sure to provide your soil with compost to provide needed nutrients for sustainability.  

When to start planting  

Once you have your seeds and soil in order, schedule the right time to plant! It is good to make sure  you are not too early and not too late.  Some plants benefit from being started indoors before being moved to the actual garden plot as well, which is another reason to purchase your seeds ASAP.  To see more about when to start your seeds click here 

As mentioned above, starting a garden can be intimidating at first, but with some specific plans put in action you will have a garden growing in no time! 

The KSL Greenhouse Show wishes you the best of luck in your garden! Make sure to let us know how your progress is and call into the show every Saturday from 8 – 11 a.m. to get your questions answered on air!

 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

The Greenhouse Show

Last week on the KSL Greenhouse show, Taun and Maria gave some options for weed control on our lawn...

Michelle Lee

Weed control options for your lawn

A healthy lawn needs an application of fertilizer at least once or twice a year. Additionally, you may need to use a weed killer occasionally.

11 months ago

flowers are pictured in a greenhouse, learn how to grow annual plants and flowers with KSL Greenhou...

Michelle Lee

How to successfully grow annual plants in containers

Brian Lloyd from Olson’s Greenhouse joined the latest KSL Greenhouse show and shared tips on how to successfully grow annual plants in a container.

11 months ago

On last week’s KSL Greenhouse show, Taun and Maria talked about everything you need to know about...

Michelle Lee

What to know about planting trees

SALT LAKE CITY – It’s time to start planting trees! On last week’s KSL Greenhouse show, Taun and Maria discussed everything you need to know about buying and planting trees. “Right now the best selection of trees you’re going to find in garden centers is during April and early May,” Taun said. Some people start […]

11 months ago

...

KSL Greenhouse Show

KSL Greenhouse Show’s Dig Around Town Community Calendar

The KSL Greenhouse Show is launching a community calendar called Dig Around Town, to bring you March local gardening events! 

11 months ago

On the latest KSL Greenhouse show, Taun and Maria talked about the many things you can do to care f...

Michelle Lee

Time to get started on spring lawn care

On the latest KSL Greenhouse show, Taun and Maria talked about what you can do to care for your lawn during the warm spring weather.

11 months ago

On the latest KSL Greenhouse show, horticulturists Sheriden Hansen and Liz Hamilon joined Maria Shi...

Michelle Lee

Tips for planting and growing peas in Utah

Pea planting season in Utah usually begins around April 15, but because of ongoing snow, some are starting by growing peas indoors.

12 months ago

Sponsored Articles

close up of rose marvel saliva blooms in purple...

Shannon Cavalero

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Utah

The best drought tolerant plants for Utah can handle high elevations, alkaline soils, excessive exposure to wind, and use of secondary water.

Group of cheerful team members high fiving each other...

Visit Bear Lake

How To Plan a Business Retreat in Bear Lake This Spring

Are you wondering how to plan a business retreat this spring? Read our sample itinerary to plan a team getaway to Bear Lake.

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...

BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a New Winter Activity? Try Skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.

Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...

Intermountain Health

Five Common Causes of Cervical Cancer – and What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.

Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get Ready for Fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

New year, new garden: plan before you plant