Would you like to have a garden that produces fresh vegetables every day? Or, you want to look out the window and see rows of colorful flowers? No matter the size of the yard, you can plan a garden according to your needs. Follow the description below for information on how to plan and start gardening.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Planning the Garden
Step 1. Decide what type of garden you want
What is the purpose/function of the garden you want to create? Some gardens function to produce fruits and vegetables that can be consumed by the family or simply sent to neighbors. While other types of gardens are intended as decoration, namely to create beauty in the residential environment and provide attractive views for people who pass by. If you're still unsure what type of garden you want, consider the following options:
- A vegetable garden can contain peppers, tomatoes, cabbage and lettuce, potatoes, pumpkins, carrots, and a variety of other vegetables. If the vegetables can grow well in your environment then you can look for ways to grow them in the yard.
- Flower gardens usually contain various types of flowers that can be planted with a strategy so that throughout the year there are always flowers that bloom. Some flower gardens are tiered with flowers planted in neat rows and patterns; while there are also parks that are deliberately made to impress wild/natural. Your personality and the condition of the yard will affect the type of flower garden you can create.
- Herbal gardens (gardens of medicinal plants and herbs) often complement both vegetable and flower gardens. In addition to providing beautiful flowers or producing vegetables, gardens are also useful as a provider of various medicines and kitchen spices. The herb garden may contain Mediterranean herbs (rosemary, thyme, cilantro, etc.); typical Indonesian spices (chili, turmeric, ginger, lemongrass, etc.); and various types of herbal plants at your disposal.
Step 2. Decide on the specific variety of plants that you will grow in the garden
Find out what types of plants grow well in your area. For example, through a link such as the following example zone finder. When you have found a lot of information about various plant options, then make a list of the plants you want to buy.
- Some types of plants do not grow well in certain zones. If you live in an area with mild winters and extreme summers, you may have problems growing crops that require cold weather to thrive.
- Unless you plan to create a fairly large garden, try to choose types of plants with relatively similar growth requirements. Do all these plants need the same type of soil and sun exposure? Otherwise, you will need to create a garden with several types of growing conditions. For small gardens, this method is relatively complicated and inconvenient.
Step 3. Choose an area for your garden
Take a close look at your yard environment to assess which area you would like your garden to be located in. We recommend that the location of the garden you choose can function as you want and is a conducive place for plants to thrive, be strong and healthy.
- No matter what type of garden you create, know that most types of plants will do better in fertile, well-draining soil. Avoid areas in your yard that are still flooded after heavy rains. This condition indicates that the soil is too moist (clay based) which is not good for plant growth.
- Most types of vegetables grow best with lots of sun. Therefore, if you create a vegetable garden, choose an area that is not covered by the shadow of large trees or your house. On the other hand, flower plants tend to be more flexible. If you want a flowering area on the side of the house, choose the type of flower that grows well even though it is partially or completely protected by the shadow of the house.
- If the quality of your soil is not good, you can make beds/dykes and plant flowers or vegetables on it. The beds are built on the ground by making a framework of wood (forming a field) and then filling it with soil.
- If you don't have a yard, you can still garden. Plant various types of flowers, medicinal plants and herbs, as well as certain vegetables in large pots that you can place on the terrace. You can move the pots around to get as much sun as the plants need.
Step 4. Create a garden design
Map out where you want to plant different types of crops in your chosen location. Customize the design you make with the character of each plant that you are going to grow. Make sure that plants that need shade are planted in shady areas that get shade, otherwise plants that need full sun should not be placed in areas that are covered in shade throughout the day.
- Take into account the space required by each type of plant, both when it starts to be planted and afterwards when it starts to grow big. Make sure whatever you want to grow will be suitable for your garden and have enough room to grow.
- Calculation of planting time. Different types of crops need to be planted at different times in different zones. For example, if you live in an area with moderate winters and extreme summers, you may need to plant flowers sooner than if you live in an area with extreme winters and shorter summers.
- If you are making a vegetable garden, make a design that will make it easier for you to walk in the middle of the garden to pick various vegetables that are ready to be harvested. For that purpose you may need to make a path through the garden.
- Flower gardens should be designed with aesthetic considerations in mind. Choose colors that look beautiful when combined, and make interesting patterns. Also think about when each type of plant begins to flower.
Method 2 of 3: Preparing to Plant
Step 1. Buy a variety of gardening necessities
You will need a variety of tools for gardening. But once you buy them, they'll last you a long time. You can find the best options at a home supply store, garden supply store, or nursery center. Provide the following needs:
- Seeds / seeds or plant seeds. When you start gardening, you can choose between seeds/seeds or plant seeds that are ready to plant. Check the list of plants you are interested in growing, then buy as many seeds or seedlings as you need for different parts of the garden.
- Soil fertilizer and humus. There are various types of fertilizers that can help plants grow healthy, including organic fertilizers such as bone meal (bone meal) made from crushed fish/animal bones, and blood meal (blood meal) made from animals. Meanwhile, topsoil comes in handy especially if you have a type of plant that needs extra protection.
- Mulch or compost. To protect them from bad weather and extreme temperatures, especially at the beginning of growth, some types of plants require compost or mulch (a cover made of organic materials such as straw, husks, etc. or inorganic materials such as plastic, rubber, etc.). Compost and mulch can be purchased at gardening centers or you can make your own.
- Soil tilling equipment. If you are planning to grow a large garden, you may need to purchase or rent a tractor. A small two-wheeled tractor pushed above the ground can help you break up, turn and loosen the soil to make it suitable for growing crops. For relatively smaller areas, just use a hoe and a soil rake.
- Sharp-tipped spades as well as flat-tipped shovels. Both of these tools will make it easier for you to dig a hole with the right size for the entry of seeds / seeds or plant seeds.
- Spray hose. Get a hose with an adjustable spray that allows you to make a light spray just to moisten or a full spray to water the plants, depending on your needs.
- Materials for making fences. If you have a vegetable garden, you may need a fence that surrounds your garden to protect your plants from nuisance by rabbits, squirrels, or neighboring pets.
Step 2. Prepare the soil
Use a tractor or rake to till the soil in the garden area you have mapped out. Work the soil to a depth of about 30 cm 12 inches (30.5 cm), making sure the soil is loose and no longer has large lumps. Remove rocks, plant root debris, as well as any distracting objects. Then add fertilizer to prepare for planting.
- Soil quality will affect the growth of your plants. You can buy a soil test kit to determine the amount of organic matter in it, the amount of nutrients, and the degree of acidity of the soil (soil pH). You can use this information to determine how much fertilizer and other ingredients should be added.
- Do not apply more fertilizer than the instructions given. Excess fertilizer can actually poison plants. Be aware that not all types of plants like soil with a lot of fertilizer, even some plants can benefit from the existing soil conditions. So, remember to know the soil character requirements of each plant you choose.
- If the soil test shows that your soil is too acidic (low pH) then you can add lime to increase the soil pH. On the other hand, if the soil is alkaline and you need to make it more acidic, you can add ingredients such as cottonseed meal, sulfur, pine bark, compost, and pine needle extract.
Method 3 of 3: Planting a Garden
Step 1. Plant seeds/seeds or plant seeds according to your design
Use a flat-tipped shovel to dig several holes a few centimeters apart, or as suggested on the package of seeds or plant seeds you purchased. Make sure the hole is deep and wide enough for the needs of each type of plant. Put the seeds or plant seeds into the hole, then cover it with soil and gently pat the soil.
Step 2. Apply fertilizer as needed
You may need to fertilize after planting. But it all depends on the type of plant you choose. Some types of plants may require more fertilizer than others. Therefore, make sure you apply fertilizer to the appropriate area.
Step 3. Add compost, mulch or humus as needed
Some types of plants need to be covered with compost, mulch or humus thick enough to protect them while the seeds are sprouting and when the plants are very young and fragile. We recommend using your hands to spread the covering material. However, to cover a large area, you can use a soil spreader.
- Some types of compost and mulch are not suitable for certain types of plants. Do some research on the produce you are planting to make sure you are using the right ground cover.
- A layer that is too thick will inhibit plant growth. So, make sure you add a layer of cover according to the needs of each type of plant.
Step 4. Water the garden
After planting and treating the soil, water the garden with a spray hose. Spray lightly to make it wet/moist. Next, water the garden every day, the amount of watering can be different for each area depending on the needs of the plant. Do it for the first few weeks after planting.
- Soil that is saturated with water has the potential to inundate the seeds/seeds and will inhibit their growth. Do not water in areas where there is running water across the garden.
- Never allow the soil to dry completely. Watering once a day will suffice, but it's okay to lightly spray more than once to keep your garden moist.
- Water the plant as soon as it sprouts. Do watering in the morning, and not at night. Water left on leaves and stems throughout the night can promote the growth of mold and other plant diseases.
- After a few weeks, reduce the frequency of watering the plants. Water the plant with plenty of water 2-3 times a week or as needed.
Step 5. Weed the weeds
Growing weeds will take nutrients from the soil and leave little for your plants. Mow your garden every few days to make sure your plants get the nutrients they need. Be careful when weeding so that your plants are not uprooted.
A stirrup-shaped hoe can help you get rid of weeds before they grow bigger. You just need to pull the hoe just below the soil surface between the plants to remove the weeds
Step 6. Consider building a fence
If you see small animals, such as rabbits, squirrels, and moles in your garden or in a neighbor's garden, you may feel irritated and want to put up a fence to protect your garden. Fence as high as 60-90 cm is enough to prevent the entry of these nuisance animals.
Step 7. Watch for signs of moles
These nuisance animals can really damage the plants in the garden. Read other articles to find out how to control mole infestation.
Tips
- If you don't use a soil test, you may still be able to get information about the soil you are planting by watching the weeds grow. Say you want to grow dandelions that like very fertile soil. If your soil doesn't grow weeds, then it's possible that the soil isn't very fertile. If weeds grow but look unhealthy it indicates a nutrient deficient soil. So, if you want to plant dandelions in the soil, fertilizer must be added. Some types of plants may like acidic soil, and so on.
- To find out how well the soil is draining, use the following simple test. First, dig a hole with a height of 30 cm and a width of 60 cm, then fill it with water. If it takes 1-12 minutes to dry, the soil is very well draining and will dry out easily. If it takes 12-30 minutes to dry, the soil has good drainage. However, if the time required is 30 minutes to 4 hours, then the area does not have good drainage, but can be used to plant types of plants that like wet/humid land. Meanwhile, if the drying time is more than 4 hours, then you cannot plant it before improving soil quality.
