Is your front lawn looking pretty empty? Is something missing from your backyard?

Plant a garden to spruce up the look of your verdant landscaping! Not only does it add value to your home, but it gives you something pretty to look at any time of the day.

Not sure where to begin? Here are a few helpful hints:

Choose a Spot

What’s the point of having a garden if you are not going to enjoy its beauty? First and foremost, you should plant your garden in the place where you will enjoy it the most. Perhaps you can view it from a large picture window in the living room or from the lanai/patio in the backyard.

Second, you must take into consideration where the most sun hits your property. Many plants turn their faces towards the sun. This means that your plants will be facing west in the afternoon and early evening. Also remember, an afternoon heat is dryer than early morning, so you must be prepared to water your garden regularly if it is constantly exposed to the sun.

Start Small

Over time, you may want to create a huge sanctuary for pretty perennials and flourishing flowers. However, if you are planting your first garden, make sure to plant something that is easy to maintain. Once your small collection of foliage begins to blossom, if you enjoy the task of keeping up the lovely look of your new-and-improved green space, you can always add to it!

Check the Soil

1. pH: Some plants cannot soak up the necessary nutrients unless the soil is at a certain pH. If you purchase plants from a nursery, there should be a label that tells you the pH needed to grow the plant. If it is not listed, a neutral range of 6.2-6.8 is fine.
2. Texture: Whether your soil is rocky, sandy or anything else, if your soil is not the perfect mixture of dirt, it can always be improved with compost, which you can purchase from a local nursery.

Prepare the Bed

If you are lucky enough to have a small area that is full of soil, not sod, then all you have to do is make sure to clear out weeds and any unnecessary plant-life growing in your soon-to-be garden. If you choose an area that is grassy, you are going to have to remove the sod and add a bit of fertilizer to the soil beneath the grass.

Choose What You Want to Grow

After you have determined which plants need a lot or a little sun and which plants need a certain pH, you are ready to garden! Start by choosing colors that you like. You can choose your favorite colors, or colors that complement the hues of your home. You may also want to take a walk around the neighborhood and see what other people like to put on their lawn. However, keep the variety of the types of plants limited. This way, you know your bed will have the perfect pH in the soil and the perfect positioning towards the sun for the plant you choose. You can always spice up the space with several different colors!

Stay tuned for the second part of this series for more tips on finishing that pretty garden!