Gardening Designs

I sit down to plan my garden space this year I am a bit overwhelmed with all the ideas that are rolling around in my head. I know I can go big or small depending on the level of time or dedication I have this year. I decided to plan my design step by step online and share some of my tips on how to plan a wonderful garden space. For my garden friends who may be having gardeners block here are a few ideas for you I hope you enjoy them.

First and most important how many plants will I have time to tend? To plant or not to plant that is the question. I love fresh cucumbers so it's a safe bet I will have to have them every year no matter where I live or how much space I have they will definitely be a part of my summer activities. I also love fresh tomatoes and I love to make fresh salsa but this year I may do things a bit different due to the fact I have limited time. Rather than plant enough to can I will plant just a few plants to have fresh throughout the summer months. Next my big space hogs but my all time favorite is squash. Squash is the biggest crop I plan on including in my garden this year. No pumpkins this year kiddies sorry.

Next I will plan out how much space I will need for the number of plants I plan on planting. Here is my simple planting space guide for my small garden this year. I figure out what plants my garden will include first. Next I figure out how much space each plant requires minimal amount of course because my space is limited this year.

Starting with my plants I list what I want to plant and companion plants that will do well next to them:

Lettuce planted with Cucumbers

Spinach planted with Green Beans and peas

Tomatoes planted next to Spinach and Lettuce

Yellow Squash planted next to Marigold and Cucumbers

Zucchini Squash planted next to Marigold and Cucumbers

Cucumbers planted next to Squash and with beans and peas

Green Beans planted with peas next to Squash

Bell Peppers plant near Tomatoes

Jalapenos plant near Tomatoes

Mums plant near Tomatoes

Marigold can be planted to boarder the garden but plant near Garlic to repel snails

Garlic near Cucumber, Lettuce and Peas

Catnip Six Hills Giant plant near edges of garden to control pests

Peppermint Spearmint plant on edges of yard to mow often smells great and repels ants and other small pests

I plan to do companion planting as I do every year so of course my planting design will be to utilize my space as efficiently as possible. For me my plan will include planting vegetables that have benefits for one another when planted together. One example is I am planting my green beans and peas next to my cucumbers because the beans will add nitrogen into the soil making it unnecessary to add any other chemical fertilizers to the cucumbers and peas next to them. I will plant smaller shade tolerant plants along side larger companion plants that love full sun.

I also love to incorporate natural pest repellents where I can.

Marigolds are great to repel pests such as white flies and they also kill bad nematodes. I have been told that wild rabbits do not like the smell of Marigold either and will stay away from it. You can plant Marigolds next to Tomatoes or Squash and they will do well. Con: Spider mites and snails like Marigold.

Garlic is one of my all time favorites not just because I dislike snakes and they dislike garlic but also because garlic if you plant it near your roses it will repels little pesky aphids. Other things that dislike garlic are carrot root flies, codling moths, Japanese beetles, root maggots, and the ever present and destructive buggers the snail.

Sunflowers are great to attract the ants away from your garden area so plant the near by but out of your garden area to have better luck with keeping ants out of your garden space. Cons: Attracts ants where you plant them.

Chrysanthemum or Mum is a great plant to boarder your garden with because it keeps bugs away such as ants, roaches, bedbugs, ticks silverfish, lice, fleas, Japanese beetles and it kills root nematodes. This is without a doubt a plant that you should consider having in your garden yearly. I like to keep mums in areas they are free to come back every year they will spread so you can separate them and share them with friends if you wish.

Catnip repels a lot of different things aphids, Japanese beetles, flea beetles, those nasty squash bugs, and pesky ants. Cons: Attract kitty cats cats of course :)

12 inches = 1 foot

18 inches = 1 1/2 feet

24 inches = 2 feet

Happy gardening to you this year. Let me know what you plan to do this year. Feel free to leave me some of your favorite planting tips and ideas. I am always looking for new ideas and tips I just love gardening. If you have not tried having a garden try it you might be surprised how relaxing it is. The kids love picking fresh vegetables and they tend to eat more healthy without even realizing it because they worked hard to grow it. I love to get out doors and spend the entire afternoon doing nothing but gardening and enjoying the sunshine. I hope you have a wonderful garden this year. Happy planting and prosperous growing!