10 Essential Steps to Cultivate Your Ideal Garden This Year

Depending on your planting goals and location, this tip might arrive a bit late, but you can still attempt to catch up or plan for next year. Beginning seeds indoors provides a head start on the growing season and is more cost-effective than purchasing starter plants. Resources like the gardening calendar at All Things Plants can guide you on when to start seeds indoors or transplant them outdoors, tailored to your region’s last frost date. (Additionally, consider repurposing coffee grounds into biodegradable starter pots, and handle your seedlings with care by misting them lightly instead of drenching them with water.)

Just like with kitchen utensils, DIY tools, and most equipment, sharpness is key. Prepare your pruning shears, shovels, and other gardening tools ahead of time to save yourself time and effort later. Even your lawn mower blade might benefit from a good sharpening and a thorough tuneup. Pro tip: Maintain your garden tools after every use to ensure they remain in excellent condition for years.

What if you’re eager to garden but have no idea where to start? Or perhaps you’ve tried before but lack a natural talent for it? These beginner-friendly ideas and resources, like container gardening, can help you succeed whether it’s your first attempt or your fiftieth. Bag gardens, for instance, are not only low-maintenance but also address soil problems and help improve soil quality for future seasons. Additionally, if you have children, involve them in the process. It’s both educational and enjoyable, and it might even encourage them to adopt healthier eating habits.

One of the most satisfying parts of gardening, aside from watching your plants thrive (or harvesting your vegetables in a veggie garden), is placing them into soft, well-prepared soil. However, the hard work of preparing that soil—breaking up clumps, raking, and aerating—can be less enjoyable. Proper soil preparation is essential before planting. Gizmodo outlines how to prepare your soil:

If last year’s abundant harvest has drained your soil’s nutrients, you’ll need to enrich it before planting again. Soil amendment involves adding materials to improve or alter its physical properties. For instance, sandy soils require amendments to enhance water and nutrient retention, while clay soils need additives to boost aeration and drainage. Purchase a soil test kit from a local home improvement store to check your soil’s pH level. This, combined with your soil type, will guide you in selecting the right amendments. Bring a small soil sample when buying the kit to avoid a second trip for amendments. Once you have everything, dig up the top 6 to 12 inches of soil, mix in the amendments thoroughly, and level the surface with a rake.

While you’re at it, mix coffee grounds into your soil to repel slugs and pests while delighting acid-loving plants. For weedy areas, consider using cardboard to smother weeds or try these DIY weed killers to prevent regrowth.

Compost is the ultimate superfood for plants. Transform kitchen scraps, leaves, grass clippings, and other organic waste into nutrient-packed fertilizers and soil enhancers. A worm-powered compost bin speeds up the process compared to traditional aerobic methods, but if worms aren’t your thing, you can brew compost tea, blend food scraps for quick compost, or check if your local community provides free compost (and mulch). Once you’ve cleared the planting area and removed weeds, spread a 4-inch layer of compost over new beds and mix it thoroughly into the soil along with other nutrients.

Winter is actually the ideal time to prune trees and shrubs, as it reduces the risk of disease before new growth and warmer weather arrive. However, this tip might be more useful for next year. Ensure you prune correctly to avoid causing permanent harm to your plants. According to BHG, fruit trees should be pruned before buds start blooming; otherwise, stressing the tree could result in a smaller harvest. Additionally, dividing perennials before their spring growth begins is highly recommended.

Even the most skilled gardeners would struggle to grow sun-loving plants like daisies in shaded areas. Plants must be suited to their environment, including soil type, light conditions, and climate. Fortunately, many plants are adaptable. Consider these seven easy-to-grow vegetables for your backyard, low-water plants, varieties that thrive in both sun and shade, and vegetables that offer the best return on your effort. You might also explore companion planting to maximize growth. To choose the right plant for the right spot, evaluate sunlight exposure, soil moisture, and your region’s hardiness zone. Tech tools like plant sensors can further optimize your garden’s success.

It’s also important to know how long your new plants will take to grow, their mature size, and, for vegetables, when they’ll be ready to harvest. This chart provides a handy guide for many vegetables (specific to the northern hemisphere). For more details, consult the Farmer’s Almanac. For ornamental plants, the process is simpler—nurseries typically sell plants when they’re in bloom, making it easy to pick what you like and suits your outdoor space.

Whether you’re determined to grow 100 pounds of potatoes in just four square feet or have vast acreage to cultivate, a well-thought-out plan is essential for a successful garden. Smart Gardener can help you map out your garden or landscape, suggest a planting plan based on your chosen plants and location, and provide a personalized gardening checklist along with other smart features.

If space is limited (or you simply appreciate symmetry), consider a square foot garden, which allocates 1x1 square foot sections to specific plants and can be budget-friendly. Alternatively, rounded edges can maximize planting space. Over the years, we’ve highlighted various vertical and small-space gardening ideas, such as the shoe organizer herb garden, shipping pallet garden, and the straightforward salad in a box.