Paul James, host of HGTV's Gardening by the Yard, offers advice on starting a new garden. Any time is a good time to start, as long as the ground isn't frozen solid or soaking wet. If you're new to gardening, it makes sense to start small. In the early days, bugs, weeds and diseases can be discouraging. As your confidence and abilities increase, so can the size of your garden. Try to situate your garden in an area that gets at least six hours of sun a day. Typically, that will be a spot that faces due south or southeast. Your garden should also be conveniently placed near the house and a water source. If you have a compost pile, place the garden in close proximity to make it easier to maintain. Keep your garden away from mature trees that could invade your soil with their roots. Avoid underground utility lines too. It's important to provide good air circulation for your garden to help it stave off fungal diseases. Avoid planting beside solid walls or fences. To mark the perimeter of your garden, use a garden hose or a string attached to stakes. To keep grass from growing into the garden, install a border of plastic, metal, wood or stone -- or dig a trench at the edge. Most likely, your garden spot will be covered with turf grass. Don't till the grass into the soil, as it will produce thousands of tiny sprigs that will sprout again. Remove the sod with a shovel to a depth of about 4", and cart it from the garden. Replace the sod with a mixture of leaves and compost to a depth of 3" or 4". Water this area well for a week or two. As weeds pop up, pull them out with a slight tug. You can use the sod you removed to cover bare spots in the yard or stack it upside down and in layers so it can turn into compost. If clay or rock is a problem in your garden, you can construct a frame on top of the ground for planting. Be sure to use rot-resistant lumber. Once filled with organic matter, the frame is ready to plant. Here's a low-intensity method of getting rid of turf. (Be patient: it takes about a year.) Cover the lawn with a thick layer of newspaper, then top with 4" of compost, straw or shredded leaves. Once the newspaper breaks down, the lawn underneath should be dead, and you can plant.
RESOURCES :
For tools from the Gardener's Supply Co.
Gardener's Supply Company
Burlington, VT 05401-2850
Fax: 800-551-6712 -or- 80
Email: info@gardeners.com
Website: www.gardeners.com
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