Dear Just Be: I want to plant a garden this year. Any tips?

The first tip for planting a garden is plant in this month, May. But let me go back, the first tip in planting a garden is to plan your garden. Write down the plants you would like to have at your finger tips and then research if those plants can be grown in your climate. When it comes to figuring out how many of one plant you want to have, keep in mind that having more of one kind is not always a good thing. Plants can become prolific producers, so if there are two of you in the household you probably don’t need four tomato plants. You will be up to your ears in tomatoes and there is only so much you can or will want to make with them.

The next tip is to prepare your soil. Serious gardeners will go so far as having their soil tested to make sure it has the correct pH for plants to thrive. You might decide to do that down the road when you have become an expert gardener, but at first you should be fine with mixing up your soil with three to four inches of organic compost. Adding compost will change the texture of the soil a little and that is what you want. In Colorado we have heavy clay and alkaline soil and compost helps to hold air and water in the soil. The best way to mix your soil is with a rototiller. Rototillers can be rented from most local home improvement stores. As you are mixing up the soil take out any rocks and sticks that you find. Rocks and sticks do not add to your garden, but impede the growth of the plants. When using the rototiller, you can also add in some well-rotted manure and mix this deep into the soil. When purchasing or selecting the manure be aware of its age. If the manure hasn’t been well aged (a year or so) the E.coli bacteria could be present in the manure. Tender leafy spinach and lettuce are known for harboring the bacteria. When you are done tilling the soil, let it dry out. Then come in and add an irrigation drip system. A drip system is a huge help in the hot summer months, as well as all growing season.

The next tip is figuring out where to plant your plants. When doing this consider the size of the plant as it matures, if it requires shade or sun and if it is a sprawling plant. In years to follow it is recommended you change the placement of where you plant to help with the soil and to not perpetuate any diseases or bugs.

The final tip in planting a garden is be patient. At first it will take a while for your plants to come up and flourish, but when they do be prepared to work in your garden multiple times a week. Working your garden will entail pulling weeds, watering, tilling the soil – not very deeply, and the best part… picking fruits and vegetables that ready to harvest. Growing a garden is hard work, but one of the most relaxing and rewarding projects out there.