Prep Your Garden for Edibles

• Know where the sun hits. To plan your garden for edibles, first know where the sun hits in spring and summer. Most edibles need at least six hours of full sunlight. Also investigate shade areas, since some edibles can take or prefer shady afternoons, such as blueberries, peas, beets, chives, mint and salad greens.
• Placement is key. Use graph paper and sketch out a plan. When planning your garden, consider seasonal temperatures and weather patterns, such as wind or strong storms. Edibles grow best when sheltered from strong wind. Consider placing them near a fence, hedge or other structure that can shield them. Also pay close attention to cool vs. warm-season vegetables, herbs and fruits and plant according to season.
• Consider size. Because some edibles need plenty of space to branch out, research your plants before they go into the ground. Remember that tomatoes need plenty of space to grow. Pineapple sage, a perennial herb in Southern regions, needs about 3 feet around each plant as it spreads out. For small-space gardeners, look for compact varieties (some times labeled "patio") of veggies and herbs.

• Perform a soil test. Get a soil test kit or send a sample to your local Cooperative Extension Service and amend your soil according to the results.
• Prepare your soil. If you haven’t already amended your soil, loosen the soil by digging or tilling 6 to 8 inches deep with a garden fork. Mix in compost and other organic amendments to give your soil a nutrient boost and a solid start for the growing season. Read more about the types of soil available.
• Build ahead. If you’re using new raised garden beds, now is a great time to build them and fill with organic raised bed soil so everything is in place for the upcoming season.
• Clean up and tidy your garden, raised garden beds, containers and window boxes. Wear protective gardening gloves and use the right garden tools, such as a garden rake and pruning shears to clear away any leftover plant material from last year.
• Watch your step. When working in your garden beds, be careful while the ground is soggy or icy. Walking around in those conditions will compact the soil, making it difficult for plant roots to penetrate.
• Uncover your plants. If your existing cold-season veggies have plant covers, check underneath and look for new buds or shoots. Those are signs to remove the plant covers.

• Plan to start your vegetable seeds indoors. Check the “days to germinate” and add the “days to maturity.” Working with your area’s last frost date, use this sum and count backward to get the ideal date to begin planting seeds. Find your area's average date of final frost in spring in this chart.
• Know when to plant seedlings. In some areas of the country, you’re almost ready to plant your edibles, while others may still be covered in snow. Check the frost chart to know when it’s ideal to plant specific edibles you plan for your garden. Just be sure your plan calls for spreading out your planting schedule so that you have crops maturing at different intervals all season long.
• Get ready with a cover. Invest in a plant cover or use a cold frame to avoid plant damage in case of an unexpected frost when you get to the planting phase. You could make a cover using a milk jug with the bottom cut out. Just make sure to remove covers during the day. A large or portable greenhouse is another option if you’re starting lots of edibles at once and have the space.
• Stock up on mulch. When the weather is right, you’ll want to have mulch on hand after you plant your seedlings. Mulch helps control weed growth and retain moisture. In weather extremes, mulch will help safeguard your plants from conditions ranging from cold weather and frost to blistering heat.
• Investigate watering devices. Because you’ll want to keep plants and soil moist, begin the season the right way. Check out our variety of watering devices, such as hose timers, hose connectors, soaker hoses, drip irrigation and irrigation systems.

Learn more about essential spring garden projects with lawn prep and preparing your garden for flowers.