Evaluate soil. Try to start out with loose, drainable soil rich in organic matter. Add in rotted leafs, compost, and peat moss as needed. Some soil mixes may have these things in them. Also make sure to loosen soil before planting.
Draw out your plan. Think about how much space each plant needs to grow and ideal location in your yard to provide optimal water and sunlight.
Pick plants carefully. Perennial plants will keep growing back year after year. Also make sure you choose plants that will thrive in various weather conditions and out dry climate. Look for roots that are pale, untangled, and undangling.
Determine water needs. Figure out if your plant needs watering beyond normal rainfall. Choose plant with lower water requirements. Water in the morning, use rain barrels, or drip irrigation to meet your plant's watering needs while conserving water.
Get the right tools. Make sure to have a shovel, hand trowel (mini-shovel), wide-tine garden fork for de-weeding and mixing in compost, and good pruners to clip stems and branches.
Add fertilizers as need to further nourish plants. Try making your own compost by collecting old fruit and veggie scraps, eggshells, and coffee grinds, leaves, pine needles, grass clippings, and plant stalks and keeping them outside subjected to the elements to let it work its magic.
Top with mulch. You can make mulch by combining some compost with bark and chopped leaves. A nice layer on top will keep moisture, insulate roots, attract earthworms, prevent erosion and weed growth.
Keep pests away. Check your plants frequently at first to catch pests early. You can get rid of them with an all-natural insecticide of 6 cloves of garlic, one hot pepper, 1 tsp. liquid Castile soap, and1 gallon on water. Mix together, let sit for 2 days, strain water, and you're good to put it in your sprayer.
Keep animals out. Put up fencing or wiring to keep deer, rabbits, and mice out.
http://www.bhg.com/gardening/yard/garden-care/gardening-basics/#page=12
EMI Health is a nonprofit organization that has been providing health benefits in the Intermountain West for 80 years. We currently provide medical, dental, and vision coverage to more than 150,000 members in Utah and Arizona. For more information, visit EMIHealth.com.
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