Spring is nearly here, and a successful garden requires a little advance planning. A garden is a terrific way to enjoy your yard, a great hobby, and it gives your outdoor space some welcome bursts of color. Even if this is your first time planting a garden, with a little patience and time, you’ll be able to create something beautiful with just a modicum of effort. Here are some ideas for getting started on your new Chicago garden:

Pay Attention to the Sun

When you’re planning out where you’ll plant, you’ll really want to pay attention to the sun pattern in your yard, especially the way it shifts in the summer. This will not only guide where you plant, but also what you plant. Think about what types of plants you want to grow, and find out what kind of light they need. Do you have spots in your yard that get full sun? How about partial shade? Assessing your yard in terms of sunlight is a great place to start.

Water Access

Especially if you’re a gardening neophyte, setting your garden up by a water source like a hose can make the care it requires much easier to execute. If you have a smaller garden, a watering can might do the trick, but you’ll still likely be making several refills to hydrate your plants appropriately. If you’re planting your garden across the yard, be sure your hose long enough to reach. These are important things to consider so that you can free yourself of unnecessary work.

Choose Your Plants

As I mentioned earlier, you want to choose your plants based on the conditions in your yard. Visiting your local plant nursery will help you explore your options, and allow you to gain helpful information from the knowledgeable employees. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned gardener, there’s always more to be learned.

Consider Vegetables

While many home gardeners focus on flowering plants for their beauty and color, including vegetables in your gardening plans can benefit you in ways other than aesthetic. Vegetable gardens often require a little more attention, as you’ll probably want some kind of fencing to keep critters out from eating the things you’ve been working hard to grow.

Be Creative

Maybe you don’t have much outdoor space, or the idea of working in dirt for hours simply isn’t your thing. This doesn't mean you need to rule out a garden completely. Grabbing some larger pots and planting in them is a good alternative to planting directly in the ground. If you’re low on space, this can help create a beautiful garden right on your porch or patio.

If you’d like to talk more about planting the perfect Chicago garden, or if there’s something else I can be of assistance with, please get in touch. I’m always happy to help.