Once you've chosen a purpose for your garden plot, and decided on the plants you want it is time to sow. Each seed package or starter plantlets you buy will have instructions for planting. Keep in mind the other plants you'll be adding and take into account the area they need as well.
Seeds are easy to lose of so mark rows where you'll be planting. The easiest way to do this is with a piece of string and two sticks. Just place a stake at one end of the row, tie the twine to it and run it to the other end of the row. Tie off the string and your row is marked. Do this before planting for all your rows and you'll be able to sow your plants easily. It also makes it much easier afterwards to see what's sprouting and keeps you from treading on the row.
Plant the entire row of seeds and cover with a thin layer of earth. After planting, lightly water the seeds. A light sprinkler or hand held wand sprayer on a mist adjustment works well. Do not over-water or you will wash the seeds right out of the ground. The result could be no plants growing in your garden, or a pumpkin growing in the grass. Instead, water gently, yet frequently. Keeping the seeds moist is the most beneficial way to get them started so water a few times a day for the first few days.
When planting seedlings, begin in early morning or in the evening. Never plant in the middle of the day with the sun beating down. Dig a hole ample enough for the plant root to fit in. Do not bury it too deep and don't leave the roots exposed to the air. Pack dirt firm around the root area and add mulch around the base of the plant. Then, water thoroughly. The mulch will assist to keep the humidity around the plant higher and help it get acclimated. It also keeps the root area moist, keeping the plant from wilting.
If you're planting seeds, hold off until the plants are a couple of inches tall and then add mulch around them as well. Straw works bang-up and is rather easy to obtain from a local farmer. Just distribute the straw around the plants in a 2-4 inch thick layer. Keep it from covering the plants themselves, just provide them a small hole to poke out of. Water the straw heavily once layed down. The straw will act to keep moisture in and mask out weeds and it clears a decent surface to walk or kneel on also.
Most souls are unsure of how to decently water their garden and water way too much, way too little or at the incorrect time of day. The best time to irrigate your garden is in the evening as the sun fades or very early in the morning. Never water with a sprinkler or spray the leaves directly. You could burn your plant leaves. Sounds strange, but it's dead on, water drops on plant leaves amplify sunshine like a magnifying glass. The effects are brown, dead, burned spots on leaves. Early morning sprinkler watering allows the water to evaporate and not cook the leaves. Nights are better for slow, drip watering as it permits the plant to soundly absorb the moisture.
Add compost to your garden to help feed your plants as they develop. Also consider applying other organic fertilizers such as cow or horse manure. They add a boost of nitrogen to your dirt and encourage robust plant growth and high rewards at harvest time.
During your growing season, check your plants for dead leaves and other problems. Keep the weed population down by pulling them and adding them to the compost. Keep your plants from drying out by contributing mulch as needed. Irrigate on a steady, logical schedule and keep your plants fertilized. Your garden will show you just how happy it is by growing strong and producing a healthy harvest at the end of the season.
