Home Gardening Outdoor Gardening Start-a-Garden Checklist Whether you’re itching to plant azaleas or zucchini―or something in between―you need to do a little handiwork before you begin. Here’s what you need to know. By Real Simple Editors Real Simple Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter An article attributed to "Real Simple Editors" indicates a collaborative effort from our in-house team. Sometimes, several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The REAL SIMPLE team strives to make life easier for you. They are experts in their fields who research, test and clearly explain the best recipes, strategies, trends and products. They have worked for some of the most prestigious brands in lifestyle journalism, including Apartment Therapy, Better Homes & Gardens, Food & Wine, the Food Network, Good Housekeeping, InStyle, Martha Stewart Living, O: The Oprah Magazine, Parents, POPSUGAR, Rachel Ray Every Day, and Vogue. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 3, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Gadge Assess your exposure.Most vegetables need at least eight hours of full sun every day. Flowers and other decorative plants have different sunlight needs, depending on their type. Study what sort of light your yard gets during the day, particularly noting the sunny and shady areas. Designate your planting areas.You need a plan before you plant. A 4-by-4-foot plot of land is a good start for vegetables. For flowers, decide where you'd like to dig the beds. Consider a fence.Fences are especially important if you are planting vegetables (although some flowering plants may be enticing to critters, too). Build it before you plant the garden, so rabbits or raccoons never get a glimpse (or a taste) of that lettuce. Know your dirt.Most soil—even sand—can be enriched with compost and be fine for planting. But you need to determine how much organic material and mulch to add to make it fertile. A local gardening center can help. Decide between tilling and creating a raised bed.If you don't want to till and nourish the soil you've got—or if you have a bad back and would rather not be bending down so low to garden—you can build a raised planting bed with non-pressure-treated wood. Contact your local cooperative extension service.The U.S. Department of Agriculture has a network of cooperative extension services that can help you determine what plants will grow in your part of the country when frosts are likely to hit, and the ideal time to plant and harvest. Write down your preferences.For a vegetable garden, think about what you like to eat and what you generally buy (or can't find) at a local farmers' market. With flowers, make a list of the colors you love and what you'd like to see in a vase on your kitchen table. Make a seasonal plan.Once you determine what will grow, what you like, and what time of year certain plants will flourish, create a schedule. If your flowering plants all bloom in July and then die off, have some evergreen plants to keep the area looking lush. If your tomato plants take months to get big, plant smaller vegetables nearby that can make quick use of the space. A local gardening center can help you plan. Buy some basic tools.Have these essentials on hand before you begin: a spade, garden fork, soaking hose, hoe, hand weeder, and a basket for moving around mulch or soil. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit