Planning to Garden This Year?

Start Here! 🌱

Are you ready to start your gardening journey but feeling unsure about where to begin? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! I remember how overwhelming it felt when I first started gardening. That’s why I’ve created this step-by-step checklist to help you avoid the common pitfalls and create the garden of your dreams. Use my free Garden Planning Checklist as your step-by-step roadmap to a thriving garden. 🌼

A garden full of veggies and flowers. Planning to garden this year? Use the free garden planning checklist from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.com.

Your Garden Foundation: First Steps

Before grabbing those tempting seed packets, establish your garden’s foundation. Success starts here:

  • USDA Growing Zone: Know what plants thrive in your area.
  • Frost Dates: First and last frost dates set your garden’s natural timeline.
  • Growing Season Length: Identify how many productive days you have between frosts.
  • Available Space: Even a windowsill can grow a beautiful garden!
Build your own food forest. Planning to garden this year? Use the free garden planning checklist from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.com.

Understanding Your Space

My garden planning checklist helps you assess your planting space with ease:

  • Map Sun Exposure: Identify full sun, partial sun, and shade areas.
  • Locate Water Sources: Ensure easy access for watering.
  • Test Soil: Determine soil type and pH to plan amendments.
  • Measure Available Space: Work with what you have, big or small!

Seasonal Planning Guide

Follow the checklist’s timeline to help stay on track. Be sure to check your region’s growing season to be sure you don’t plant things outside before your last frost and that they will have time to finish growing before the first frost:

February–March (Garden Planning & Preparation)

  • Order seeds early for the best selection.
  • Gather essential tools.
  • Set up your indoor growing area.
  • Sketch your garden layout.
  • Plan your composting system.
Seedlings growing under grow lights before they can be planted out doors. Find garden planning tips from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

March–April (Early Season)

  • Start indoor seedlings like tomatoes and peppers.
  • Prepare garden beds by clearing debris and adding compost.
  • Plan and install irrigation systems for your garden.
  • Add soil amendments to boost fertility.
A baby sugar snap pea growing on the vine. Planning to garden this year? Use the free garden planning checklist from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.com.

May–June (Planting Season)

  • Harden off seedlings for outdoor planting.
  • Group plants by water needs to simplify care.
  • Set up trellises, stakes, or cages for support.
  • Create a planting schedule to stagger harvests.
A baby spinach harvest will make for a delicious and healthy salad. Planning to garden this year? Use the free garden planning checklist from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.com.

July–October (Harvest Season)

  • Follow your harvest calendar to pick at peak ripeness.
  • Share extra produce with friends or local food banks.
  • Preserve your harvest by canning, freezing, or drying.
  • Keep detailed notes for next year’s planning.
A basket full of sugar snap peas fresh from the garden. Planning to garden this year? Use the free garden planning checklist from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.com.

Pro Tips for Gardening Success

  • Plan Ahead: Great gardens start with thoughtful preparation.
  • Test Soil Annually: Healthy soil leads to healthy plants.
  • Stay Consistent with Weeding: Prevention saves time and effort.
  • Rotate Crops: Protect your soil and avoid nutrient depletion.
Planning to garden this year? Use the free garden planning checklist from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.com.

🎁 Free Resource Alert!

Download the comprehensive Garden Planning Checklist, save, or print and let it guide you through every stage of gardening, whether you’re starting a small herb container or planning a full vegetable garden.

The Garden Planning Checklist will walk you through tips for gardening success from Liz Chandler at PurlsAndPixels. This is Page One.
The Garden Planning Checklist will walk you through tips for gardening success from Liz Chandler at PurlsAndPixels. This is Page Two.

🌻 Download Your Free Checklist

Looking for Garden Tools?

I get a lot of my tools from Amazon. Here are some of my favorites! (Affiliate Links)

Shop Liz Chandler's garden tool recommendations like a kitchen top planter, seed kit, or digging tools with these affiliate links.

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