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March
27
27
Select a Spot for Your Garden With These Tips
If you're planning a garden, choosing the ideal location is key to its success. The right combination of elements, such as proper soil conditions, sunlight, drainage, and more, will increase your chances of an excellent harvest.
Our real estate agents suggest the following tips for picking a spot for your garden:
- Look for the Sun
Adequate sunlight is one of the most important factors that helps your garden thrive. Most vegetables and flowers need what's referred to as "full sun," which means they have unobstructed access to sunlight for at least six hours a day. Gardens that face south get the most sun exposure as long as they're not blocked by trees or other structures. If you're unsure how much sun a potential garden spot would receive, track the sunlight every hour on a day that you're planning to be home.
- Know How You'll Water Your Garden
The easier it is for you to water your garden, the more likely it is that you won't dread or skip this chore. Choose a garden location that's near a water spigot or another water source, but if this isn't a good spot for other reasons, you can run a water hose to your garden to have easy access to water. - Choose a Site With Good Drainage
Plants need soil that drains well and doesn't puddle after heavy rains. To test a potential garden spot, dig a hole that's about one foot deep, wide, and long. Add a half-gallon of water to the hole when it's already damp, and keep track of how long it takes to drain. If it takes days rather than hours, it's probably not the best location for your garden. - Check for Soil Quality
Choose an area that's away from road run-off drains and sidewalks that may be treated with ice-melting chemicals. The ideal soil composition for most plants has 40 percent of sand and salt and 20 percent of clay. You can send a soil sample to the University of Maine, which will test your soil's pH and nutrient levels and screen for elevated heavy metals. The University will make recommendations for soil amendments such as lime and fertilizer. - Look for Level Ground
A garden will grow best on level ground. If it's on a hill, water will run downhill from your garden, and gardens on low spots can stay wet. Level ground will help keep water distribution equal and make it less likely that seeds will wash away when you water your garden or it rains. - Allow for Enough Wind
Your garden should be situated where it's in an open area that's not surrounded by too many trees or shrubs. Wind should be able to easily move through your garden to dry moisture on the leaves and stems of your plants. Otherwise, they can develop mold and other diseases. - Pick a Convenient Location
Your garden should be in a location you can easily reach from your home. Placing it near a walkway, if possible, makes accessing your garden very convenient. It should also be in a spot where you can easily reach it with a wheelbarrow and garden supplies.
Contact us if you're ready to sell your home or buy a home and would like to see Augusta homes for sale. Our team can help you find the perfect property for your next garden.