Spring Garden Plan Available from Better Homes and Gardens

Like most novice gardeners, I can't wait to soon feel the sun on my face and earth beneath my fingers again. With that said--only two days remain (March 20) until spring--which means it's time to plan your garden. By no means am I a master gardener. All I've learned is what I've picked up gardening alongside my mother. A couple years ago we moved into a brand new house so when it comes to gardening we are starting with a clean slate. Intentionally, we've waited to plant around the foundation to allow the ground to settle. Yippee -- it's finally time! The general rule my mom taught me is to wait and plant until after Mother's Day. However, that doesn't mean we can't start planning now. This year, to help do so I've relied on Better Homes and Gardens' garden plan finder. Better Homes and Gardens is offering it free to online readers at http://www.bhg.com/gardening/garden-plan-finder/.

My plant selection.

At this site, get garden plans that meet your specific needs. Better Homes and Gardens offers two plans: a flower or a vegetable garden. You will need to know what United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) zone your state is in as well. Just click through the questions. You can fill it out as many times as you like. I originally picked a small garden and decided to do it again with a large garden plan, too. The final product includes a down loadable PDF of proposed flowers and a diagram showing you exactly where to plant each flower.

Be prepared to answer the following questions. No worries, it's multiple choice!

• How much time do you hope to spend in the garden each week?
• How much light does the garden site receive?
• Would you like a produce garden -- one that includes fruits and vegetables?
• Where do you live? (You have to know your zone here read below for details).
• What is your favorite plant from this list of beauties?
• Is your garden site small or large?
• How long have you been gardening?
• Is rainfall plentiful in your region or is a drought-tolerant garden the way to go?

On the very final question, they do ask if you want any of Better Home and Gardens' newsletters delivered to your in box, too? You can pick "no thanks" and opt out of course.

The USDA Hardiness Zone Map divides North America into 11 separate zones. Don't know what planting zone you reside in? Go here http://www.garden.org/zipzone and enter your zip code to find out. We live in Nebraska, which is 5A. Since we live in the Midwest, frost is a constant enemy to gardeners in our region; especially, early on in the planting season. I just follow my mom's rule and plant after Mother's Day. The Better Homes and Gardens' plan helps you determine the best plants for your landscape, sun, shade and climate needs to ensure success with every planting. My free plan came with an illustration of the garden, a detailed plant list and an easy-to-follow planting guide. This season thanks to my plant list, I'll plant a Sun-Loving Garden for the North, courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens. Good luck planning and planting your gardens this spring!

-population-we™ blog post by Becky Bohan Brown
© 2013 population-we, LLC 
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