Planting a garden seems easy enough-just dig holes and stick the plants in! Dump a packet of seeds on the ground and water! If you have an exceptionally green thumb, these techniques might work. Otherwise, you need to try a different approach.

Digging the Hole

When planting a garden, you will work with several types of plants. Trees, shrubs, vegetables, flowering plants and bulbs each have different planting requirements. One thing remains constant among all types of plants. Unless otherwise specified, dig a hole that is slightly less deep than the plant's root ball and twice as wide. Plant roots need a chance to spread out, and most roots (unless the plant has a taproot) grow just a few inches under the surface of the soil. Digging a wide hole allows the roots to penetrate the soil easily.

Plant 'em High

When you talk with experienced gardeners, they will use the phrase "Plant the plants high." What does that mean? Planting "high" means that when the plant is placed in the ground, and the soil replaced, the crown of the plant (the area where the root and stem meet at the soil line) is about an inch or two above the soil (trees) or about ½ an inch above (flowers and vegetables). The reason for planting high is simple: soil under the plant will settle over time after planting, and the plant will "sink," eventually putting the crown at soil level. Planting high is better than planting too deep. Plants that are too deep within the soil can develop bacterial and fungal infections along the portion of the stem that is buried.

Plant Spacing

When planting a new garden, the first impulse is to plant everything close together so that the garden immediately looks "full." This is a mistake. When you plant your plants, allow at least 1 ½ times the size of the plant on either side to give room to grow. You garden will fill in, faster, in fact, if you leave adequate space because the plants will not compete as much for food and water.

Planting and Feeding

The biggest mistake that many gardeners make is to feed their seedlings at the same time that they plant them. Natural fertilizers and conventional fertilizers are most effective after the plant has had a chance to grow. Applying synthetic fertilizers at the time of planting can be detrimental to the plant, as synthetic fertilizers are essentially highly concentrated salts. You can burn your plants, even as you are trying to help them.

Natural Fertilizer

If you have a need to feed your plants at the time of planting, your best choice is a natural fertilizer that has a 2-1 ratio of Phosphorous to Nitrogen. Phosphorous helps the plant grow thick, supportive root systems. A great natural fertilizer product is made by Neptune's Harvest, and is called: Benefits of Fish. It has a N-P-K ratio of 2-4-1, which makes it a great "meal" for plants just starting out.

Planting properly is the first step for successful natural gardening. If you establish your plants well, the rest of the growing season will be much easier for you and you plants.