By Kelly Leslie, WSU Master Gardener
While the current growing season is fresh in our minds, it’s the perfect time to start planning for next year. Planning ahead can improve next year’s garden. Early planning helps prevent spring fever planting and getting overwhelmed. Planning can make the garden season much more productive and enjoyable.
Once the gardening season ends, I draft my seed lists for vegetables, flowers, and perennials I want to plant for next year. Crop rotation, succession, and companion planting are also pre-planned, which helps reduce pests and maintains soil health.
A useful tool in garden planning is using a garden journal. I have kept a garden journal for years, and it’s helpful to be able to look back and see from previous years what went well and what didn’t. Every year I sketch my garden beds listing the plants grown. I update my journal during the growing season noting any concerns and possible solutions for next season. My eggplants were fantastic this year, so I noted to plant twice as many next year. This year has been challenging with late frosts, wildfire smoke, and drought.
As you are planning and realize what you will need for next year, it’s also a good time to check garden centers, as many are having summer close out sales for many garden items. Buying now could save you money later!
Define Your Goals
The next step you will want to take is setting and defining your gardening goals. Are you starting a new garden, raised bed garden, using an existing garden, or expanding? Decide what you want to achieve, and then write down the steps needed to meet your goals. Preparing a path for success now will help keep you on track and will give you a headstart. You will thank yourself next spring.
As a helpful tip for any beginner gardeners, if you are starting a new garden, don’t make it too big in the first year. Weeding and watering can quickly become a burden, and it might discourage you from gardening again the following year.
Map Layout
After you have your goals set and defined, it’s time to sketch a layout that includes garden beds, plant placement, pathways, fences, buildings, water location, and seating areas. Planting beds should have enough space for plants to grow and have adequate space between beds for wheelbarrows, carts, or other kinds of equipment.
When working on your layout, it can be helpful to place a copy of your plat or a sketch of your property into a clear divider insert. You can use dry erase pens to draw out plans, and if you have a change of mind, it’s easy to erase and start again.
Right Plants for the Right Location
As you work on your layout and goals, it’s important to understand and keep in mind your local growing conditions. Choose plants that thrive in your microclimate and particular soil type. Also, take time to learn how much sunlight and shade your property gets, as well as the wind patterns on your property prior to choosing plants.
Don’t forget to plant flowers in your vegetable garden; pollinators will love you for it! Marigolds, nasturtiums, and borage are especially helpful to deter pests. Plant a wide range of flowers for continuous blooms throughout the season.
Soil Preparation
In choosing the right plants for your garden, it’s important to know your soil. Do so by testing it for pH and nutrient levels. Amend soil according to recommendations of your soil test. Adding compost yearly will create a nutrient rich soil your plants will love. As we head into Fall, make sure to collect and place leaves on your beds and save some to use as mulch next year.
Maintenance
Lastly, be sure to include mulch in your garden plans. Mulch is used to reduce weeds. Mulch will not eliminate all weeds, so when they do pop up, pull them in the seedling stage. Mulch also keeps the soil moist longer. The more moisture your soil retains means less water you need to use to grow your garden. To save even more on water, I recommend installing a water drip system, which will also save you time.
As a golden aged gardener, the best advice I can give is to make sure to have a place to sit and enjoy your garden view. Happy gardening.
Helpful Resources
Home Vegetable Gardening in Washington (Home Garden Series)
To learn more about the Master Gardener program in Ferry County contact the Extension office, (509) 775-5225, x1115, aaron.urseth@wsu.edu 350 E. Delaware Ave. #9, Republic, WA 99166. Master Gardeners is a WSU Extension program, which is available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office.