By Deborah J. Benoit
The middle of winter, with snow covering brick-hard, frozen ground, may seem like an odd time to plan a new garden bed, but it’s the best time. If you make decisions now, you’ll be ready when the weather warms and the ground is workable.
Putting in a new garden bed takes a lot of effort, and nothing is as frustrating as forgetting something you’ll need to proceed. Taking the time now to consider what you want to do will also give you the time to determine what supplies you’ll need to make the project a success.
After you’ve done a bit of mid-winter daydreaming and maybe made a wish list of plants you want in your garden this year, it’s time to plan. Look at the available space in your yard and select a spot.
Keep in mind not only the amount of sunlight your new garden bed will receive but also how far it is from a water source. At least until plants are established, you’ll want to be sure they are well watered, which could mean toting water.
Taking measurements and using graph paper will enable you to draw your new bed to scale, but even a rough sketch with estimated measurements can provide a head start on garden renovations when spring arrives.
Will you be planting in the ground? If you plan to build a raised bed, determine the materials needed and the amount of soil mix to fill it. Make sure you have the necessary tools at hand.
If the area is currently lawn or weeds, how do you plan to clear it? You could dig up what’s growing there. You could cover it with newspaper or cardboard and mulch using a sheet mulching technique (see https://go.uvm.edu/spring-garden), or you could smother it with a tarp (see https://go.uvm.edu/garden-tarping).
Will you want to fence in the area to keep unwanted critters away from the plants? Now is a great time to check options, compare prices, and find pre-season bargains.
If you haven’t already, decide what you want to grow. Will the bed be decorative or productive? Will it be for flowers, vegetables, annuals, or perennials? If your chosen plants will need support (such as tomato cages or a trellis), check out available options.
If you haven’t already done so, make a plant wish list. Browse through seed catalogs and garden books. Select plants that will thrive in the new bed’s growing conditions. Have fun considering the possibilities.
With your wish list in hand, choose plants that will fit the location, such as available light, height, and size. Keep in mind the amount of space the mature plant will occupy. Place taller plants to the rear or north side of the bed so they don’t block light from shorter plants.
Get out that pencil and paper, maybe a packet of colored markers, and make a rough sketch of the garden bed. Start placing plants in your sketch using a simple symbol. Rearrange or replace plants as your design evolves. You’ve got plenty of time to make your final choices.
On a lazy Sunday afternoon when the weather outside is less than welcoming, grab a garden catalog or hop online to peruse seed and plant sources for inspiration. Get to work planning a new garden bed. When spring arrives, you’ll have plans in hand, ready to go.
Deborah J. Benoit is a UVM Extension Master Gardener from North Adams, Massachusetts, part of the Bennington County Chapter. master.gardener@uvm.edu.
