Beginning a garden is one of the most fulfilling things you can do. Every person can benefit from engaging in this relaxing, fruitful activity. However, if you have not worked on a garden before, it might be tough to decide where to start.

Decide on what plants you want to grow in your garden

A rule of thumb is to refrain from planting anything that is not edible in your new garden. For any potential rule-breakers, we recommend native flowers as they look beautiful in any garden.

A few ideas of what you can plant are:

• vegetables, of which tomatoes (yes, technically a fruit) are a popular choice
• fruits, such as apples, strawberries or even cherries
• herbs that complement your cooking, from lovage to cilantro and thyme

Pick a Garden Spot

Choose a spot for your garden with care and after going through some planning. Most plants require just enough and not more or less of water and sun. For example, garden tomatoes need 6+ hours per day of sun and if there are in the shade of your house or fence, the resulting crop will not be as bountiful or the tomatoes might not be ripe enough. This goes for a lot of other vegetables, so make sure that they get enough sunlight. Herbs such as lovage can grow in partial shade, so if you have an area that does not get continuous sunlight during the day, you can plant it there.

Watering your plants can be done either by can or with a garden hose, so plan the location of the garden accordingly. You will probably water your garden in the morning or evening so make sure that your watering method does not take too much time away from your schedule. Also, make sure that the plants are not in area that is prone to flooding after it rains, because too much water might hurt the plants.

If the garden is big enough, you need to plan out how you will reach to the plants for watering and caring for them. Too often, out of reach means out of mind as well and it might result in a neglected garden.

Last, but not least, since you live in or near the Windy City, it is best to avoid high-wind areas, if possible.

Get some gardening tools

Working with the wrong tools will make gardening harder than it needs to be. Invest in some gardening tools and keep this activity pleasant and relaxing:

The right tools make operating in your garden a pleasure instead of a duty. You do not utilize a butter blade to chop up raw carrots, as well as you should not use lightweight or plain tools to work in your garden. Standard horticulture tools includes:

• rakes
• shovels
• rototillers and cultivators
• gardening gloves
• garden hose
• gardening hand tools such as trowels, spades and weeders

Clear the Ground

You will need to remove the turf from the spot you intend to use for gardening:

In the fall

You can cover the turf with 5-6 newspaper sheets and put compost or gardening soil on top of them, about 3 inches high. This will help prevent the turf or weeds from growing in the spring and will provide you with a fertile soil for your garden.

In the spring

You can simply cut out the turf and remove it from the garden area. The cut out pieces and the removed turf can be used as compost if you give them enough time to break down.

Begin with good dirt and enjoy a great garden

Do you know your soil’s Ph level? Is it alkaline or acidic? Has the soul been contaminated, polluted or simply used to cover debris from old structures and construction projects?

You’d be amazed what you can find in or under your topsoil. In some cases, especially since you’ll be planting edible plants, soil contamination might even be dangerous, such as lead containing paint or other harsh construction materials and chemicals.
Some of the issues might be visible to the naked eye, while others require an analysis from a lab or digging deep enough to make sure that there are no visible contaminants.

As a rule of thumb, your soil’s pH level is best when it is around 7. Nutrients and acidity can be tested using widely available tests or professional gardening services that provide a more in-depth analysis.
You can also create boxed containers – raised gardening beds – for your garden area and fill them with your choice of gardening soil, which will be clear of debris and contaminants. Just make sure that the soil is drained and has the right combination of nutrients.

Preparing the Dirt

To prepare the dirt for planting or sowing, you will have to break it apart so it allows new plants to expand their roots to reach the necessary water and nutrients. 

If you are not using raised garden beds, you can either prepare the dirt by tilling or by digging. 

Tilling is usually done using a manual or gas-powered tool such as a rototiller. It is a lot easier than digging, so it is the preferred method for larger areas. Do not overdo it as it might damage the soil consistency, especially if it is very dry or too moist.

You can dig smaller garden beds – finally, a good, refreshing outdoor workout. It is recommended that you dig 8-12 inches deep and mix in any compost or natural fertilizer you might have. If the soil is in a raised garden bed, you can put a couple of boards on the soil wide enough for you to walk on them. This will prevent the soil from being compacted too much if you walk directly on it.

Consult your gardening calendar

Plant too early and your plants might get damaged by a below freezing temperature in the night. Plant too late and the plants will not be able to take advantage of the full growing season and the harvest might be affected.

There are a variety of tools that you can use to predict the last frost date for the Midwest, from the USDA’s Plant Hardiness Zone to statistics offered by the National Climatic Data Center. The Farmer’s Almanac also has a pretty cool planting calendar for the Chicago area.

Start Planting

You can buy transplants at gardening centers around Chicago. A trip to one of these centers is relaxing and a hobby in itself, as you will meet many friendly, like minded people that are eager to share tips and advice. You can also start growing the plants indoors, from seeds, and then transplant them outside, after the last frost date.

Planting is usually a straightforward process that should be done according to the tag attached to each plant. You need to dig in a hole in the previously prepared garden bed and place the plant in it. If the depth of the hole or the spacing of the plants are not mentioned on the tag, a quick Google search will turn plenty of results on how to complete the planting process.

Enjoy