1. Prep Your Soil Like It’s the Star of the Show (Because It Is)

Before exciting yourself with the plethora of plants and seeds, you need to know what you're working with. Healthy soil is the foundation of everything.

• Test your soil – You can use an at-home test kit or send a sample to your local extension office. Find out your pH and nutrient levels.

• Improve your soil – Add compost, aged manure, or organic amendments based on your test results.

• Loosen and aerate – Break up compacted soil with a fork or broad fork so roots can grow easily.

Hi, I'm Vanessa, your local Garden Consultant, and I would love to dream and grow with you!

At Your Dream Garden, we believe that the gardening journey should be an experience of beauty and bounty -- more enjoyment, less overwhelm.

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Wait! As much as I love plant shopping like the next person, let's hold off a little bit before swiping that card and loading your trunk.

The most successful, low-stress gardens don’t start at the store. They begin with preparation, clarity, and a plan. No matter what size or proportion your kitchen garden will be this season, here's what you need to do before you bring home that first plant.

2. Plan Your Space Like a Puzzle—With Sun and Size in Mind

Where you plant matters just as much as what you plant.

• Sunlight – Track where the sun falls in your garden throughout the day. Most edibles need at least 6–8 hours of direct sun.

• Spacing – Sketch a simple layout. Note your garden’s dimensions and label where taller crops (like tomatoes) or vining crops (like cucumbers) will go.

• Access – Make sure you can reach everything easily for watering and harvesting.

3. Decide What You’ll Grow (and What You Won’t)

It’s easy to get carried away at the garden center when you don't have a plan. But growing what you actually want to eat (and have room for) is key.

• Make a list of what your family loves to eat.

• Choose crops suited to your growing season and sunlight.

• Consider your time: do you want low-maintenance greens, or are you ready for the commitment of tomatoes?

4. Know Which Plants to Start from Seed (And Which Ones to Buy as Starts)

Not everything needs to be started from seed, and some things shouldn’t be.

🌱 Start from seed: cool season, short growth time plants like

• Leafy greens (lettuce, kale, arugula)

• Carrots and beets (because root veggies prefer not to be transplanted)

🌿 Buy as transplants: warm season, long growth time plants like

• Tomatoes

• Peppers

• Eggplant

5. Plan for Vertical Support: Trellises, Cages & Stakes

Some plants grow up, not out. And that’s a good thing—if you plan for it.

• Vining crops like cucumbers, peas, pole beans, and indeterminate tomatoes need trellises or cages.

• Bush varieties may still need some support, especially if they’re heavy with fruit.

6. Set a Budget and Make a Shopping List

Avoid the overwhelm and impulse buys by going in with a clear list.

• Divide your list into seeds, transplants, soil amendments, and tools.

• Have a “nice to have” section and a “must have” section.

• Bring cash if you want to keep spending in check.

7. Check the Weather and Do Your Math

Just because the store is selling tomatoes doesn’t mean it’s time to plant them.

• Know your frost dates, set an alarm on your phone, write it in your planner. It will help you determine your tasks accordingly.

• If you started some plants from seed, be sure to harden them off before planting them outside.

• Keep row cover or frost protection handy for surprise temperature dips.

Final Thoughts: Start With Intention, Not Impulse

When you prepare your garden space, plan your crops, and go in with a purpose, your time at the garden center becomes a joyful next step—not a frantic guessing game.

So take a breath. Do the prep. And when you finally go plant shopping, you’ll feel like a confident gardener—not just a hopeful one.

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