What You Need To Know: Starting a Garden in Washington State

When you want to have a flower, herb or vegetable garden in Camas, Wash., it is important to plan ahead. Here are a few tips from knowledgeable gardeners who understand valuable landscaping and gardening techniques. 

Tip 1: Read Books and Watch Videos 

Check your local public library for books and videos about gardening. Take notes so that you can plan your garden for our geographic zone. You can also find free information online from other experienced gardeners. 

Tip 2: Contact a Local Gardening Club 

Perform an online search to determine if there is a nearby gardening club. The other individuals in the club can help you at meetings, or they might visit your property to determine what type of soil is available. 

Tip 3: Choose a Garden Location 

Think carefully about where you want a garden located. You won’t want to have a garden where people might walk, and if you have children or pets, then they will need a place to play. It is also a bad idea to have a garden above utility lines such as sewer or gas lines. 

Tip 4: What Do You Want to Plant? 

Certain types of plants work well together while other plants will destroy each other. If you are a novice gardener, then you should choose easy to grow plants such as tomatoes, bell peppers and zucchini. Many herbs such as basil or chives are also easy to plant, care for and harvest. You may want to add some flowers to your garden because some types will repel insects. 

Tip 5: Have the Soil Analyzed 

To understand what types of fertilizers are required, you should have the soil of a garden analyzed. Some gardening stores will analyze your soil for free so that you can buy bags of fertilizer right away to mix into the soil at your garden plot. 

Tip 6: When Is the Best Time for Planting? 

It is important to determine when the best time for planting is in Camas, Wash. A gardening book from the library or an online website can provide the best day for planting seedlings or seeds in a garden. However, it is also important to understand the local weather conditions before planting anything. 

Tip 7: Buy Your Lawn and Garden Supplies 

You will need shovels, trowels and rakes along with small flowerpots, fertilizer and weed killers for your garden. To make your life easier, you can shop at a store that sells a wide assortment of lawn and garden supplies. 

Tip 8: Preparing the Soil in a Garden 

When you have a new garden, soil preparation is time-consuming and strenuous. You can make it easier by having a friend from your local landscape supply in Camas available to use mechanical equipment to dig and turn the soil. You may need to remove rocks before mixing in the fertilizer. Learn how to weed your garden in addition to eliminating pests throughout the summer. Begin planting your seeds and seedlings right away so that you can enjoy fresh produce.