Whether you are an expert gardener or are preparing for your first summer of planting, there are a few rules of green thumb that will help every garden grow lush and beautiful. By using proper planting techniques, your plants will be more tolerant of unfavorable conditions and require much less maintenance and care.

Choosing and Starting Plants

If this is your first season of gardening, consider purchasing nursery plants. This is easier than starting your plants from seeds. Before arriving at the nursery, research plants that will grow well in your climate zone and soil type. Be sure to choose short, stocky plants with few flower blooms that are free of disease. Check the plant's container to make sure it's weed free and there is no mold on the soil.

If you are an intermediate gardener with some plant experience, consider starting some easy-to-grow seeds such as beans, morning glories, sunflowers or marigolds. Transplanting seedlings from indoors to your garden can be traumatic to the plants, so try sprouting these seeds directly in your garden soil. Plant the seeds after the last frost date and keep them well watered. Consider the mature height of your seeds when planting and allow them enough space to grow.

An expert gardener can be more creative with their seed choice and planting locations. Research your seeds before purchase to ensure that you can create the proper indoor growing environment and that they will do well in your garden conditions. For more difficult seeds, like carrots and beets, consider soaking them in water overnight, but for no more than 24 hours, before planting. This will help the seed absorb the water it needs.

In preparation of your spring gardening, now is the time to start thinking about whether or not you want to grow some plants from scratch.  It can be a fun and satisfying experience to see your hard work grow day by day. 

Getting Started

If this is your first time growing seedlings or trying a new variety of seeds, make sure to read the back of each seed packet for complete directions and recommended planting depth.

Start Sowing

Timing is everything when it comes to sowing.  Generally, start sowing seeds 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date.  If seedlings are kept too long in containers, they won't grow properly when planted. 

Fill the soil in the containers so it's slightly higher than the edges.  For most flowers, place a layer of soil on top of the seeds.  With most vegetable seeds, you barely cover the seed with soil - some seeds don't need to be covered at all.  Gently water and keep the seeds well-moistened until they have germinated.  Avoid flooding your seeds to the end of the container. 

Keep Growing

To keep them healthy and growing, remember that seedlings will need light to continue to thrive.  Place them in front of a bright window or use fluorescent lights for best results.  As the plants grow, move the lights away from the seedlings to prevent leaf burn.  Place the seedlings in a place where there is proper air circulation and a steady temperature -- from 65 to 70 degrees.  Water seedlings daily and use room temperature water. 

Once your seedlings have reached about 2 inches in height and have developed one set of leaves, you can safely transplant them into new pots or spaced out in flats.  You can move them from indoors to outdoors when the last threat of frost has passed.

Vegetable Planting

What worked and didn't work for you last year? If you tried a new vegetable and failed, maybe you should look into planting more low-maintenance veggies such as kale, chard or a sweet pepper. Also, make a list of which vegetables you buy weekly at the grocery store. By spending more time in your garden, you could end up decreasing your grocery bill.

If you have a smaller yard, try and keep your vegetable garden as organized and space efficient as possible. Use a stake or cage or create a sturdy trellis for your tomatoes, beans, cucumbers and winter squash. This is a great use of vertical space and also provides the support they need to grow.

Small Tasks First

Depending on where you live, birds will be flying back to your area within the next few months. Clean the ice out of the bird baths and add fresh water.

If you forgot to clean your hand tools in fall, do that now because good tools can be expensive to replace. Grab a clean cloth and apply linseed oil to prevent any rust.

If you have a shed or special garden section in your garage, take time to reorganize shelves and throw out old, unused tools and gardening products. When the warm weather arrives, you'll be step closer to getting out in the yard, instead of cleaning up after last year's work.