How to Prepare for Your First

Garden
Crystal Martin
IDT 7062 Unit 3
Advanced Tutorial

How to Use This Tutorial

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Tutorial Purpose
The purpose of this tutorial is to provide the reader, inexperienced in
gardening, with the information and the tools necessary in preparation for
their first home garden in the state of Tennessee. It is based on the
information developed and revised by Bates & Sams (n.d.) for the University of
Tennessee.
It covers the required tools, planning and preparation necessary before the
home gardener begins physical labor. It was created to assist in the
determination if your home garden is suitable, the vegetables that grow in the
conditions are desirable and the tools and resources needed are available and
within ones financial means before committing to the time and upfront
expense of gardening. However, it should be of note that many (but not all)
vegetables may be cheaper to grow than to buy. So, there is the potential that
your upfront cost may be recouped.
Please note: Much of this information will be transferable to other regions and
climates. However, the vegetable specific information is relevant only to
growing in climate and soil similar to that found in the state of Tennessee. To
determine which vegetables are suitable for a different region, please consult
the Farmers Almanac or other information regarding the area within which
you wish to grow your garden.

Site Selection
For high yields, a good site is vital. Otherwise
there will be low yields or no garden may grow at
all.
According to Bates & Sams (n.d., p. 3), you
should look for a nearly level site with deep,
medium-textured, well-drainedsoil. Other
types of soil like fine-textured, sandy, clay or
ones with excessive slopes are problematic for
various reasons. However, a slight grade/slop
prevents the formation of frost pockets due to
the collection of cool air.
Look for areas with six or more hours of sunlight
daily or vegetable growth and yield can be
hampered. Additionally, shade from larger
shrubs and trees utilize the nutrients and water
that should be feeding the garden. Furthermore,
a site near your home makes care and harvest
time more convenient.

Planning Your Garden

Planning your garden before planting will lengthen the
harvest season. Additionally, it will make effective use of
your time, money and the gardens space. You will begin
by drawing to scale your area where you will garden on
graph paper. Section it into cool and warm-season planting
regions. Frost destroys warm season vegetables; therefore
only plant them after your soil has warmed. These include
okra, sweet potatoes, cucumbers and tomatoes (Bates &
Sams, p. 3). Examples of cold-season vegetables are
onions, cabbage, radishes and English peas (Bates &
Sams, p. 3). You will be able to plant these early, harvest
them and have time to replant and harvest again.
To minimize issues with pest, alternate the regions in your
garden where you grow cool and warm-season vegetables
each year.
The tables on the next few slides will allow you to estimate
the length of the rows you will require after you decided
what vegetables you desire and the quantity you will need
(Bates & Sams, n.d., pp. 5-7). Sketch these estimates to
scale on your plan. See the tables on the following slides
for the required spacing. Additionally, note the planting
dates, seeds required and varieties to enable you to have a
quick reference with all the necessary information.
Note: Be sure tall vegetables are planted as to not
shade the smaller ones.

Guide to Cool-Season
Vegetables
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Guide to Warm-Season
Vegetables Pt 1 of 2

Guide to Warm-Season
Vegetables Pt 2 of 2

Guide to Fall Vegetables

Pt 1 of 2

Guide to Fall Vegetables

Pt 2 of 2

Now that you know what you can plant, when to plant it, how
much to plant and what it will yield, lets look at the tools and
supplies you will need!

Necessary Larger Tools

Purchase these items in Preparation:
1. Spade or shovel
Both are a good investment but every garden
should have at least one or the other. These are
the tools used for digging, planting or transplanting,
cutting, and prying.

2.

3.

Hoe

#3

Begin by purchasing the standard square-bladed

gooseneck hoe. There are many different types.
However, this one is good for removing weeds or
during seeding to open or close furrows. Add
others if needed.

#1

Rake
Your first rake should be a bow rake. It is vital for
grading (smoothing and leveling) the seed beds.
Additionally, you may also find it useful for covering
furrows, moving mulch, cleaning rubbish or killing
weeds.

4.

#2

Trowel
Trowels are useful when transplanting, digging
smaller holes, working around small plants, and
some weeding. You will need one 3-4 wide.

Necessary Smaller Supplies

Other Items to Purchase:
1.

Twine & Stakes

Used to mark and maintain straight rows as well as
to support plants.

2.

Bucket
For the transportation of necessary gardening items
like fertilizer, harvested crops, and water

3.

Hose
Required for watering/irrigation

4.

File
The key tool should be with you at all times to keep
the other tools sharp and ready for use.

#4
#1

Lastly, there are additional tools and equipment that

will prove useful as you begin working in your garden.
However, the lists noted here indicate those items
necessary and most useful when you get started.
Bates and Sams (n.d., p.4 ) have a recommended list
of other items that may be useful down the road, buy
these items as they are needed and funds permit.

Tool Maintenance
Your tools should be stored to protect them from
the elements. Sun and rain can weaken and
roughen handles. Additionally, the weather may
cause rust to metal. To prevent rust, coat metal
lightly with oil after each use. Moreover, smooth
rough handles with sandpaper. The better you
care for your tools the longer they will last and
the easier they will be to use.

Next Steps:
Youre Ready To Begin
This guide was created to give you the preliminary steps and help you
determine if you want to begin a home garden. I hope that it has piqued your
interest and given you the tools necessary to get started!
Now that you may be ready to begin you will have to learn about the
composition of your soil and how to prepare it, what fertilizers you will need,
transplanting and irrigation techniques, as well as how to control weeds and
pest.
With your hard work, energy and pre-planning your efforts with the suggestions
listed here, you will have your best chance a bountiful harvest!!!
For more information, download the complete guide from Bates & Sams (n.d.)
by clicking HERE.

Now test your home garden prep knowledge with the brief quiz
on the next page.

Gardening Prep
Quiz
Instructions:
1. Select the option that best
answers each question.
2. Once you have answered all
questions push the Correct
Ans button to see your results.
3. You may then revise your
answers for all incorrect
answers or review the material
if you are still confused.
4. Click the Reset button to
begin again.

1. Minimum hours of sunlight in ideal gardening site?

Frame1
3 hours

4 hours

5 hours

Frame2
Draw area map (to scale)
Buy Neccesary Tools

Correct Ans

Correct

Level Soil

3. Which is the list of the necessary larger tools?

Frame3
Shovel, Pitch fork, Wheel barrel & Sprinkler

Hoe, Rake, Pitch fork, & Fertilizer

Reset

Correct

2. What is the first step in planning your garden?

Spade, Shovel, Hoe & Rake

Good Luck!

6 hours

Correct

References
Bates, G., & Sams, D.W. (n.d.). Growing vegetables in home gardens. The University of Tennessee. Retrieved from:
https://www.shelbycountytn.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/1126
Coating Tool with Oil [Online image]. (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://
mikesbackyardnursery.com/2014/12/garden-tools-care/
Davies, R. (n.d.). 3D young man clicking PC mouse [Online image]. Retrieved from: http://
www.dreamstime.com/illustration/3d-young-man-clicking-pc-mouse.html
Garden Tool Co. (n.d.). Garden tool sharpening file [Online image]. Retrieved from: https://
www.gardentoolcompany.com/products/garden-tool-sharpening-file
Kitchen Gardens International (n.d.). Sample garden plan [Online image]. Retrieved from: http://
www.diynetwork.com/how-to/outdoors/gardening/selecting-the-best-location-for-a-garden
P. Allen Smith Garden Home (n.d.). Galvanized tub [Online image]. Retrieved from: http://pallensmith.com/tag/tools/
Sears (n.d.) Georgetown Home & Garden Fiddlehead Fairy Village Mini Garden Tools 3 pc set [Online image].
Retrieved from: http://www.sears.com/search=little%20tikes%20garden%20tools%20rake%20and%20shovel%20se

References
Sharpening Garden Tool [Online image]. (n.d.). Retrieved from:
http://aussiegreenthumb.com/4239/gardening-tool-maintenance/
Traditional Plot [Online image]. (n.d.). Retrieved from:
http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/outdoors/gardening/selecting-the-best-location-for-a-garden
WikiHow (n.d.) Stakes & twine [Online image]. Retrieved from: http://www.wikihow.com/Stake-up-a-Bush-or-Tree