5 Things to Do Before You Plant Your First Seed

Essential early spring garden prep for beginners, homesteaders, and backyard growers.

🌿 Introduction

Spring is here, and the urge to dig in and start planting is real—but a thriving vegetable garden begins long before the first seed hits the soil. Whether you’re a beginner gardener, starting a homestead, or planning a sustainable backyard garden, these five essential steps will help ensure a productive and healthy growing season.

✅ 1. Assess Your Gardening Space

Before planting, assess your garden layout and environment:

• Track sun exposure throughout the day
• Look for signs of poor drainage or compacted soil
• Remove leftover debris, weeds, and obstacles from winter

Pro Tip: Creating a spring garden plan in a notebook or app helps track changes, layouts, and future improvements.

✅ 2. Test and Prepare Your Soil

Good soil health is the key to organic gardening success.

• Use a soil test kit to check pH and nutrient levels
• Amend with compost, aged manure, or organic matter
• Remove rocks and loosen soil for better root growth

Tip: Add raised beds or no-dig garden systems if you’re short on time or dealing with poor native soil.

✅ 3. Plan Your Garden Layout and Crop Placement

Strategic planting now avoids headaches later.

• Use companion planting techniques to maximize space and health
• Rotate crops from last season to reduce pest pressure
• Ensure airflow between plants to reduce disease

Try apps or printable vegetable garden planners to visualize spacing and succession planting.

✅ 4. Gather Tools, Supplies, and Seeds

Being prepared makes gardening more fun and less frustrating.

• Take inventory of essential gardening tools
• Organize heirloom and organic seed varieties by planting dates
• Stock up early on mulch, row covers, and plant supports

Shop at local farm supply stores or trusted online seed companies for high-quality spring garden seeds.

✅ 5. Set Up Your Watering System

Watering is crucial to early seedling health.

• Test hoses and irrigation systems
• Install drip irrigation for efficient water use
• Use rainwater collection barrels to save water sustainably

Pro Tip: Watering early in the morning helps avoid disease and conserves moisture.

🌼 Final Thoughts

Following these five steps will set your spring garden up for long-term success. Whether you’re working a small backyard plot or preparing for a full-scale homestead, good planning makes all the difference. 🌱

Looking for more gardening tips for beginners, homesteading advice, or sustainable living ideas? Stay tuned and follow our journey at KearneyFamily.Farm.