Lawns and Gardens
Nine Simple Steps For A Blossoming Garden
By
Apr 22, 2007, 23:22

(NAPSI)-While you may be eager to plant, prune and weed, a smart first step to getting your lawn ready for spring is to prepare the soil.

If the basics are tended to first, you'll be rewarded with a healthy garden that requires minimal maintenance.

Here are nine simple steps from The Home Depot Tool Rental Center that will help you get your garden started on the right foot:

Step 1: Map out the garden area (width and length) within your yard.

Step 2: Remove all existing vegetation/plants to prevent regrowth after the garden has been planted. Also, remove any roots or other debris found in the garden area.

Step 3: Prior to tilling, keep ground moist but be sure to not overwater. Proper aeration and drainage will improve soil texture.

Step 4: For larger gardens and gardens where the ground is very compacted, use a rear-tine tiller to break up the soil. For smaller gardens and gardens where the ground has been previously tilled, use a mid-tine tiller to break up the soil.

Powerful earth turners such as the rear-tine tiller can save you valuable gardening time since using them is much faster than doing the job by hand. Renting tools rather than buying them can save you money. This is especially true when it comes to tools that you use only once a year, such as a tiller or a lawn aerator.

An associate at The Home Depot Tool Rental Center can recommend the best tiller to use based on your garden size and soil type.

Step 5: When tilling the garden, mix in any compost or other soil nutrients needed to properly prepare the soil.

Step 6: Lay down a weed block or plastic over the tilled area prior to planting to minimize weed growth and maximize water retention.

Step 7: Create the planting rows in the garden. The plants chosen for the garden will determine the width needed between each planting row.

Step 8: Cover the plant bed with mulch.

Step 9: All that's left to do is plant, water and enjoy.

For more information on renting the appropriate tools to get your garden started or for any other home project, visit www.HomeDepotRents.com.

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