Green to Gardening

I just purchased a home this past year and started out with the garden . So you have to determine how big of a garden you would like, if you have animals that could get into your garden like I have deer. Depending on the size on whether you want to shovel to overturn the dirt or get it rototilled. I did raised beds within my garden. And pick a few items that you want to plant you can read up on it on the Internet on things that are good for your zone. Best of luck to you

Excellent! What Zone are you in? You can find out here.

http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/

Do you want flowers? Herbs? Vegetables?

This will get you started. When/if you find that isn't enough, google "starting a small garden from scratch".

https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-start-a-garden-from-scratch-2132778

First what is the condition of the soil in that area? Do you need to haul or amend it with something else? What kind of soil do you have clay etc.? How is the water drainage? Have you been there long enough to see how that area handles water run off in the winter?

The last place I lived, when I wanted to start my veggie garden, I enlisted the help of my kids and their friends. They took out the grass and even took me to rent a good tiller and tilled it for me and put in some of the green metal posts so I could put in fencing once I planted. While it was being tilled I put in about three inches worth of sterilized manure and potting soil to be mixed in. The soil was already good dark earth that didn't have a lot of clay to worry about. I used Miracle Grow on the soil only since it was for veggies, not ornamental plants, and I didn't want to foliar feed veggies. It is a bit laborious work to start a garden to get to the planting part, but it is worth the work to start it out right from the beginning. If you get someone to help you, it doesn't take as much time and will be more fun. You can start out small and get bigger as you get more comfortable. Plan out on paper as to how you want it to look and what you want to plant, you can make it bigger on paper and expand as you go. Doing a section at a time will let you see results quicker and just go from there. Good luck and have fun with your new garden.

How much of a area do you have,location,lighting,what do you prefer flowers,shrubs????More detail and perhaps a photo of the area is needed for correct advice

Go buy a good book to which you can keep referring, as it should help you all the way - They don't have to cost a lot - Try your local Good Will Shop etc...

At your local nursery or Farm Bureau **(they help home owners too) and will be able to give you good information on soils and crops that do well in your area.

** My husband talked to our local Farm Bureau when we were looking into putting in a root cellar.

We have a master gardener demonstration garden run by trained volunteers near us and they have clinics in spring and summer. I learned so much from them. Maybe you can look for one near you.

Start by preparing your soil. Remove the grass. Dig down 3 feet and mix your soil with 1/3 soil, 1/3 peat moss, and 1/3 sand. Mix it well and level it, but do not pack it down. (Check with a garden center in your area for the earliest recommended planting date.) Also, note if the plants are for early or late crops as well as the ones that are harvested during warm weather. Then follow directions for each type of plant as to spacing. Make sure to compress soil around each plant in order to prevent air pockets around the roots. Water and fertilize according to directions. You may wish to plant marigolds around the border, as it does keep certain critters out of a garden. Good luck.