Gardening Checklist

Garden Planning

• Choose the use of your garden: decorative, edible or both.


• Determine the amount of sunlight in various locations before planting.


• Measure soil quality and pH of the soil to grow plants well.


• Sketch the garden to draft out the positioning of the plants.


• Select plants that are suitable for your climate and soils.


• Prepare seasonal flowers so that there will be colour all year round.


• Provide space for access to pathways and maintenance.


• Add raised beds when you have poor soil.


• Set aside a colored place for sensitive plants.


• Consider irrigation when planning layouts.


• Plant with companions to improve growth.

Garden Soil Preparation

• Clearly planting areas of weeds, stones and debris.


• Loose soil is compacted to facilitate the growth of roots.


• Add organic material or compost to the soil to enrich it.


• Measure the moisture content of the soil before planting new crops.


• Use mulch to keep moisture and temperature.


• Apply manure that is well rotted to enhance the nutrients of the soil.


• Install raised beds that will be conducive to drainage and soil control.


• Change the planting spots every year to keep the soil healthy.


• Till the soil to enhance the circulation of oxygen.


• Wet soil texture on water retention.


• Not to over-till to the disadvantage of valuable organisms.


• Apply organic fertilizers to have long-term soil balance.

Plant Selection and Placement

• Select plants depending on light, soil and climatic conditions.


• Use native species to minimize maintenance.


• Choose plants that are resistant to droughts.


• Do not plant invasive plants/trees that outgrow others.


• Put taller plants in the background of beds.


• Plants that like shade should not be exposed to the sun.


• Bunch together the plants that require the same amount of water.


• Combine perennials and annuals to achieve a blend.


• Plant sufficient spaces to ensure crowding is not experienced.


• Select resistance disease types to reduce maintenance.


• Keep plant herbs near the kitchen.


• Natural windbreaks should be an aspect of the use of shrubs or hedges.

Planting Essentials

• Plant at the right time of the year since each species has its time.


• Drill holes a little bigger than the root ball of the plant.


• Water well after planting to adjust roots.


• Taller plants and young trees use stakes to support them.


• Apply mulch to new plants to keep the soil moist.


• Make sure that the root depth is adequate.


• Planting is not to be too close to buildings or fences.


• Careful handling of the seedlings will avoid damaging them.


• Add slow-release fertilizer to planting holes.


• Forecast the weather and then plan the planting days.


• Cover frost-sensitive plants with protection covers.


• Have labels on reference care and growth needs.

Watering Schedule

• Water extensively but not a lot of times to firm roots.


• Watering based on seasonal rainfall.


• Apply drip irrigation, which will reduce water wastage.


• Water in the morning so that there is less evaporation.


• Measure soil moisture before watering to prevent excess water.


• Plant together with the requirements of water.


• Install auto-water timers.


• Use rainwater in the barrels to irrigate in a green way.


• Cover plants with soil to minimize water evaporation.


• Water buckets and hanging baskets.


• To avoid fungal infections, it is important not to wet leaves.


• Check sprinklers and hoses that have leaks.

Fertilizing and Feeding

• Use fertilizers as per the requirements of plants.

• Naturally increase soil fertility with the help of organic compost.

• Do not fertilize too much; otherwise, root burns occur.

• Fertilize flower plants in advance and at flowering.

• Apply liquid fertilizers when you want nutrients to be absorbed fast.

• Switch types of fertilizers to have balanced nutrients.

• Use slow-release fertilizers to have longer effects.

• Symptoms of nutrient deficiency should be checked through monitoring plant health.

• Plant lawns on a seasonal basis.

• Do not fertilize in excess heat or drought.

• Spread mulch about fruit trees to add nutrients to the soil.

• Recycle garbage in the kitchen to make natural manure.

Weed Control

• Pull off weeds before they root.

• Mulch to inhibit the growth of weeds naturally.

• Place landscape fabrics beneath beds to protect them.

• Do not allow weeds to flower to reseed.

• Sprays made with vinegar are environmentally friendly.

• Border checks and edges where weeds usually grow.

• Cover soils to minimize exposure to the open soil.

• Use no chemical weed killers on vegetables and herbs.

• Check potted plants often to check on the growth of the weeds.

• Nurse around seedlings.

• Have paths and driveways trimmed.

Pest and Disease Management

• Check plants regularly to detect pests or diseases.

• Natural control can be done using the neem oil or insecticidal soap.

• Keep desirable insects such as ladybugs and bees.

• Take out diseased leaves to avoid the spread of the disease.

• Change crops every year to prevent pests in the soil.

• Wipe garden tools at the end of the day to avoid the transfer of disease.

• Keep watch on the fungus after heavy rains.

• Bring in natural predators to manage the population of the pests.

Pruning and Trimming

• Trim and prune bushes and trees to promote growth.

• Cut dead or diseased branches away.

• Clean up shape hedges frequently to be trimmed and balanced.

• After flowering, prune flowering plants to encourage re-growth.

• Make clean and sharp cuts with sharp tools.

• Do not prune in the heat or frost.

• Clear thick foliage to enhance the amount of light.

• To promote continuous bloom, cut the deadheads.

• Pruning tools should be disinfected to avoid diseases.

• Prune before the growing season starts.

• When cutting, do not cut more than a third of a plant at a time.

Garden Maintenance

• Rake up leaves to make beds clean and tidy.

• Wash them with clean tools after use to extend the life of the tools.

• Add more mulch to dampen down and weed.

• Mend broken trellises, fencing or garden buildings.

• Soil based on rotating crops in the vegetable beds.

• Top up raised beds with fresh soil and compost.

• Take away old plants and make way for fresh ones.

• Clear pathways to easy and safe access.

• Change refresher planters and containers of soil once per year.

• Shield of tender plants in severe weather.