My garden is not just a piece of land for me. It is an artistic canvas in which I create landscapes with colors. I am sure if you are also a gardening enthusiast, you will agree with me about this. We all suffer in the early stage of our gardening journey in order to select the right location for our garden, considering the highest need for sun exposure and soil quality.
However, being an experienced gardener and an active contributor to the gardening community, I always try my best to help newcomers in this domain.
Following this, I would like to share my knowledge in choosing a garden location that can support plant growth while delivering maximum yield. Let’s start.
Factors Affecting Ideal Garden Location Selection
The following factors are crucial for the excellent growth and yield of the plants, which directs the gardeners to choose the right location for the garden.
Sun Exposure
We all know that plants require sunny to grow as they use solar energy to produce food through photosynthesis.
Depending on the plant type, your garden must retain sunny exposure for at least 6 hours. However, it is also essential to know that some delicate plants require a shaded environment; any direct contact with sunlight can damage them.
Soil Quality
Soil quality is another crucial factor that influences garden location selection. It is basically a combination of factors, including pH, fertility, texture, drainage capacity, and so on.
Here, the basic requirement is that all these factors maintain standard ratings which have been proven for substantial growth of the plants. Still, I want to notify you that based on the plant criteria, the required soil characteristics vary.
Considering this, if you select a garden space containing standard soil characteristics, you can adjust the soil properties per the plants’ requirements. But, if the soil quality is below average, it will be tough for you to improve as per the required level.
Climatic Conditions
Your area’s climate also influences your garden location selection process. In this case, factors like temperature fluctuation, average humidity, wind velocity, etc., are critical components that you must consider.
For example, if your selected garden space is exposed to high wind velocity, you will face issues like soil erosion, plant body damage, dust accumulation on the plants, etc.
Accessibility
Your selected location for the garden must be accessible easily. Otherwise, you will face challenges when taking in and out the materials from the garden.
You must note that you have to carry gardening materials in and out on a daily basis. The accessibility also includes having a path to reach the respective water source effortlessly.
Aesthetic
As I mentioned in the intro section, the garden is a canvas for us. We care for its aesthetics, keeping in mind a certain design. So, you must consider whether the location can host the desired design or not.
How to Choose Garden Location
If you have already decided to do gardening, follow the stepwise guide for location selection. Again, if you are just planning, I suggest you shadow the steps to understand the process better.
Step 01: Pre-selection
Considering the above-mentioned factors, the best way to select the garden space is to shortlist some locations. Then, you evaluate each location’s properties, following the next steps to identify the best one.
Step 02: Checking the Sunny Exposure Condition
As mentioned earlier, sunny exposure is a critical factor for the garden. So, check which shortlisted location meets the criteria below.
- The space is exposed to direct sunlight for a minimum of 6-8 hours per day.
- You have to check each shortlisted space’s shedding condition. Be sure that no big trees or buildings obstruct solar contact with the location’s soil.
- Considering the above point, you must research the angle change of the sun following the season’s change. At present, the space might be exposed to direct sunlight as per the standard rate, but when the season changes, the angle change of the sun can cause less sunny exposure.
Step 02: Checking Soil Quality
Soil quality is the foundational concern of every gardener. The soil with the standard quality ensures adequate drainage, nutrient supply, anchorage of the roots, etc., to support the growth of the plants.
Incorporate the following factors to select a suitable space from the shortlisted ones.
- Check whether the social texture is loose, compact, clayey, or loamy. If you have already selected the plant type for the garden, match the soil and plant. However, I suggest you go for a balancing context and adjust the soil texture for a particular plant in a specific portion of your garden.
- A soil pH test should be done to check whether the soil is alkaline or acidic. I suggest you ensure the soil pH level ranges between 5.5-7.5. You can increase or decrease the pH level.
- Check the soil’s nutrient level by using a solution named “extraction.” It will reveal the level of nutrients contained in the soil.
- Do the drainage test by creating a hole of 1 foot deep and 1 foot wide. Pour in water. The soil has a well-drainage capacity if the water drains out within 10 minutes.
Step 03: Check Accessibility
Accessibility is another core matter in garden location selection that you must consider.
The following are the concerns in this regard.
- The location must have an easily accessible road from your house and the main road.
- Your desired garden location may be accessible to the nearby water source. However, if you install the pump in your garden, then this is another case.
- Evaluate the irrigation option in terms of the space’s size and shape.
Step 04: Protective Elements Installation
Well, garden plants are highly susceptible to environmental factors like wind, rain, frost, etc.
You must ensure that the desired location is suitable enough to install or create protective structures.
- Check if you can create a windbreaker or not if needed.
- Ensure that the considered piece of land does not host frost pockets.
- For sensitive plants, you can also exploit the micro-climate elements like south-facing slop, naturally shaded areas due to a large plate, etc.
Potential Challenges You Might Face in Choosing a Garden Location
As per my experience, you can face the challenges listed below.
- You might find a highly suitable space but with limited space allocation. In this case, you can combine vertical and horizontal gardening techniques. If the space of the selected location is tiny, you can partially go for container gardening.
- If your selected location is in an urban area, there is no way that the garden will get sunny all day long due to high-rise buildings. So, in this case, you have to prioritise plants that grow under partially shaded conditions.
- Well, it is a harsh truth that, in most cases, people fail to find a garden location with perfect soil quality. I assume you will also face this issue. So, you have only one resolution: go for organic or inorganic soil amending after selecting the location to take the soil quality as per the required level.
- Having a good water source near the garden is very important. You must ensure that there is an easily accessible water source. If not, take the initiative to create an artificial water source within your garden area.
Final Words
I am sure that by incorporating the given stepwise guidelines, you will be able to choose a garden location that meets your requirements. You should start your search from the house-beside space to the end of the area.
However, if your backyard is large enough, you can easily convert it to a garden. In that case, I strongly recommend you consult professionally to create the garden.
