Prior to planting you must decide whether your garden will be raised or tilled.  Raised means using topsoil to plant above or upon the existing surface.  The soil in a raised garden will dry out more quickly than in a tilled garden.  A tilled garden means plowing up the existing surface to prepare the land for planting.  You should also decide how you wish to enclose your garden.  You might use railroad ties, landscape timbers or bricks.  Untreated wood might look good for a while, but it will eventually rot.

The area you selected and the prepared soil are now ready for planting.  It is a good idea to review your seed packages noting the depth to plant, the spacing of the seeds, and the height and width of the mature plant.  Verify again that the plants you have chosen will have the necessary conditions to survive in your garden.

EQUIPMENT 

You do not need a great deal of expensive material to begin working.  Some of the tools necessary can be found at garage sales and flea markets.  Your list of equipment might include the following items.

Tiller

Shovels

Hoes

Rakes

Hand tools – shovel, rake, hoes (for children)

Wagons or wheelbarrows

Truck – for transporting large items

Yarn or thread – to section off areas

Thumb tacks, small nails, hammer

Gardening gloves

Trash bags

 Planting:

The sooner plants are planted, the more time they have to become established in the garden. Plants purchased in containers may be left in their containers for a few days, however, to avoid the plant drying out, they should be planted as soon as possible. Bare root plants should be planted according to the instructions provided by the nursery.

Spring is the best time to plant perennials as they will have plenty of time to get well established prior to the summer heat. Spring is also a good time to transplant and/or divide perennials. Perennials may also be planted during the summer, however, the plants are more susceptible to drying out. If planted in the summer, it is important to water daily for at least one week. Fall is also a good time to plant perennials as the heat of summer has passed and the plants will still have time to become established prior to the harshness of winter.

Following are a few planting tips:

• Over-raking the soil will create very "thin" soil that will turn to mud when it rains. When the soil dries, a hard crust will form and plants may not be able to penetrate the crust.
  • Remove all weeds from the garden area.
    • Plant when the soil, not just the air, is warm.
      • To make the soil more workable, lightly water the garden area. This should be done approximately one hour prior to planting. Avoid over-watering the area.
        • To avoid stressing the plants, planting is best done during a light rain, after a rain, in late afternoon, or on a cloudy day.
          • Mulching around the plants will keep weeds to a minimum, help retain moisture, and keep roots cool.
            • Make certain the garden area drains well as the plant roots may rot or become disease or insect ridden.
              • Set plants in the ground at the same depth as they were in the container.

                Sources: www.lewisgardens.com/planting 

                              www.cosm.sc.edu/cse/plantinggarden