The Gardening Planner is a helpful tool designed to organize and optimize your gardening activities throughout the year. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, it helps you plan planting schedules, track seasonal tasks, monitor plant growth, and manage garden layouts.
Drag plants from the palette to design your garden
Garden Stats
Total Plants:0
Area Used:0 sq ft
Companions:0
Conflicts:0
Quick Tips
• Start with your largest plants first
• Consider mature plant sizes
• Group plants with similar water needs
• Use companion planting for pest control
Garden Weather
Today:72°F
Humidity:65%
Last Frost:Apr 15
First Frost:Oct 30
Filters
Plant Database
Companion Planting Matrix
Plant
Good Companions
Bad Companions
Benefits
How It Works
Good Companions: Plants that benefit each other through pest control, nutrient sharing, or growth enhancement.
Bad Companions: Plants that compete for resources or inhibit each other’s growth.
Top Companion Pairs
Tomatoes + Basil
Improved flavor & pest control
Carrots + Onions
Pest deterrent partnership
Corn + Beans + Squash
The Three Sisters method
Science Behind It
Allelopathy: Chemical interactions between plants that can inhibit or promote growth.
Nitrogen Fixation: Legumes add nitrogen to soil, benefiting nearby plants.
Pest Confusion: Mixed plantings can disrupt pest location strategies.
Beneficial Insects: Diverse plantings attract helpful predators and pollinators.
Calendar Settings
Zone Information
Zone 6b: -5°F to 0°F
Last Frost: ~April 15
First Frost: ~October 30
Growing Season: 197 days
Planting Calendar
2024
Sow Seeds
Transplant
Harvest
Rest Period
Plant Spacing Calculator
Garden Dimensions
Total Area: 32 sq ft
Plant Selection
Spacing:
Mature Size:
Days to Harvest:
Sun Requirements:
Planting Method
Calculation Results
Select a plant and calculate to see spacing recommendations
Visual Layout
Visualization will appear after calculation
Soil Science Fundamentals
Understanding Soil Composition
Healthy soil contains approximately 45% mineral particles, 25% water, 25% air, and 5% organic matter. The mineral component consists of sand, silt, and clay in varying proportions, determining soil texture and drainage characteristics.
Sand (0.05-2mm)
Provides drainage and aeration but low nutrient retention
Silt (0.002-0.05mm)
Balances drainage with nutrient holding capacity
Clay (<0.002mm)
High nutrient retention but can impede drainage
pH and Nutrient Availability
Soil pH affects nutrient availability through chemical processes. Most vegetables prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0-7.0) where nutrients are most readily available. At extreme pH levels, essential nutrients become locked up and unavailable to plants.
Plants convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen through photosynthesis. This process occurs primarily in chloroplasts within leaf cells and is the foundation of all plant growth and development.
6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂
Carbon Dioxide + Water + Light → Glucose + Oxygen
Nutrient Uptake and Transport
Plants absorb nutrients through their root systems via two main processes: mass flow (nutrients dissolved in water) and diffusion (nutrients moving from high to low concentration areas). The vascular system then transports these nutrients throughout the plant.
Macronutrients (NPK+)
• Nitrogen (N): Leaf growth, chlorophyll
• Phosphorus (P): Root development, flowering
• Potassium (K): Disease resistance, water regulation
• Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur
Micronutrients
• Iron (Fe): Chlorophyll synthesis
• Manganese (Mn): Enzyme activation
• Zinc (Zn): Growth regulators
• Boron, Copper, Molybdenum
Garden Ecosystem Dynamics
Beneficial Insects and Predator-Prey Relationships
A healthy garden ecosystem maintains balance through complex predator-prey relationships. Beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and predatory wasps control pest populations naturally, reducing the need for chemical interventions.
Soil Microbiome
The rhizosphere (root zone) contains billions of microorganisms that form symbiotic relationships with plants. Mycorrhizal fungi extend root networks, improving nutrient and water uptake, while beneficial bacteria fix nitrogen and suppress plant diseases.
Key Ecosystem Services
• Pollination
• Pest Control
• Soil Aeration
• Nutrient Cycling
• Disease Suppression
• Water Retention
Advanced Growing Techniques
Succession Planting
Maximize harvest by planting crops in intervals. Sow fast-growing crops like lettuce and radishes every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the growing season.
Intercropping and Polyculture
Growing multiple crops together can improve space efficiency, pest management, and soil health. The Three Sisters method (corn, beans, squash) is a classic example of beneficial intercropping.
Season Extension
Cold Frames
Extend growing season 4-6 weeks in spring and fall
Row Covers
Protect from frost and pests while allowing light through
Quick Facts
Soil Temperature
Seeds germinate best when soil is 10°F warmer than air temperature
Companion Benefits
Can increase yields by 20-30% through natural pest control
Water Efficiency
Mulching reduces water needs by up to 50%
Common Mistakes
•Overwatering – leads to root rot and fungal diseases
•Planting too early – cold soil prevents germination
•Overcrowding – reduces air circulation and increases disease risk
⚠️ Hot weather expected this week. Increase watering frequency.
What is a Gardening Planner?
A Gardening Planner is a tool that helps you organize, schedule, and track gardening activities such as planting, watering, fertilizing, and harvesting.
Who can use the Gardening Planner?
Anyone—from beginners to experienced gardeners—can use it to manage their garden more efficiently.
Can I track my plant growth and harvests?
Yes, you can log growth progress, harvest dates, and notes on plant performance to improve your future planning.
