Seeking information for local to me programs to create a large garden - Ask Extension
I have a large backyard that I would like to make into a sustainable/edible lot. My kids are grown and I would like to not cut grass in my big backyar...
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Seeking information for local to me programs to create a large garden #893150
Asked February 25, 2025, 1:24 PM EST
I have a large backyard that I would like to make into a sustainable/edible lot. My kids are grown and I would like to not cut grass in my big backyard. I would like to plant fruit trees, native flowers and edible plants. I already have a few wild berry bushes and some other berry bushes I will plant this spring. This is my first step in seeking assistance to do this. Thank you
Columbiana County Ohio
Expert Response
Dear Viola,
I will try to give you some of the information you need to expand your garden space now that your kids have flown.
I usually look for articles from universities or botanical gardens to insure the most reliable information. However, just to get the juices going, I thought this one could be useful.
https://blog.southernexposure.com/2020/10/planning-a-large-scale-home-garden/
I will go over several aspects of the process with you here. But I also encourage you to snoop around on the internet to find articles which suit your style and knowledge since you have had some experience gardening already.
Measuring the space and blocking out beds, observing and recording the pattern of sun and shade over the course of the day, checking for drainage issues and getting a soil test are first steps in my estimation. I like the University of Massachusetts soil test lab for the clarity of their report. The sooner you do this the better since many other gardeners will be gearing up for the season. When you download their information, it will instruct you to take samples from many sites and dry them and combine them into a cup to send to them. But given your large area you may want to spring for several tests in different areas of your yard.
Drainage test: dig a hole about a foot deep and fill it with water. Put a measuring stick into the hole and mark the top of the water line.. then come back in four hours and check it. If it has gone down 6 inches in 4 hours, then in 8 hours it might go down to the bottom which is a good sign. This test is described online but I am cautious about sending you too much information all at once. If you need help finding this article let me know.
Soil amendments: the soil test will give you recommendations about what you need to add. You may have access to compost or well rotted manure. A common recommendation is that your soil should contain perhaps 6 to 10 % organic matter. Soil prep 90% of gardening I was taught. So this is an area where you will be spending a lot of time and possibly money to prepare your soil for the best results.
I assume from your note that you have a water source easily available.The news about our climate getting hotter and drier in Ohio would lead me to suggest in ground watering, like drip irrigation or a soaker hose system. This might be impractical in terms of your large yard, water pressure issues or expense. But it is an investment that might pay handsomely over time.
I am going to stop here because this is already a long note. I will gladly continue if you want me to. I will probably handle what to plant, where to plant, how to source materials in a follow up email. Let me know if you want to continue our conversation.
I will try to give you some of the information you need to expand your garden space now that your kids have flown.
I usually look for articles from universities or botanical gardens to insure the most reliable information. However, just to get the juices going, I thought this one could be useful.
https://blog.southernexposure.com/2020/10/planning-a-large-scale-home-garden/
I will go over several aspects of the process with you here. But I also encourage you to snoop around on the internet to find articles which suit your style and knowledge since you have had some experience gardening already.
Measuring the space and blocking out beds, observing and recording the pattern of sun and shade over the course of the day, checking for drainage issues and getting a soil test are first steps in my estimation. I like the University of Massachusetts soil test lab for the clarity of their report. The sooner you do this the better since many other gardeners will be gearing up for the season. When you download their information, it will instruct you to take samples from many sites and dry them and combine them into a cup to send to them. But given your large area you may want to spring for several tests in different areas of your yard.
Drainage test: dig a hole about a foot deep and fill it with water. Put a measuring stick into the hole and mark the top of the water line.. then come back in four hours and check it. If it has gone down 6 inches in 4 hours, then in 8 hours it might go down to the bottom which is a good sign. This test is described online but I am cautious about sending you too much information all at once. If you need help finding this article let me know.
Soil amendments: the soil test will give you recommendations about what you need to add. You may have access to compost or well rotted manure. A common recommendation is that your soil should contain perhaps 6 to 10 % organic matter. Soil prep 90% of gardening I was taught. So this is an area where you will be spending a lot of time and possibly money to prepare your soil for the best results.
I assume from your note that you have a water source easily available.The news about our climate getting hotter and drier in Ohio would lead me to suggest in ground watering, like drip irrigation or a soaker hose system. This might be impractical in terms of your large yard, water pressure issues or expense. But it is an investment that might pay handsomely over time.
I am going to stop here because this is already a long note. I will gladly continue if you want me to. I will probably handle what to plant, where to plant, how to source materials in a follow up email. Let me know if you want to continue our conversation.
