Plan the Perfect Garden

Published on March 31, 2026

Seed catalogs are starting to fill up gardeners’ mailboxes. The photos are a nice break from the snow and cold. This is a great time to think about spring and start planning your garden!

Here are a few things to think about as you design your garden:

1) Garden Size

Your garden size should match:

• how much space you have,
• how much time you can spend gardening, and
• how much food you can use (or share).

Planting too much is one of the quickest ways to feel overwhelmed.

Good choices for small gardens (big harvest in a small space):

• bush snap beans
• bush peas
• leafy greens
• tomatoes
• bell peppers
• bush squash

Plants that take a lot of space and don’t always give as much back:

• vining melons
• vining squash
• pumpkins
• sweet corn

Short on space?
Container gardens (pots, buckets, raised containers) are a great option.

2) Types of Plants

Pick plants that you and your family will actually eat and use. Also make sure your garden has the right amount of space and sunlight.

Most vegetable gardens do best in full sun, but some crops can grow in partial shade.

Full sun areas are best for plants that grow fruit or seeds, like:

• corn
• tomatoes
• squash
• cucumbers
• eggplant
• peppers
• beans
• peas

Partly shaded areas are better for plants grown for leaves or roots, like:

• beets
• cabbage
• lettuce
• mustard greens
• chard
• spinach
• turnips

Perennial crops (plants that come back every year):
If you’re planting berries, asparagus, or rhubarb, put them all in one area since they will stay in the same spot each year.

Fun idea: Try one new vegetable or variety each year. Let kids help choose it and take care of it—this can turn into a fun family tradition!

3) Seeds or Starts

You can buy seeds and starter plants (also called transplants) from catalogs, online, or local garden centers.

If you’re starting seeds indoors, pay attention to the timing for each plant. Seed packets usually tell you:

• how long germination takes,
• when to move plants outside, and
• when to plant seeds.

Example: A tomato seed packet may say, “Start seeds indoors 4–8 weeks before the last spring frost.”
In Outagamie County, the last frost is usually around May 12, so late March is the earliest time to start tomato seeds indoors.

Saving extra seeds:
Most vegetable seeds can be saved for later. Store them in sealed jars or cans to protect them from moisture, insects, and rodents. Keep them in a cool place, like an unheated room or the refrigerator.

Buying starter plants (transplants):
Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, peppers, and tomatoes often grow best when you transplant them into the garden. When buying transplants, avoid plants that are:

• yellow,
• “leggy” (tall with thin stems), or
• sick/diseased.

4) Record Keeping

Keeping a simple garden notebook can help you plan next year. You might write down:

• which varieties grew well,
• what problems you had (bugs, disease, weather),
• a quick garden map showing where plants were planted,
• how much you harvested,
• planting dates.

A well-planned garden can save you time and money, and it helps you feel ready when spring shows up.

If you have questions about your garden from planning to harvest, contact Kaitlin Bricco, Horticulture Educator, at Extension Outagamie County at 920-832-4764 or Kaitlin.Bricco@wisc.edu.