Planning out your garden each spring can be a fun way to chase away the winter blues, but if you’re new to gardening or short on time, this task can become overwhelming. Choosing a location, working out a layout, and picking the plants you want to use is just half the battle–then you still need to prep the space and do the planting.
Plant by Number is looking to majorly simplify the gardening process for beginners and master gardeners alike. With an easy-to-use plant map that can guide your plant placement (and even help you select your plants), this tool will set you up for success. It’s exactly like a paint-by-number craft, except for your garden!
:strip_icc()/PBN-Island-Design-EV2-e6927a3b0009470d869d969f7848c62e.jpeg)
About Plant by Number
Plant by Number offers garden maps printed on landscape fabric, so you can choose a layout that works for your home, then place the map in your yard and plant directly on top of it. The weed-blocking fabric takes some of the work out of preparing a garden bed, and the map provides an easy layout for designing your garden. You can also order plants directly from the company along with your map, making it a one-stop shop to get everything you need for a beautiful, lush garden.
Dimensions are included on each map, and range from small 5×5 foot plots up to 14×20 foot maps that can cover a large area.
How to Choose the Best Option for Your Garden
Currently, Plant by Number has plenty of garden layouts to choose from, sorted by various features. Depending on where you want to plant your garden bed, you can choose a layout that has space for features like a mailbox or birdbath, or you can choose options designed to line a walkway or surround a tree. Some choices can work as a traditional garden bed in front of your house with one or two centerpiece plants, and there are even layouts made specifically for showing off native plants.
Before purchasing your map. you should first consider drainage and sunlight. If an area of your yard tends to collect water and stay wet when it rains, you’ll probably want to choose a different spot (or try to improve the drainage before planting anything!).
The maps offer options for both full and partial sun, so you’ll also want to know how much light the area you’re planting gets. A fully sunlit area will get at least six hours of direct light on most days, while partial sun receives four to six hours of direct light on average. Once you have a location chosen and know the light requirements for the area, you can get started.
How ‘Plant by Number’ Works
Once you’ve chosen your template, Plant by Number also offers suggestions for plants. You can get personalized recommendations based on your location and gardening zone, so you’ll only see plants that will thrive in your area. You can make your own selections, go with Plant by Number’s recommendations, or do a combination of both.
After ordering, the planting process is super simple. You’ll receive a PDF of your garden layout, plus a garden map printed on landscape fabric to help guide your plant placement. Position the fabric over the area you want to plant in your garden, then mark a border around the map. Complete any prep the under area needs—like removing existing weeds and shrubs or mowing grass—then lay the garden map back over the area and secure it with landscape staples.
Position your plants on top of the fabric, following the numbers to match plants to locations. Cut a small hole in the fabric, and dig into the soil underneath to plant. Once you’ve finished planting everything, add a two-inch layer of mulch so that no landscape fabric is visible. The fabric will help prevent weeds from growing, and the mulch will make your garden look more complete.
Then you can sit back and enjoy your garden! Keep an eye on your garden bed, and water it as needed. Hopefully, you can rely on nature to water your garden beds for you, but it might need a little extra help during a dry spell.
