How to Start a Garden on the Gulf Coast of Alabama

Determine the kind of garden you would like to raise, such as a vegetable garden, herb garden or flower garden. A vegetable garden will require a location with full sun. Tomatoes, collards, cauliflower and chard do well in Alabama gardens. Herbs prefer full sun as well and a flower garden can have partial shade, depending on the types of flowers you decide to plant. Choose plants that will do well in your particular location. Locate the garden in a protected location if you live in a coastal area subject to salt spray.

Choose a garden site. Determine the location by the purpose of the garden. For example, plant an herb garden close to the kitchen so you can easily snip fresh herbs when preparing a meal. Place a flower garden where you can share the view of the garden with friends and neighbors. Allow it to complement the landscape of your home. Place a vegetable garden away from trees that will shade the garden or where tree roots will grow into the garden. Select a vegetable garden site that has not been used for raising vegetables in the past. The soil will not be contaminated with previous pesticide or chemical applications nor will it be depleted from growing previous crops. Choose a site with good drainage.

Place stakes to define the area of the new garden space. Cultivate the soil in the garden plot with a garden tractor or rototiller. Cultivate the soil several times to thoroughly break up the soil. Remove rocks, roots and plant material. Cultivate again until the soil is loose and crumbly. Rake the surface to smooth and remove any debris that remains in the soil. Alabama red clay is compacted and needs multiple passes with the garden cultivator to break up the heavy clods. Consider adding Alabama red jumper earthworms to your garden to help with soil enrichment and aeration. Purchase Alabama red jumpers from home and garden centers or landscape contractors.

Test several samples of the garden soil, as soil can vary greatly in a given area. Place samples in individual plastic bags and mark them to keep the samples separate. Take the samples to your local Alabama county extension office and request an evaluation of the soil composition and pH level. Test the soil in home gardens every two years, as recommended by the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service. Soil test kits are available from home and garden stores.

Amend the soil as required prior to planting. For soil that has too high a clay content, add garden or landscape sand. To raise the pH of soil, add lime following package directions. Adding approximately 1 lb. of lime to every 2 yards of garden soil will raise pH levels by one point. Sprinkle lime and/or sand on the surface of the soil and cultivate well. If soil is heavy in clay, an addition of organic manure and peat moss will improve the texture of the soil. Spread 2 to 3 inches of manure and peat moss on top of the soil, then cultivate well.