When preparing a garden for spring planting there are many things to take into account. First, decide what kind of plants or bushes you will be planting. Flowers require different care than herbs and vegetables. Settle on a site that best suits your needs, in terms of sun light, soil condition, drainage, and then get to work. Weeding should be done before you put anything into the ground; that includes removing grass; the more you leave, even turned over, the more that will eventually sprout.  It's best to get off to a good start by being thorough.

Next, add compost or manure, which imparts much needed nutrients and aids in water retention. Some may chose to go in the opposite direction, digging holes and placing small to medium sized rocks along the bottom for improved drainage.  Again, this all depends on what type of plants you wish to flourish.

One thing I've regretted in the past was not leaving adequate room for a reasonably sized adult to maneuver within the garden. At times, I've had to call upon the kids for assistance. Luckily they like getting their hands dirty, but that may not last. This growing season, I had a master plan. I started preparing the ground weeks in advance. A few eyebrows were raised by my neighbors, but it's actually the proper thing to do. Some people start months in advance and they get great results, some award winning. The key is giving the soil enough time to assimilate the nutrients and additives that you prep it with.

Once the soil was as aerated and nutrient rich as I liked it, through adding compost, banana peel, crushed egg shells and, yes, live worms, I started placing markers, not only to ensure that I had adequate room to move around, but that the plants had adequate room to grow. Crowding is often a problem in first time gardening efforts. I had an existing border of wire, to keep the animals out, and stepping stones for access as well as elegance, so that was one thing I didn't have to worry about. Although, if you don't currently have these things, now would be a good time to either purchase them or make your own; it would be a great project to have the children help out with.  

After making sure the garden was secure from pests (we get a lot of skunks and raccoons) I began creating even furrows, for plantings rows of small width flowers, and, larger, more generously spaced holes, for roses and other types of bushes. A trip or two to Home Depot, Lowe's, the local nursery or wherever else you might find seeds and plants and you're just about done. Don't forget to moisten the soil before you put the seeds or plants in. Before long, your efforts will be rewarded with a nicely flourishing garden that adds greatly to the enjoyment of your home.