I first started planning our family garden in January of 2020. There was quite a number of things to consider before I could even start! What types of plants did I want to buy and when in the season should I plant them? What is my location and how does that affect what I can grow? Should I fill up my whole yard with a garden or just focus on a small area? Those are just some of the questions that came up and soon I found myself down a rabbit hole of information and I honestly felt completely lost. I realized I would be spending a good bit of time researching before starting anything. 

A few things I know are the following: 

We have a large backyard that is somewhat open and is surrounded by a woods on one side, with neighbors on the other two sides. Their yards are fenced in, while mine is not. We moved here last year and have seen lots of wildlife around like deer, birds, turtles, frogs, lots of insects, and raccoons. I am sure there are more we just don’t see them.

Our woods are filled with lots of pine trees, a few azelea bushes, and many invasive plant species that want to take over. We have a small creek that runs through the woods and through the neighborhood. 

Our weather this last year was very warm and humid with rounds of drenching heavy rains. Hail occurs on occasion. When the sun is out it is humid and searing hot. 

Our future plans for the yard include a deck which limits the space I can use to garden until I know where that will be and what areas are left for me to garden in. 

Our yard is not really grass at all. It is mostly weeds and moss from I have seen. Drainage is an issue in some places. 

Our soil is clay and sand. It is very hard and dry and retains water poorly.  

These photos are of my property right after we moved in last summer.  It really is a blank slate with lots of overgrowth and cleaning up to do.