April is National Garden Month, and never has there been a better April for you to dig in and make your garden dreams a reality.

With many of us sheltering at home, we have time and energy to focus on that garden project we’ve never quite been able to get underway. And we’re able to easily get the supplies needed for such a project: many home and garden centers are still open to walk-ins, while others have arranged to take online or over-the-phone orders that customers can drive over and pick up.

Here are some tips to help you get started!

Decide what you want to grow. Are you into herbs, looking forward to cut flowers, or pinning your hopes on fresh vegetables? Which plants are you most excited about growing? What do those plants need—full sun, or partial sun? Frequent watering, or not so frequent? The plants you want to grow will determine where you should create your garden.

Decide what type of garden you want. Will your plants go straight into the soil of your front or back yard? If that’s the case, you’ll probably need to amend the soil first. Will you build a raised bed or two? It’s not a difficult project—and it can be even easier if you order a raised bed kit. Or will you start out with a container garden? Your decision will depend on how much work you want to invest in the set-up of your garden.

Decide on a schedule. First of all, you need to make sure you’re planting your garden at the right time of the year; there’s a season for every plant! Then you’ll need to establish a watering and feeding schedule for your garden. How often will you fertilize your plants, and what type of fertilizer will you use? Do you have a sprinkler system that you can set on a timer, or will you need to remember to water your plants by hand?

Most of all, decide to have fun with your garden. There is a lot to learn about plants and how you can help them thrive, but you don’t have to learn it all at once! A couple of good books or websites, even a Facebook gardening group, can help you gain knowledge and experience in bite-size chunks. Enjoy the experience… and enjoy the fruits of your labor!

For more than 25 years, Beall Financial and Insurance Services, Inc., has been helping corporations and individuals protect their most important assets. The agency’s client base covers a spectrum of niche businesses, such as craft breweries, that require specialized insurance packages and knowledge. With California offices in Redlands and Newport Beach, Beall Financial and Insurance Services serves clients nationwide.