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Enjoy the winter - During the winter, the soil is frozen. There's nothing else to do but wait. Use this time to think and organize your future garden.

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Which spot - If you already had a garden last year, try to rethink your space. What worked? What didn't? Focus on things like sunshine, wind, and soil fertility.

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Permaculture - If you choose to plant in permaculture, rethink your architecture to optimize your success. Try to optimize your water resources, for instance.

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What is permaculture? - Permaculture aims at rebuilding the natural ecology in a stable and self-sufficient way. It seeks to offer your land a perfect balance of water supply, wind, and light.

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Sun -

If you need more sunlight, you can build things like ponds, mounds or rows, and even "suntraps." 

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What is a "suntrap"? - The purpose of the suntrap is to create a kind of hot microclimate that protects from cold winds. Well-planted shrubs, trees and bushes that are well exposed to the sun can create an excellent suntrap.

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Seasonal calendar - When is it best to plant? This depends on the climate of your region, as well as the pace at which you want to see your crops grow.

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What is a seasonal calendar? -

Make a seasonal calendar for each flower or vegetable, and see if they'll come around by next winter! Plant artichokes, and spinach for instance. Artichokes are harvested from April to September, and spinach still lasts all the way until April. This way, you will always have something to eat!

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The moon - The Earth's satellite influences the living things and energy of our beautiful planet, and that also goes for your garden. Did you know that there was such a thing as "lunar planting?" The lunar gardening calendar uses the rhythm of the planets and the moon to decide when to plant and harvest!

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Companion planting - You can also choose to plant some vegetables close to each other, which is called companion planting. When these vegetables grow side by side, they benefit from each other, like two friends who protect one another! Choosing the right companion plants will allow you, among other things, to limit the use of pesticides.

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Space - After choosing your plants, you should ask yourself about quantity. Depending on the amount, and the type of planting arrangements you have available, you will need to define the space that should be reserved for them.

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Horizontal or vertical? - Don't forget that you're not limited just by the horizontal space—you can also go vertical!

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Vertical - There's still time to build the tools you will need to get this height: arches, vines, or stakes—it's up to you!

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Basic rule - For everything except for legumes (beans, peas, lentils, etc.), here is a basic rule:  never replant the same plant in the same spot year after year!

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Perennial plant - Your garden appreciates the presence of perennials, but it is necessary to take care of them. If they were already planted as of this winter, clean them well: make sure to remove the blackened leaves, as the rot may continue to spread.

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What is a perennial plant? - A perennial plant is able to survive the winter, and can live for many years.

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Soil preparation -

It is advisable to work your land 15 days to 3 weeks before planting, so that it has time to settle.

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Cleaning - Get rid of everything you don't want to see in your garden, including pebbles, weeds, etc.

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Feeding -

Before planting, always add fertilizer to your land. Put it 25 to 30 cm into the ground for perennials and onions, and 40 to 50 cm for roses and other ornamental shrubs.

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Compensate - Do not hesitate to add compost where you want to grow your greedy plants! You should also figure out what kind of soil you're dealing with.

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Clay soil - For clay soil, you should add potting soil, peat, and coarse sand. Also think about adding dolomite, if your soil isn't limestone.

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What is dolomite? - Dolomite is a rock of marine origin rich in calcium, magnesium, and trace elements. Thanks to its slow and long-term effects, it is an amateur gardener's best friend for maintaining neutral ground and fighting off acidity.

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Humus rich soil - For humus soil, it is necessary to attack the acidity with dolomites, and to deter humidity with drainage.

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What is drainage? - Drainage is a soil arrangement that promotes the flow of water. Ideally, trenches should be dug 60 cm deep and filled with gravel.

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Alternatives - Trenches are sometimes difficult to achieve, but there are other solutions to avoid to having too much water in your soil. You can, for instance, plant species that naturally need a lot of water, such as ferns.

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Sandy soil - You should add humus to sandy soil in the form of compost, manure, potting soil, or black peat.

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Compost or manure: what is the difference? -

Compost and manure are each products made up of the decomposition of organic waste: the first one is often kitchen waste, and the second contains urine, feces, and runoff from livestock. Both can be used to give your soil a boost by strengthening its stock of humus.

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Natural fertilizer -

Homemade compost and dehydrated manure are 100% natural fertilizers that should be mixed with the soil for planting.

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Organo-mineral fertilizer - However there are also numerous benefits to an organo-mineral fertilizer, composed of nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potassium, which will prevent the bulbs from rotting.

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Limestone soil - In calcareous soil, it is advisable to add sulfur, approximately 200 to 300 g of sulfur per square meter, as well as peat or potting soil.

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What is sulfur? - This yellow substance is very useful for balancing limestone soil. For simple use: buy it in pellets, then mix it thoroughly with soil, and water it all. Wait one week and up to a month before planting.

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Watering - Once your plants are in the ground, and now that spring is finally here, you will have to start with the watering. The amount of water depends, again, on the climate, soil, exposure, slope of the land, etc. One general principle you should follow however: water rather abundantly once a week, and only a little bit every day.

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Observe the awakening of nature -

Now that you're all set to start your gardening, good luck and enjoy spring!

Also check out: Stunning pictures of spring to celebrate its arrival

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