Gardening can be a favorite hobby for many people. Whether you’re growing fresh produce or flowers, tending to your garden can be very relaxing, enjoyable and almost therapeutic. While it may seem like growing a thriving and successful garden in the cloudy weather of Seattle may be hard to do, it’s actually quite the opposite!

Seattle’s mild seasons and rainy days make for some of the best soil for gardening.

There are some plants that are more successful than others to plant during a Seattle spring, such as carrots, potatoes and watermelon, but knowing when and where to plant makes all the difference. Give these gardening tips a try to help you grow all of your favorite veggies and greenery in no time!

1. Plot your location

The three most important factors that will determine the success of your garden are sun, access and soil. Start from the roots of your garden by choosing a location that will best fit your type of garden.

Sun

Seattle has many cloudy days, but the sun still does shine! Certain plants need more or less sun than others. Vegetables love the sun. In fact, it’s one of the most important elements in growing veggies. On average, vegetables need six hours of sunlight. Flowers also need a lot of sunlight as they take a lot of energy to grow. If you’re worried about your plants not getting enough light, be flexible with your planting times and pay attention to the weather. If the forecast shows a stretch of sunny days, plant sun-loving plants! Chances are you may have to replant some of your seeds, but if you pay attention to temperature and follow seed package guidelines, you’ll be just fine.

Access

Choose the most accessible location to plot your garden. If your backyard has a perfect space for a garden, but is shaded by the side of your home or your source of water is out of reach, chances are your garden will not be as prosperous as you wish. You’ll want your garden to be close enough to your home that you are able to quickly step out the door and grab some peppers or tomatoes to pop on your salad!

A great option for an easily accessible garden is a container garden. Container gardening involves growing plants exclusively in containers instead of in the ground. Container gardens are convenient as they’re easy to move and change, not to mention stylish! For small-spaced living, there are many DIY garden options to pack the most garden into the smallest space, even if it’s on your balcony in the city.

Soil

The key to growing your garden will be your soil. A vegetable garden will require rich organic matter. Most Seattle soil consists of sand and clay soil types. Sand soil is dry and water easily runs through it. Clay soil can clod when wet and be dusty when dry. Then there is your best option, loamy soil, which retains moisture while also being easily drainable. Test your soil in your hand to see if it instantly falls apart (sand), holds shape, but falls apart when you squeeze it (loam), or if it holds shape even when you squeeze it (clay).

Depending on your type of soil and plants, you’ll want to allow enough drainage so that your soil isn’t over watered. An easy way to control your soil is to make raised beds in your garden, meaning the soil grows a few inches higher than the ground. This will allow you to ensure your soil is to your liking. If you’re container gardening, making sure you have good drainage will be crucial. Each container should have holes in the bottom with a liner and layer of rocks. The last part of good soil is compost and fertilizer. Fertilizer will contribute to producing your plants, but you’ll want the right fertilizer fit for Seattle, like this organic Pacific Northwest fertilizer recipe. Compost is decomposed organic matter, like leaves, eggshells, apple cores and other food waste that help aid plant growth.

2. The right type at the right time

Once you have your location determined, whether in the ground or in containers, the next step is choosing your plants. Certain plants thrive in certain climates, and times of the year. The right plants, planted at the right time will contribute to your gardening success. Some of the easier vegetables to grow in Seattle are potatoes, asparagus, carrots, lettuce, cherry tomatoes and summer squashes. If you’re looking to bloom the perfect flower, try pansies, daffodils and tulips. Many Seattle gardeners suggest planting flowers indoors starting in February and transplanting them later.

3. Good care and maintenance

Spring is for showing off your beautiful flower beds, lush greenery, and fresh, plump vegetables, so whether you’re a first time gardener or a pro, keeping your garden well maintained and cared for is key. Tending to your garden means taking care of regular maintenance tasks. This can include watering, weeding, mulching, and feeding your plants organic matter. Look out for invasive garden plants like English ivy that is an invasive King County species that can damage your yard. Planting more native species that are already adapted to the Seattle climate will provide a good habitat for local wildlife and also require less maintenance.

There are many different types of gardens you can grow in Seattle, depending on your location, available space, and amount of time you’re willing to dedicate. You are only limited to your own imagination, but keep in mind that as enjoyable as gardens can be, the process of planting, growing, and sustaining a successful garden will take a few trial runs (and perhaps failures) until you get into your ultimate gardening groove!