When you're planning your organic garden, you have to first take an inventory of your site. Your goal is to encourage healthy, pest-resistant plants, so choose plants that can grow to their full potential where you plant them. Consider these factors when laying out your organic garden:
Sun and shade: Duration and time of day and year that the sun shines directly on the site.
Soil: Structure, texture, pH, drainage, and moisture.
Views: Unsightly views to screen; pleasant views to enhance or preserve.
Slope: Steep, flat, valley floors.
Wind: Speed and direction at different times of year.
Hardiness zone: Average winter low temperatures.
Obstacles: Locations of buildings, overhead and buried utilities, roads, and property boundaries.
