Walls and Fences

• Many people prefer to plant a garden near a wall because it provides natural shade. This is perfectly fine, but the soil located near walls and fences tends to be far more dry than soil located elsewhere. For this reason, gardens located near walls and fences need to be watered more often. It is also a good idea to incorporate peat and manure into the plan for a garden located near a wall.
  
  

Soil

• When looking for a good place to start a garden, take note of the color of your soil. The ideal soil for growing a garden should be neither very light, like sand, nor very heavy, like clay. Squeeze the soil through your fingers to make sure it contains enough fiber to hold moisture, but enough grit so the moisture can flow freely. To ensure that the soil is good for planting, always have a soil analysis done; this test will guide you toward the appropriate fertilizer, and let you know if the soil has too much acid or alkaline.
  
  

Weeds

• Weeds are a far greater threat to an outdoor garden than simply an aesthetic nuisance. There is a very good reason why people go to such trouble to pull weeds away from their garden. Weeds complete with the plants in your garden for water, soil nutrients, light and even oxygen. If your garden has been infiltrated by even just a few weeds, the plants you love are missing out on their necessities for life. In addition, weeds can be an entry for pests and diseases that can wreak havoc on your garden.
  
  

Pollution

• Growing an outdoor garden in the city and areas that are choked with pollution can be a real challenge. In these areas, grime can collect quite thickly on plants, and choke off their oxygen supply. To keep the grime and grease to a minimum, spray regularly with water using a hosepipe. The better the health of the leaves, the better the overall health of a plant. In dry weather, pollution can facilitate the sucking of moisture from the soil, so an inner-city garden may need watering more often. Apply a dressing of fertilizer along the top of the soil during summer.