How to Plant a Chocolate Garden

Spade the garden area to be planted and turn the soil over in shovelfuls. Break up the soil as needed with the point of the spade until the soil is loose and crumbly.

Spread 2 inches of organic compost over the entire area of the garden.

Design the garden space depending on the type of chocolate plants you choose. Generally, tall plants such as corn should be planted on the north side of the garden to prevent them from over-shading other plants. Plant downwards in height as you reach the south side of the garden so that the shortest plants exist on the south side. This progressive planting also ensures that you can see and enjoy all of the plants. Begin planting in the spring or after the last frost.

Plant corn seeds or starter plants at the north-facing side of the garden. If planting seeds, sink them one at a time at a depth of two to three times the seed's length. If planting starter plants, dig a hole matching the depth of the starter plant container. Place the starter plant in the hole and gently pat the soil around it so that it is firmly in the ground. Place all corn plants 1 foot apart.

Plant tomato seeds or starter plants in front of the corn seed plot. Plant them 1 1/2 feet apart; seeds should be planted at a depth of two to three times the seed's length while the seedlings should be planted at the same depth as the container they were held in.

Plant chocolate finger, chocolate daisy and chocolate cosmo starter plants or seeds in alternating strips in front of the tomatoes. Alternatively, create a design of incorporated chocolate fingers, chocolate daisies and chocolate cosmos or mix all three seed types and broadcast them together for random growth. After broadcasting the seeds, lightly rake them into the soil.

Water the new plantings thoroughly until the ground is saturated. Poke your finger into the soil periodically while watering to see if the water has reached the seed or starter-plant-root level. Stop watering if water begins to pool on the soil's surface. For seeds, water the area daily to keep the soil moist but not wet until they germinate; then water as needed. If a plant needs water, the soil will be dry. Do not let the plants go without water to the point of drooping leaves and stems.

Amend the soil with compost tea or another organic fertilizer once each season, or every three months. If you use compost tea, mix a solution of equal parts compost tea and water, and use the mixture as part of your regular watering routine. If you use a purchased fertilizer, follow the manufacturer's application instructions.

Place stepping stones around the garden. Plant low-growing chocolate-chip bugleweed starter plants or seeds in between the stones. If planting them by seed, sprinkle the seeds in between stones and lightly rake them into the soil with your fingers. Keep soil moist until the plants are well established. Then water as needed.