En primer lugar, preparo la jardinera.

Primer is the shortened form of primero used before a masculine singular noun.

Here, the noun is lugar (place), which is masculine singular, so Spanish uses primer:

• el primer paso
• el primer día
• en primer lugar

You would use primero when it stands alone:

• Primero, preparo la jardinera.

So in this sentence, primer is correct because it comes directly before lugar.

It means first, first of all, or in the first place.

Literally, it is something like in first place, but in normal English we usually translate it more naturally as:

• First
• First of all
• To begin with

It is a common expression for introducing the first step in a process or the first point in a list.

Yes, usually.

• Primero, preparo la jardinera. → more direct, common, conversational
• En primer lugar, preparo la jardinera. → a bit more formal, organized, or structured

Both are correct. If you are describing steps in a recipe, instructions, or a presentation, en primer lugar sounds slightly more polished.

Because Spanish often leaves out subject pronouns when the verb already makes the subject clear.

Preparo is the I form of preparar, so yo is understood:

• (Yo) preparo la jardinera.

Spanish speakers usually omit yo unless they want emphasis, contrast, or clarity.

For example:

• Yo preparo la jardinera, y tú plantas las flores.

Here, yo is included to contrast I with you.

Preparo is the first-person singular present indicative form of preparar.

That means:

• infinitive: preparar = to prepare
• preparo = I prepare / I am preparing

This is the regular pattern for -ar verbs in the yo form:

• hablar → hablo
• trabajar → trabajo
• preparar → preparo

The present tense in Spanish is often used to describe:

• habitual actions
• actions happening now
• steps in a sequence
• instructions or demonstrations

So En primer lugar, preparo la jardinera can sound like someone is explaining a process step by step:

• First, I prepare the planter.
• First, I get the planter ready.

Spanish often uses the simple present in this kind of step-by-step narration, just like English can.

Because jardinera is a feminine singular noun, so it takes the feminine singular definite article la.

• el = masculine singular
• la = feminine singular

So:

• la jardinera

Also, Spanish uses definite articles more often than English does. In context, la jardinera usually means the planter / the flower box / the planter box, referring to a specific one already understood.

It depends on context, but in many Latin American contexts, jardinera commonly means a planter, flower box, or planting container.

However, jardinera can have other meanings in different regions or contexts, such as:

• a female gardener
• a type of garment in some countries
• other regional meanings

So the exact meaning depends on the situation. If your translation has already shown the intended meaning, that is the one to use here.

Yes.

These are all possible:

• En primer lugar, preparo la jardinera.
• Primero, preparo la jardinera.
• Primero preparo la jardinera.

They are all grammatical. The differences are mainly in style and rhythm:

• En primer lugar sounds more formal or structured
• Primero sounds simpler and more natural in everyday speech

Because En primer lugar is an introductory expression.

In Spanish, introductory phrases are often followed by a comma, especially in careful writing:

• En primer lugar, preparo la jardinera.

The comma helps separate the transition phrase from the main clause. In casual writing, punctuation can vary a little, but the comma is standard and recommended here.

Yes, but the original order is the most natural if you want to emphasize the sequence.

For example:

• En primer lugar, preparo la jardinera.
• Preparo la jardinera en primer lugar.

Both are possible, but they do not sound exactly the same.

The original sentence puts the sequencing phrase first, which is typical when listing steps.
The second version puts more focus on when the action happens, almost like saying I prepare the planter first rather than something else first.