Gardening is one of the best ways to improve your health and mood. You might have a lot of reasons for wanting to start a garden. They can be a lot of work, but they also give growers a lot of joy. Aside from the benefit of working on growing your produce, you also add beauty to your property. You will have to put work into your garden, but you don’t need to have a green thumb.
There are a variety of garden types you can plant. You can decide to grow plants, herbs, or vegetables. Whether you choose to start it in the ground or have a potted garden, there are some tips you should know to help you get started. Here are five things to keep in mind as you start your garden from scratch.
Know What to Grow
Before starting your garden, you should research what you want to grow. You could do a vegetable and fruit garden and eat from your backyard. If you feel overwhelmed by all of your options, try concentrating on one or two fruits or vegetables to start. Green beans and cucumbers are some of the easier vegetables to grow. If you want to grow tomatoes, you will probably need to focus on those only. Tomatoes can be hard to grow for a beginner because you need more patience.
Before you decide, be sure to research the growing zones in your area so you can narrow down your options. As you get the hang of it, you could save money by cooking homegrown vegetables from your garden! But if vegetables seem a little too complicated, try starting with an herb garden.
Herbs are a lot easier to grow, and you will still have the satisfaction of eating from your hand. Herb gardens can even be grown indoors. You could have fresh oregano for your pasta sauce an arm’s length away. Pasta tastes a lot better with fresh homegrown herbs!
Location is Everything
You don’t need a lot of space for any particular garden. But keep in mind that you need enough room to have a few inches of space between each plant so they can breathe. Yes, plants breathe! If you choose to start with an in-ground garden, it would be a lot more work to change the location than it would for a potted garden. A few things to keep in mind when choosing a location are:
- Choose a space with access to plenty of sunlight
- Choose a location close to a good water source
- Choose an area away from competing plants
If you start a potted garden, you’ll have more portability if you choose the wrong location. Make sure you do a little planning if you want to plant an in-ground or raised garden bed. These require a little more work, and you want to avoid starting over because the location is wrong. Remember to think about necessary resources before you pick a space.
Good Soil is Important
Plants are living things and require nutrients. Plants get their nutrients through their roots. The roots of most plants will be underground, surrounded by soil. The condition of the soil is very important for this reason. In humans, nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream through blood vessels.
Plant roots are similar to the blood vessels as they allow nutrients from the soil to be absorbed by the plant. You should make sure to plant in good soil. How do you know if you have good soil? Good soil will have a neutral or mildly acidic pH (around 6 or 7) and plenty of nutrients.
Don’t Over Water
Overwatering is a common fear for new gardeners. Thankfully, there are ways to tell if you are overwatering. Remember that your outdoor garden will also be watered by rainfall. You can tell if more water is needed by paying attention to your plants. Touch the soil every day to test its moisture level before you water it. If the surface of the soil is already wet, don’t add more water. But you don’t want to let it get too dry either, as this could mean your plants are thirsty.
The leaves of the plants will also feel dry if they need more water. They will often get droopy and change color if you give them too much water. Most of a plant’s weight is water, so watering your garden appropriately is important. It might be frustrating at first, but once you learn your plants, you’ll set a watering schedule. You can also purchase a moisture meter if you need help.
Purchase the Right Gardening Tools
You don’t have to purchase a bunch of fancy gardening tools. You just need the basics to get started. You can start with a rake, hoe, shovel, gloves, and a gardening watering system. You should also consider a hat and sunscreen if you’re gardening in direct sunlight during the summer months.
Final Thoughts
A garden can be fun and therapeutic. There’s a variety of garden types to choose from. You can grow vegetables, fruit, or herbs. You can also choose a potted, in-ground, or raised bed garden. Once you decide to grow vegetables or plants, make sure you plan in advance.
You’ll need to know what you want to grow and what grows best in your area. You will also need to choose the right location, consider soil conditions, and purchase a few handy gardening tools. Once you get started and harvest your first crop, you’ll gladly reap the benefits of your labor.