Are you new to the whole gardening business? Every beginning is difficult and when you’re entering a completely new field, every little thing helps. Gardening sounds easy enough but there’s a lot to keep in mind. This is why we have taken it upon ourselves to come up with a list of ten gardening tips that will help you get started.
1. Pick the spot
Ideally, your garden will be getting plenty of sun, so if you have a sunny side of the yard, opt to establish your garden there. This is because the majority of vegetables should get at least six hours of sun a day, and most flowers are no different. Of course, lettuce, spinach, and other greens won’t mind a bit of shade, but it’s best to be on the safe side, especially if you’re hoping to grow tomatoes.
2. Get more space
If you don’t have enough space, don’t get discouraged. You can always use raised containers or garden beds to grow your plants. Even if the soil in your yard is solid clay or has a lot of rocks, you can still build raised beds. These beds can be filled with good soil of your choice, and growing flowers and veggies in containers is another option you could consider.
3. Prep the soil
A beautiful garden is built on good soil, so make sure you do the proper preparations before you plant anything. All plants depend heavily on the soil for nutrients and drainage. If you’re hoping to grow things successfully, make sure your soil is well drained, start with sandy loam, and as time passes, add as much organic matter as possible.
4. Keep the plants hydrated
Of course even the best soil is useless unless it’s watered regularly. Because water has to be readily available and easily accessible, consider getting retractable hose reels from Hoselink US. You don’t want to carry a full bucket dozens of times and hurt your back. You could also consider buying a quality drip irrigation system, especially if heat waves are common where you live.
5. Provide the ‘food’
Even the best soil should be amended before you start gardening. You need to provide compost, leaf mold, or even some well-aged manure. This will significantly increase the quality of your soil, resulting in better drainage and improved ability to hold in moisture. Make sure to never use fresh manure, though because it can be full of dangerous pathogens.
6. Protect the plants
While they might not seem harmful to you, weeds can impede the growth as well as success of your plants. Certain weeds even attract pests and can be the cause of a disease in vegetables and herbs. By weeding your garden regularly, you will ensure that your plants are well protected and prevent some more serious pest infestation problems.
7. Create a special calendar
To stay on top of your gardening tasks and harvest dates, you need to remember when you planted your herbs, veggies, and flowers. A gardening calendar is a great way to monitor the growth of your plants and if you have one, you will not forget harvest and weeding times. You don’t have to buy a new one, old paper bags will do the trick as you’ll need it for only five months.
8. Study different techniques
Plants need plenty of food and water, just like us. Watering them by hand (using a watering can or a hose) is fine, and you should make sure the area is saturated enough. You’ll know you’ve done a good job when the water begins to pool, and to make sure it’s enough, try sticking your finger about an inch into the soil to check whether it’s wet. Mulch your garden (or your raised beds) since mulch helps retain moisture, and use a balanced organic fertilizer to feed your plants.
9. Be patient
We understand that you’d like to harvest everything the moment you notice the first fruits, but with gardening, patience is the key. In order to get a beautiful and plentiful harvest, you have to wait for the fruits to grow.
10. Start slow
It might be tempting to plant dozens of different veggies and flowers, but if you’re just getting started, plant only the things you and your family like to eat and use in the kitchen. There’s no point in spending time, energy, or money to grow things that will go to waste.
Our list of hints and tips is full of useful information to get you started, but remember that theory is only going to get you so far. If you’re really hoping to make progress and become an experienced gardener, you have to get your hands dirty. After all, learning from experience is the best way to prosper.
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Andrew Parker