Written By: Tahreem
Edited By: Jiya. M
Designed By: Tvisha Lakhani
Published By: Miriam Alonge Wato
If you want to start your own garden, you’ll need to think about a few things, such as the type of garden, the right tools for the job, which plants to buy for your specific climate, and so on.
In this post, I’ll walk you through some of the fundamentals of gardening for beginners. This way, you’ll have the gardening tips and skills (and newly acquired eco-friendly grasp) to confidently grow and care for your plants and vegetables at home.
Step 1: Choose the Best Location for Your Garden
Choosing the best location for your garden is all about ensuring that your plants receive enough sunlight to thrive. Most vegetables and plants require at least six hours of sunlight to grow properly, so choose a sunny location if you intend to grow a vegetable garden.
Next, your garden should be located in an area where you will be able to enjoy it. A front walkway garden can be enjoyed every day and adds curb appeal. A backyard garden on the other hand, may be more private. Whatever you decide, locating your garden in a spot where you’ll see it every day can help keep you motivated to garden more.
Step 2: Plan Your Garden:
After deciding on the ideal location for your garden, the next big step is determining how to plan a garden. When planning your garden, there are a few general themes to consider.
First, decide whether you want a vegetable garden,a flower garden or plant garden. Then decide on the type of garden you want, whether it’s a container garden or a fancy raised garden bed. After that, you’ll need to decide which plants or vegetables you want to grow. When it comes to gardening, it’s always better to think big and start small. You can always add more later!
Another thing to think about is whether you would like to plant annuals or perennials. Annual plants typically have a single growing season, so perennial plants may be preferable if you’re looking for longevity. Perennials can be grown during multiple seasons because the above-ground parts die off during the winter and then re-bloom in the spring.
Choose colors that complement each other and your existing outdoor décor if your garden is made up of flowers and plants. Consider creating a pollinator garden to attract friendly bees and butterflies!
Step 3: Learn About Your Plants
Whatever plants you choose, getting to know them well is essential for keeping them healthy and thriving.
When selecting plants, check the plant tag to see how much sunlight and food they will require, as well as the proper spacing for planting them. This may influence your decision on the size of your garden. If you’re unsure, ask a garden center associate for assistance.
When buying a plant, keep the following points in mind:
- Whether it needs full sun, partial shade, or complete shade.
- Whether it needs to be watered frequently or is drought tolerant.
- The bloom period.
- The plant’s full-grown height and width, so you know where and how far apart to plant your seeds.
- The plant’s cold tolerance.
- Make sure to carefully follow these instructions to keep your plants healthy
Step 4: Choosing the Best Gardening Tools
What factors should you consider when selecting gardening tools? A beginner in gardening should start with the basics and then purchase tools as needed. Begin with a pair of gardening gloves to protect your hands from dirt and debris. They also provide additional protection if you are working with thorny or prickly flowers or shrubs.
A shovel, rake, or spading fork is an excellent tool for digging and breaking up dirt and clay. Long-handled digging tools provide more leverage, while short-handled tools provide more control but may be harder on your back.
Trimming shears are essential for keeping your plants neat and trim. Also, buying a watering can or a nozzle with varying settings for your hose ensures that you can water your plants without damaging them with high water pressure.
Step 5: Prepare the Soil
You’ve decided on the type, size, and plants for your garden. The next step is to start putting everything together. Remember that the quality of your plants is determined by the composition of your soil.
To get your soil ready for planting, enrich it by combining a fertilizer in a half-and-half mixture with your existing garden soil. This will improve the soil quality and help your plants grow strong and healthy by adding essential nutrients.
Step 6: Plant a Garden
The process is the same whether you’re starting from seeds or transferring flowering plants into your garden. Tall plants should be placed in the back, medium height plants in the middle, and low and/or spreading plants in the front. For proper spacing requirements, consult your plant tags. The plants are arranged in this manner so that they can receive the necessary sunlight and exposure while also providing a variety of colors and height.
Make a hole twice the size of the root ball in the soil. Then, remove the seedling from its pot and gently separate the soil and root ball before placing it in the hole. Cover the soil around the stem to the same height it was in its pot. Gently pack soil around the plant’s base.
Apply plant food to your garden and give your plants a thorough watering right after planting to reduce the risk of transplant shock and promote strong roots. This will aid in nutrient absorption and ensure that your garden gets off to a good start.
Step 7: Taking Care of Your New Garden
Water is the source of life in your garden, so make sure to water plants thoroughly and deeply. The best way to tell if your plants need water is to dig your finger 2 inches into the soil. Water should be applied to dry soil. Different plants require different amounts of water, so read the plant tag or consult a garden center associate if you’re unsure how much to use. Take care not to overwater container plants. Containers should be dry to the touch and not sit in water between waterings.
Step 8: Keep an eye out for pests and insects.
Insects can cause significant damage in a matter of days, so inspect your plants on a regular basis for insects that may prey on your garden.
When looking for insects, check the tops and bottoms of the leaves as well as the ground around the plant. Slugs and snails prefer dense growth, such as hostas and ivy, because they require moist conditions. Slug and snail control products are available.
Aphids, such as greenflies and blackflies, sucking sap from plants, distort or stunt their growth, and carry many plant diseases. An insecticidal soap, such as Scotts® EcoSense® Bug B Gon® Insecticidal Soap, can be used to control aphids.
earwigs, beetles, weevils, caterpillars, and other insects.
Insecticidal soap kills insects on contact, so cover all sides of the leaves with it. Reapply every two weeks until the problem is resolved.
Now you have most of the information and knowledge you need to start your very own garden. So why not get out there and give it a shot! Start gardening once you’ve mastered the fundamentals and see what kinds of challenges arise.
Sources:
- https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/ideas-how-to/outdoors/lawn-garden/gardening-basics.html
- https://miraclegro.com/en-ca/landscaping-planning/10-top-gardening-tips-for-beginners.html
- https://growinginthegarden.com/gardening-for-beginners-how-to-start-a-garden-in-8-simple-steps/
- https://commonsensehome.com/start-a-garden/
- https://www.canadianliving.com/home-and-garden/gardening/feature/ultimate-guide-to-gardening-for-beginners