CubicFootGardening
Do you want to cultivate your fruits, veggies, and herbs but don’t know where to begin? It may be intimidating to grow a garden, especially for those of us who don’t think we have much of a green thumb. But don’t worry, this gardening instruction is intended for beginners.
The largest myth about gardening, according to master gardener Kathy Ging of Eugene, Oregon, who talked with EcoWatch, is that it costs too much money and takes too much time.
To begin with, you’ll need a little bit of each of these things, but gardening is a “priceless activity [that] enhances tranquility and personal, community homeostasis,” according to Ging. We’ll be sharing some of Ging’s professional advice throughout this post, so you won’t be able to stop licking your fingers anytime soon.
Starting a Garden Has Benefits for the Environment
Let’s briefly discuss the reasons you should start gardening before we discuss how to start one (other than producing your food, of course). There are several health and environmental advantages to gardening. Plants absorb a lot of dangerous chemicals, germs, and other materials that may be floating around in your garden.
You probably already know that plants take in carbon dioxide and generate oxygen.1 In addition to saving you money at the grocery store, growing your food lowers the carbon emissions that come with transporting it. In to offering important homes for wildlife, gardens also lessen pollution from agricultural runoff.
Choose the Ideal Site for Your Garden
A gardener’s fantasy would be a backyard with large garden beds and lots of sunlight, but it’s not necessary for a successful garden. Vegetables and herbs may be grown in cramped areas, such as on a windowsill or balcony.
Consider participating in a community garden if you don’t have a yard or a house that is conducive to growing. Sunlight is one item, nevertheless, on which you cannot compromise. In one way or another, almost every garden plant needs direct sunshine.
Fruits usually require five to six hours of direct sunshine to thrive, although many herbs and vegetables may tolerate some shade. If the majority of your garden space is shaded, you should think about using leafy greens.
Choose the Plants You Will Plant
Choosing what to grow is the next stage in planting a garden. You’ll need to be realistic about the size, climate, and kinds of plants that will grow well in your garden.
You may use the Plant Hardiness Zone Map provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to determine which plants are most likely to flourish where you live.
If you are growing food plants, choose ones that you and your family genuinely like to eat or cook with, or locate a market where you can sell or give what you raise. If not, you’ll have an abundant crop that is wasted. If you don’t have much room, think about vertical planting.
Get the garden area ready.
Whether you’re growing in your yard directly or in various containers, such as an elevated garden bed, you’ll need to prepare your soil and area to develop a garden successfully. Direct planting is not the ideal option if your soil is stony or clay-like, or if you lack the necessary area.
Ging stated that starting plants in pots is an excellent idea. Egg cartons are one type of food container that may be reused for this purpose. I’ve utilized tofu containers; they’re a little bit stronger and deeper than a lot of garden six-pack [containers],” Ging remarked. Make sure the food container has drainage holes in the bottom if you choose to use one that isn’t constructed of cardboard.
Invest in gardening supplies.
You will need soil, fertilizer, and seeds to start a garden, but additional equipment is also necessary for a successful and healthy garden.
The plants you’re planting as well as the size and scope of your garden will determine the gardening equipment you require. This is where we would advise getting started.
Tools for Gardening to Take Into Account:
Gloves: You should get a substantial, long-lasting pair that isn’t too big.
Shears for pruning: They are available in many different shapes and sizes, but for live plants, bypass pruners work best.
Garden fork: This large instrument resembles a fork and is used for turning compost and soil mounds.
Hand trowel: This compact hand tool works well for weeding as well as planting herbs and vegetables in pots.
Digging deeper holes is possible using a spade, which is particularly helpful in tougher terrain.
Rake: If you’re building your compost, you’ll need a regular leaf rake to collect waste and tidy up your garden space.
Hoe: A wide, robust hoe is probably what you’ll need for a food garden; hoes that are thinner and more delicate are better for flower gardens. For churning dirt, flat garden hoes work well.
Garden hose: A gardening hose with an adjustable nozzle for varying water pressure is what you’ll need to water your garden correctly.
Watering can: Practical in situations when a hose isn’t available, such as tiny indoor or balcony gardens.
Fencing: To prevent animals from nibbling on your garden (looking at you, bunnies), you might want to think about fencing your garden in.
Evaluate and Enhance Soil
Soil quality determines the quality of a garden. Make sure your grass is in good condition if you intend to plant a garden in your backyard. A soil analysis is a simple place to start.
You must determine whether the materials in your soil are rocks, silt, clay, or a mixture of these. Before planting, you should take care of any potential nutrient or soil pollution. The majority of garden plants thrive in neutral soil, which has a pH of about 7.
Unbelievably, there are many environmentally conscious lawn care providers, such as Sunday Lawn Care, that will test your soil and offer advice on how to properly enhance it.
Give your plants regular food.
As we’ve already said, having excellent soil is crucial, but it functions best when your plants receive regular doses of high-quality fertilizer. Put another way, excellent soil combined with quality plant food equals a successful garden. Plant food such as Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food should be added to your garden a month after planting. Make careful you adhere to label instructions.
