Gardening Tips and Tricks

Gardening is not just a hobby, but a great way to sustain a healthy relationship with food, provide for your family and awesome exercise.  

But it does take work, effort and a willingness to try something new.  Gardening is really just one big experiment.

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Today we'll walk you through how to start a garden and give you some gardening tips to help you have a successful garden.

What is Gardening and What are the Benefits

Ah, gardening. The age-old practice of growing things in the ground for fun and profit. But what, exactly, is gardening? And what are the benefits of this noble pastime?

Simply put, gardening is the art and science of growing plants. It can be done for pleasure, for food, or for profit. And it has a plethora of benefits that make it well worth the effort. First and foremost, gardening is good for your health. Studies have shown that time spent in nature can lower stress levels, improve mental health, and even reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. 

Gardening is also great exercise, providing a low-impact way to get the heart pumping and the muscles moving. Beyond that, gardening can beautify your home and community, provide fresh fruits and vegetables, and even help to fight climate change by sequestering carbon in the soil.

In short, gardening is a worthwhile pursuit for anyone who wants to enjoy a healthier, happier life. So get out there and start growing!

How to Start a Garden

For those of us with a green thumb, the COVID-19 pandemic has been the perfect opportunity to start a garden. Whether you have a lot of space or just a small balcony, there are many ways to get started. If you're feeling ambitious, you can start from scratch by preparing the soil and planting seeds. 

For those who want instant gratification, you can buy seedlings or mature plants. Either way, you'll need to make sure your plants have enough light and water. 

Gardening Tips for Beginners

Are you thinking about starting a garden but don't know where to begin? You're in luck - there are plenty of resources available to help you get started. And once you've mastered the basics, you can experiment with all sorts of different plants and gardening techniques. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Start with a plan

Any seasoned gardener will tell you that starting with a plan is the key to success. After all, what good is it to spend hours laboring over your garden only to end up with a haphazard collection of mismatched plants? 

By taking the time to map out your garden in advance, you can ensure that you'll have all the right ingredients for a beautiful and cohesive design. Plus, it's always helpful to know exactly where you'll be planting each plant so that you can avoid any costly mistakes. So before you pick up your first seedling, be sure to take a moment to plan out your garden. It's the best way to ensure bountiful results.

Know Your Climate and Soil Type

When it comes to gardening, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Depending on your climate and soil type, certain plants will thrive while others quickly wilt and die. That's why it's important to do your research before heading to the nursery. If you're not sure what to look for, a helpful staff member at your local garden center can point you in the right direction. 

Once you've selected the perfect plants for your garden, it's important to give them the care they need to flourish. Make sure to water regularly and fertilize according to the instructions on the label. With a little effort, you can create a beautiful garden that's tailored to your specific needs.

Buy the Necessary Supplies 

Before you can start your garden, you need to make sure you have all the necessary supplies. This includes soil, seeds or plants, and gardening tools. Thankfully, there are many places where you can purchase these items. 

For soil, you can either buy it from a garden center or make your own compost. As for plants, you can either grow them from seed or buy them as seedlings. 

If you're going to be using gardening tools, it's important to get ones that are durable and easy to use. With all the necessary supplies in hand, you're now ready to start your garden!

Amend Soil

If you want your plants to be healthy and happy, you need to make sure you have good quality soil. This means soil that is rich in nutrients and able to drain well. If your soil is lacking in either of these department, your plants will suffer. 

Luckily, it is relatively easy to amend your soil so that it becomes more fertile and drains better. One way to do this is to add compost, manure, or other organic matter to the soil. This will help increase its fertility and improve drainage. 

In addition, it is important to make sure you are regularly turning over the soil so that air can reach the roots of your plants. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your plants have the best chance possible of thriving.

Water Regularly

As any gardener knows, when the weather heats up, so does the need to water your plants. Whether you're dealing with a few potted plants on your balcony or a full-fledged garden, making sure your plants get enough water is essential. 

However, watering can be a bit of a balancing act. Water your plants too little and they'll wilt and succumb to heat stress. Water them too much and you risk drowning them. 

So how can you tell when it's time to break out the hose? A good rule of thumb is to water early in the morning or late in the evening, when the sun isn't at its strongest. This will help minimize evaporation and ensure that your plants get the hydration they need without suffering from heat damage. 

Tend to Garden

A garden is like a pet: it needs regular attention and care in order to stay healthy and thrive. However, unlike a pet, a garden will not run away if you neglect it. Instead, it will simply wither and die. This is why it is important to tend to your garden on a regular basis. 

Watering, weeding, and pruning are all essential tasks that should be performed on a weekly basis. Taking the time to tend to your garden will result in a bounty of fresh fruits or vegetables come harvest time. 

Fertilize 

As any gardener knows, plants need nutrients to grow. Just like people, they need a balanced diet to stay healthy and thrive. One way to add nutrients to your gardens is to compost to your soil. 

Compost is rich in nutrients and helps to improve drainage and aeration. It also provides a slow release of nutrients, which means that your plants will have a constant supply of food throughout the growing season. 

Another way to fertilize your plants is to use mulch. Mulch helps to suppress weed growth, retain moisture, and protect against extreme temperatures. It also add nutrients to the soil as it breaks down over time. 

Weed Often

Anyone who has ever attempted to grow a garden knows that weeds can be a big problem. They compete with your plants for nutrients, water, and sunlight, and can quickly take over if left unchecked. That's why it's important to weed often, especially in the early stages of plant growth. 

By removing weeds on a regular basis, you can keep your garden looking neat and tidy, and give your plants the best chance to thrive. Just be sure to wear gloves and long sleeves to protect yourself from the inevitable scratches and stings. .

Starting a garden doesn't have to be stressful.  Just start somewhere.  Even planting in a pot or container is a start to your gardening journey.  Simply try and see what works for you.