Gardening is a hobby enjoyed by millions around the world. Whether you enjoy gardening for pleasure or just love growing things, here are some tips for beginners to make sure your garden stays beautiful all season long.
1. Start small
If you have never gardened before, start off with something simple. A few herbs, some flowers, maybe even a fruit tree. You don't need much space at first, just enough room to get started. Once you've got the hang of things, you can expand your garden.
2. Grow Your Own Food
Grow your own food! You don't have to live off of fast foods and processed junk food. If you want to eat healthier, start gardening. Not only does it help save money, but it's also good for you. Growing your own food gives you control over what goes into your body. You can choose fresh produce instead of pre-packaged snacks and meals. Also, if you're lucky enough to have access to land, then you'll get to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetable year-round.
3. Grow what you love
Don't try to force yourself to grow vegetables you don't enjoy eating. If you hate broccoli, don't grow it. Instead, choose veggies you really want to eat. That way, you'll find them easier to grow.
4. Use Mulch
Mulch is great at keeping weeds down and protecting your garden beds. It keeps moisture levels high and helps retain warmth in cold weather. There are many different types of mulches out there, including wood chips, bark, straw, grass clippings, hay, composted manure, etc. Make sure you use something that won't burn or rot.
5. Start Seeds Indoors
Starting seeds indoors is much easier than starting them outside. You can easily keep track of how they're doing and make adjustments accordingly. Plus, you can buy seedlings online and avoid having to spend time and money buying seeds.
6. Get Creative
You don't need to stick to traditional flower pots. Try using old tires, milk jugs, buckets, even soda bottles. Anything that holds water can work as a planter. Just remember to add drainage holes before filling with dirt.
7. Compost
Composting is a great way to recycle kitchen scraps and yard trimmings. It not only saves space, but it also makes your garden look beautiful. All you need to do is put your materials in a pile, cover them with a tarp, and let nature take its course. Once you've finished composting, just spread it around your garden.
8. Water Wisely
Watering is important for any type of garden, whether it's flowers, veggies, or fruit trees. But, watering wisely means knowing exactly when to water and where to place your sprinklers. Too much water can lead to root rot, while too little water can cause stunted growth. When planting your garden, try placing sprinkler heads near the base of each plant.
9. Don't Overfeed
Overfeeding your plants can lead to poor growth and disease. Instead, give your plants the right amount of nutrition they need. A general rule of thumb is 1 inch per week for annuals and 2 inches per week for perennials.
10. Be patient
Gardening takes time. Don't expect results right away. Just because you planted seeds doesn't mean you're going to harvest anything. Give your plants plenty of time to grow.
11. Have fun!
It's not always about hard work. Sometimes it's nice to sit back and relax while enjoying nature. Take advantage of your surroundings and take a break now and then.
12. Enjoy the fruits of your labor
Once you've grown your own food, you know exactly where it comes from. You'll appreciate the taste and nutrition more than if you bought it somewhere else.
Next step
Gardener services
Landscaping services
Online nursery
Organic pesticides and fertilizers
Extra reading
Herbs that you can grow at home
Happy Gardening!
Dr. Vandana, Co-Founder, UrbanMali.com