You have probably heard from some of your friends or family members that they have recently taken up gardening. Since COVID-19 has forced many people to be cooped up at home with nothing much to do, many have decided to take up different hobbies like cooking or gardening. Gardening has so many benefits like reducing stress, anxiety, and depression since it keeps you busy and focused. Additionally, watching something grow can help boost your mood as well. It is also a great activity that you can enjoy with your family and loved ones and can help strengthen your bond. If you want to take up gardening then keep reading for helpful tips on how to start a garden the right way.
Location
The first thing that you should consider before planting your garden is the location. Most plants and vegetables need over six hours of sunlight every day. In order to find the best location for your new garden, you should keep an eye on your yard for a day to see which parts of it get the most sun and which parts don’t. Even if your yard doesn’t get much sunlight, that doesn’t have to end your gardening dreams. There are still plants that can grow and thrive in the shade just fine. Make sure you find out just how much sun each plant you are buying needs. Additionally, it isn’t recommended that you plant your garden on a slope because it will cost you more money and time than a flat spot.
Choose the Plant You Want to Grow
After you decide on a location for your new garden, you now have to ask yourself, what type of garden do you want? There are different types to choose from like a flower garden, a vegetable garden, and an herb garden. There is no right or wrong choice here, it is all about your personal preference and what kind of plants you and your family want to grow. That being said, according to the gardening specialists at www.urbanorganicyield.com, if you are a beginner then you should keep things simple until you learn everything you need – then you can expand. Simply put, consider your needs but keep things small for now. For instance, if you want to eat organic food then you should plant fruits or vegetables. On the other hand, if you want a colorful garden that smells nice then you can opt for a flower garden. Remember, don’t go overboard with plants, you are still a beginner.
Plan Planting Beds
Before you start planting, you should loosen the soil, and it is preferred to do that in new beds. This process will allow the roots to access the nutrients and water that they require to grow faster. You can loosen the soil either by digging with your hands or by using a device. If you are opting for small beds then it is recommended that you dig with your hands. Make sure that the soil is moist enough before digging, meaning that it isn’t too dry or too loose. This is because it is very hard to dig dry soil and digging wet soil can damage its structure,
Plant Your Garden
You can’t plant all of your seeds at the same time because not all plants can tolerate the same weather. For instance, tomatoes can’t tolerate the cold weather so it is best to plant them in mid-autumn or mid-spring. So, learn about what weather each plant needs or you may risk killing your garden. Since you are a beginner, you should first read the instructions on the seeds’ packaging to learn how to plant them and follow these instructions to avoid making any mistakes. Additionally, in order to protect your seeds from rotting, make sure to keep them moist.
Water Your Plants
Plants need water to survive so make sure to water your seedlings daily. However, as your plants grow you won’t have to water them every day. The frequency of watering will depend on the weather and the soil. How often does it rain? How humid is the weather? If you are using sandy soil then you will need to water it more often since it dries out quickly, unlike clay soil. These are all factors to consider. That being said, you can start with watering them once a week and see how it goes. Last but not least, always feel your soil and if it is dry then it needs watering. Make sure to water your garden slowly and deeply.
Gardening is a fun and relaxing activity that you can enjoy with your loved ones. Planting seeds and watching them grow can give you a sense of accomplishment that will surely impact your mental health. However, you need to figure out the basics first and understand what to plant, when, and how to maintain your garden. Once you have everything figured out, you can expand your garden. Follow all the steps here, and if you face any issues, Google is your best friend.
Speak Your Mind