By: Lydia Chan
Do you want to grow your own vegetables and fruits to prepare healthy dishes but don’t know where to start? Gardening can be a great hobby that will give you an opportunity to get outdoors, exercise, get creative with plants and flowers, eat fresh produce from the garden, and save money. Gardening also has a calming effect on people who do it as well. Gardening has been showing to reduce stress and provide a feeling of accomplishment!
The following guide (presented by mywisdreamfarm) can help you to start and sustain a garden, as well as teach you about the layout process, soil management, watering tips, and more.
Our Top 3 Gardening Tips for Beginners
Create the best space for your garden
In order to make sure that you have enough space for your garden, you will want to plan out where you are going to put the garden. Make sure that it is in an area where there is plenty of sun and not shaded by any buildings or trees. If you live in a climate that has cold winters, then south facing areas are best for getting the sun, warmth, and sunlight.
You can also bring in some heat by using artificial lighting during cold winter seasons. Another thing to keep in mind is that you want to be sure that your garden will not get flooded during the rainy season or if there is a lot of rain in general.
Consider hiring professionals for tips or to help you get started
If you are looking to garden and you don’t have much experience with it, then consider hiring a professional landscaper or gardener to help you get going. Most people do not know the correct way of doing things such as proper gardening design, irrigation systems, composting techniques and other aspects of gardening.
Tools like Angi offer a great selection and reviews of local professionals you can trust to make your vision a reality, from Angi tree removal specialists to landscapers. Make sure to take some time comparing estimates from several well-rated providers.
How to handle soil management
Soil management is essential in the success of your garden. If you have poor soil, then it can cause weak plants, reduce your yields and also cause complete crop failures. Here are a few key tips for tending to your soil:
- Turn the soil and add in organic nutrients, fertilizer, and compost so that your soil will be able to provide everything your plants will need.
- Check your soil every year to make sure the pH balance is right. Good pH levels are between 5.8 and 6.5, so you want to keep that in mind when feeding your plants or adding fertilizer to the soil. A balanced pH level will help promote proper nutrient uptake by the crops you plant, which will lead to healthier plants!
- Don’t over-water your garden.
Watering Tips
One of the most common problems for new gardeners is that they tend to over-water their plants. Here are a few helpful tips about watering your garden:
- The best time to water your plants is early in the morning.
- Don’t let your pots or garden containers sit in puddles of water.
- Water plants deeply by using a watering can with a rose or an irrigation system.
- Avoid over-watering by making sure that the soil is dry to 1-2 inches deep before you water again.
- Add organic matter to your garden – tree leaves, twigs, straw, and grass clippings!
Taking Care of a Garden Can Be Fun!
If you’re looking for a way to get outside, exercise, and eat fresh produce grown in your own garden, then gardening is the perfect hobby. If you would like some help getting started or maintaining your garden’s soil, we recommend hiring professionals. If not, you can get started with a good location, proper soil management, and careful watering. Hopefully, this article helps. Enjoy your garden!
Image via Pexels
