Best Gardening Tips and Tricks For Beginners

When planning to plant a garden, there are some basic tips that will help you grow the best crops possible. Make sure the soil is properly drained and avoid planting in areas where water might collect. You should also consider using raised beds or containers to keep your plants off the ground and away from strong winds or foot traffic. Even the most unlikely places can become a successful growing space for your plants. Listed below are some garden tips for beginners:

When planting a garden, test the soil first. Some plants thrive in colder climates, so be sure to test it thoroughly before planting. Lastly, cultivate the soil in the spring, when the ground is ready. Tilling restores nutrients and prevents weeds from growing. In addition to cultivating the soil, it is also essential to regularly pick produce. Even a five to ten minute per day can make a huge difference.

If you can, stake your plants and prevent small animals from destroying them. Most plants can be brought indoors, so you can extend their season of growth. While bringing them indoors is an option, consider protecting them from mother nature and from pests. Another tip for protecting your plants is to use rainwater. This is more beneficial than hose water, as rainwater has higher nitrogen content than hose water. Invest in a rain barrel or a garden hose to catch rainwater.

Finally, try to reuse containers. Recycled pots and cans can be used for potting plants. Old containers can add to the soil’s drainage. The added air pockets help create a healthier growing environment for plants. One more great tip for growing food in containers is to put old cans in your garden. This can help improve air pockets in the soil, making it more fertile. Soil is not only healthy, but it is also fun to plant.

Before planting, make sure to plan out your garden and choose plants appropriate for your climate. It can be challenging to know which plants grow best in your climate, but there are some plants that are drought-resistant, tolerant of soggy soil, or that need more water. You can even use a tool like My Plantfinder to find the perfect plants. Know the direction of the sun and when to plant. If you do not know, try to plan your garden around these factors.

Lastly, make sure your garden gets adequate sunlight. Most vegetables require at least six hours of sun per day. Some varieties can survive in partial shade, but most of them will require six or more hours of sunlight to thrive. For vegetable gardening, you can opt for a partially-sunny location, but most fruits and vegetables need at least six hours of sunlight a day. If you do not have the time or the money to devote to cultivating your garden, you should invest in a grow bag or raised bed instead.

One of the most common mistakes for new gardeners is over or under-watering their plants. To avoid over-watering, poke your finger into the soil to test the moisture level. If the soil is dry, it is time to water, whereas if the soil is wet, it will need a little more time. Practice a little, and you’ll be surprised how much better your plants will grow as a result!