Starting a garden can be a fun and rewarding hobby. Gardens also enhance your environment, attract birds and give you a great reason to spend time outdoors. If you choose a vegetable garden, you can enjoy fresh vegetables from summer to fall.
One great thing about gardening as a hobby is that you can start as small or big as you like. If you are just starting out, you can start with easy to grow plants like tomatoes, cilantro, basil, lettuce or on the flowering side, flowers like zinnias and marigolds.
Here are a some steps to get started:
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- LOCATION, Location, Location: Choose a spot for your garden that receives enough sunlight and has good soil drainage. Consider your water source. If you need to water the garden, a water source should be in reach to the spot you choose. The size of the garden should also be considered in conjunction with the plants you want to grow. You should consider the full size potential of the plants you want to grow when choosing the location and size of the garden. Will you have a raised garden or in ground? Here’s a great Youtube video on how to prepare the garden space.
2. CHOOSE THE TYPE OF GARDEN: Herbs, Vegetable or Flowers. When you choose your type of garden you will need to decide what to plant. Consider the time of year, if you are starting out in late June, you will probably want to consider purchasing plants from your local nursery versus starting plants from seed. If you purchase seeds or plants online, check which zones the plant grows in. You can also plant flower bulbs but check when the plant usually blooms. One tip for bulbs is to plant them in October/ autumn and when spring comes around, these bulbs are fully acclimated to their location and begin to grow on their own.
3. PREPARE: Prepare the soil: Remove any weeds, rocks or debris from the area you have chosen. Loosen the soil with a garden fork or tiller and add compost or manure to improve the soil quality. Continue to remove weeds after your plant as weeds will take over the space and use up nutrients your plants need to grow.
4. PLAN & PLANT: Follow the instructions on the seed packets or starter plants. Plant seeds at the recommended depth and spacing, and water them well. Consider the direction of the sun so taller plants do not block the sun from smaller plants. Depending on the depth of your garden, consider a path for access to the vegetables for harvest. Also consider ladders for plants that climb. Changing their growth pattern may cause issues if done later in the growing season. Tomatoes are an easy vegetable to grow. Prepare tomato cages for larger tomato varieties.
5. MAINTAIN: Water your plants regularly and fertilize them with appropriate fertilizer. Weed your garden often to prevent competition for nutrients and sunlight. Remove any dead or deteriorating leaves, check for insects.
6. HARVEST: Harvest your vegetables: As your plants grow, you’ll start to see the fruits of your labor. Enjoy the fresh produce from your garden and share it with your friends and family.
7. ENJOY!
Starting a garden takes patience and dedication. But with a little effort, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful and thriving garden.
