Get Into Gardening with These Easy Steps
by Dionne Voughar
When you were a kid, there was nothing better than running around outside, with the wind in your hair and the earth under your bare feet. Now that you’ve grown, you might be surprised to find that the feeling is exactly the same. If you haven’t tried gardening, it’s time to roll up your sleeves, and pant legs, and get reacquainted with the great outdoors.
If you are just starting to get into gardening, it’s best to start small. A tidy plant bed of 25 to 30 square feet is best, with room for about 30 plants. This will give you a chance to exercise your green thumb without facing a huge project that leaves you feeling overwhelmed. If, after your first season, you realize that you really love gardening, you can always increase your garden size and your plantings next year.
Choosing a good planting site is crucial. Where you live will be the biggest determining factor, but preferably you can plant in a spot that gets at least six hours of good light each day. Roots of large trees should be avoided, as they can steal your plants’ nutrients and water. And try to keep your garden three feet or more away from any buildings or fences.
Choose a place that gets shaded from the hot afternoon sun, especially if you live in a hot climactic zone. A good garden will grow with variable light, but you may have to tailor the plants you choose, depending on the light level. Pick a spot with good soil, although keep in mind that you can improve soil later. Don’t plant in rocky soil, or a spot with really steep slopes or poor drainage.
Okay, the location is set; now it is time for the fun to start, so let’s dig in the dirt! When you really get into gardening, you will realize that it is not a clean hobby, so you will get some dirt under your nails. To begin, remove any grass, weeds, debris, and rocks from your new garden area. Next, use a pitchfork or spade to dig down about a foot deep, and mix minerals or compost in if the soil needs it. If the soil is sandy, add some peat moss, and if it is acidic, add some lime. If you feel it necessary to add fertilizer, use only organic, non-toxic fertilizers.
Now that your garden bed is ready, it is time for the big planting. You’ll have to choose between starting from seeds or from small plants. Starting with plants allows you to visualize the final garden more clearly, perhaps. If you go that route, choose plants with green leaves and stems, and healthy roots. Don’t buy plants with very long stalks, or plants with leaves that are yellowed.
Be careful where you plant each plant or seed. Consider placing larger plants at the back of the plot, with smaller ones in the front. And check the weather forecast before you plant. If the last risk of frost is gone, then it is safe even for the more tender plants. If using seeds, check the seed package, which will have instructions on planting and growing.
For plants to grow strong and healthy, you need to give them regular love and care. The main thing is watering in the right proportions and times. If you have plants in containers, or on a patio, you can water with can and fill it from a tap. But if you have a larger garden, you will have to use a hose to get the quantity of water necessary for healthy growth. When you water, soak the roots. Don’t merely spray a light coating on the surface of the plants and ground.
Watering is most effective early in the morning when the temperature is still cool. Watering during the hot afternoon sun is a waste of money, as the moisture evaporates before it reaches the root systems. Watering in the late afternoon or evening can cause moisture to stay on your plants all night, creating mildew and disease. Knowing how often to water depends entirely on the types of plants you’ve chosen. Most require about an inch a week. During hot spells, your plants should be watered three times a week.
You can naturally control weeds using mulch or compost. Several inches of organic mulch in the soil will aid fertility, moisture control, and will result in cooler roots. Mulch can be made of leaves, manure, wood chips, grass clippings, or even pine needles.
Now that you are going to get into gardening, no doubt you will wonder what took you so long! You will discover the joy of harvesting your own vegetables and flowers, with the great taste and beauty they bring to your life. And you’ll feel like a kid again, with the wind in your face and the soil in your hands.
Author Dionne Voughar writes for some of today’s hottest online magazines, on fishing sports recreation and family portrait subjects.
