As more and more people become interested in sustainable living and the benefits of homegrown produce, gardening has become an increasingly popular hobby. However, if you've never gardened before, it can be intimidating to know where to start. As someone who loves to garden, I’ve got some tips for starting your first garden and getting your hands dirty.
Choose the right plants for your region
One of the most important things to consider when starting a garden is choosing the right plants for your climate and region. Different plants thrive in different conditions, so it's important to do some research to find out which plants are best suited to your area. You can start by checking your hardiness zone, which will give you an idea of which plants are most likely to survive in your region. Your local nursery or garden center can also offer advice on which plants are best for your area. (If it helps, our zone is 5b)
Prepare the soil
Before you can start planting, you'll need to prepare the soil if you plan to garden in-ground, and not with raised beds. This involves removing any weeds or debris and tilling the soil to make it loose and crumbly. You may also want to add some compost or other organic matter to improve the soil's fertility. This can help ensure that your plants have the nutrients they need to thrive. If you’re using a raised bed, I’d still consider adding some compost to the bottom of your beds to reduce the amount of dirt you have to buy (whoever came up with the term ‘dirt cheap’-UM what a liar!) but you don’t have to.
Start small
If you're new to gardening, it's a good idea to start small. You don't need a large plot of land to get started – even a small raised bed or container garden can be a great way to dip your toes in the water. Starting small can also help you avoid getting overwhelmed with too many plants to care for at once. Lots of places like Home Depot, Lowes, and Menards have “City Picker” boxes-small, plastic garden beds on wheels for about $30. It’s nice because as you’re learning about gardening, and your backyard, you can move the bed as needed. And if you don’t like gardening at the end of it all? The bed was cheap!
Consider your watering needs
Different plants have different watering needs, so it's important to consider this when planning your garden. Some plants, such as tomatoes, need consistent watering to thrive, while others, such as succulents, can go longer periods without water. You'll also want to make sure that your garden has adequate drainage to prevent water from pooling and causing root rot.
Get the right tools
To make gardening easier and more enjoyable, it's important to have the right tools. This can include basic tools such as a hoe, shovel, and trowel, as well as specialized tools such as a watering can or pruning shears. You don't need to spend a lot of money on expensive equipment, but investing in a few good-quality tools can make a big difference.
Be patient
Finally, it's important to remember that gardening takes time and patience. It may take several weeks or even months before you start to see results, so don't get discouraged if your plants don't grow as quickly as you'd like. Gardening is a learning process, and the more you do it, the better you'll become.
Starting your first garden can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it can also be a bit daunting if you've never gardened before. By choosing the right plants for your region, preparing the soil, starting small, considering your watering needs, getting the right tools, and being patient, you can set yourself up for gardening success. With a little bit of time and effort, you may be surprised at just how much you can grow!