Planting a garden is one of the most rewarding things you can do. Whether you are planting fragrant florals or some vegetables, everyone can benefit from some greenery. However, if you are new to gardening, it can be difficult to know where to start. Still, it doesn't have to be complicated. Just break your project down into small manageable steps and you will see the rewards of your labor with beautiful views and bursts of flavor. These 4 tips will help you get started growing a fantastic paradise of color and taste.
1. All Plants Have Different Needs
As a beginner in gardening, you may be tempted to treat your plants the same way, or even keep different species in the same pot. While many species may have similar needs, it is not wise to randomly throw your plants together in the same container. You might group plants that love direct sunlight with those who enjoy the shade. This would be detrimental to your garden.
There is, however, an agricultural technique called companion planting. Companion planting is the process of grouping plants together with the goal of the plants benefiting each other. An example of two plants that thrive in each other's presence is tomato plants and basil. The basil's aromatic scent can help repel insects that are known to attack tomatoes, such as whiteflies or tomato hornworms. In addition, the basil plants might actually be able to make your tomatoes taste better by making them more sweet. On the other hand, tomato plants give shade to the basil, which can be beneficial in hot and sunny environments
2. Location, Location, Location!
Location is an incredibly important part of a plant's health. The location of a plant determines the amount of sunlight a plant receives. Light is a critical factor for a plant's health. Too much light might burn the plant. Too little light might prevent the plant from photosynthesizing.
Many plants love full sun, such as tomatoes and peppers. They live for it (literally)! Other plants, like leafy greens, will do excellent in shade. In fact, if you keep them in shade for the hotter parts of summer, they will cool down and perform fantastically. That being said, this all depends on the variety of your plant and your climate, so do your research!
3. Start Small
It may be tempting to go all out and buy as many plants as you can find. This is never a good idea for a first year gardener. I would recommend to start small and to grow easy plants, to build up your confidence. It's always better to start out small and grow your way up then to start big and lose your motivation!
I would always recommend tomatoes, lettuce, potatoes and culinary herbs to start with. These plants are easy to grow, taste delicious and have a variety of uses. Remember to always do your research on your climate and what type of plant you want to grow.
4. Fertility and Soil Matter
Possibly one of the most overlooked aspects of gardening is what soil you're using. Soil is an incredibly important part of gardening. Depending on what plant you have, the soil needed will be different. Many plants love well draining soil while others love sandy and chalky soil. As I have mentioned before, you should always do your research before you decide almost anything in the garden
Another extremely important factor in growing a plant is fertility. Soil and fertility go hand and hand because your plant gets its nutrients from the soil! To fertilize your plants, I would recommend something organic such as eggshells for calcium carbonate, or some compost for a good blend of nutrients and organic matter. As a home gardener, I will always choose something organic over chemical fertilizers.
Conclusion
Starting a garden can be tricky, but with these 4 tips, it can be a breeze. I hope you learned something while reading this article. If you learned anything today, it is to research as much as you possibly can. I wish you the best of luck with your crop this year, fellow gardeners.
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