Are you a new gardener, not sure where to start with your plot not sure what to grow? Check out our top tips below for new gardeners to help you get started.
1. Start small
Whether you have a small garden or a large garden. Start small by choosing a small area to work on at a time. Perhaps you can build one raised bed and get that going, or focus on one area of the garden to develop a nice perennial or herbaceous flower bed. Below are some suggestions on choosing a space..
- Start with the most visible area in the garden.
- Choose the area that you walk through the most, but has the most traffic and you will get the most enjoyment out of. This way you will feel motivated to continue with gardening.
- Start with an area that you can get done in a smaller amount of time or with a lower budget so that you don’t get overwhelmed in the beginning.
2. Take time to measure and plan out your space.
For detailed instructions on how to do this check out our articles on how to start a garden, and how to start a vegetable garden. Below are the basic essentials.
- Measure your environment light, wind water levels
- Test your soil for ph and nutrients
- Measure your space and draw a plan
Again for a super detailed step-by-step guide of how to do all of this check out our detailed how to start a garden guides.
3. Set yourself up for success by growing easy plants to start with
If you are growing vegetables check out our article on the easiest plants for beginners to grow. Growing easy plants when you get started will be motivating and encourage you to keep going. These plants will be more forgiving if you make mistakes and give you a harvest you can be proud of.
If you are looking to grow flowers, when you get started we recommend trying native varieties as these will be the easiest to grow and take to your local environment easier than other more exotic varieties.
4. Talk to local gardeners, get to know your neighbors
Especially if you’ve just moved into a new house, walk around the neighborhood and check out the other Gardens (that you can see from the street). Take note of what appears to be growing well and look for these plants in your local nurseries.
Talk to your neighbors and ask questions about what has been successful for them this year what has grown well what kinds of vegetables they like to grow.
Talk to your neighbors about what kind of soils and fertilizers they use. There is a wealth of knowledge in every town amongst the gardeners. No amount of fertilizer or garden gadgets can beat 20 years of garden experience in the same soil.
You can also go to a local nursery and talk to them about the local conditions. The closer to your house the nursery is the better.
5. Have fun!
Remember not to get too wrapped up in a successful harvest, or too stressed about plants dying or getting pests. Remember the whole point of gardening is to enjoy it!
Your garden is nature and as you develop it you are adding to nature. So that will include all sorts of bugs possibly diseases and the plants will sometimes do well and sometimes not. This is the same for everyone even people who have been gardening for 20 years.
Grow plants that you love and that you want to be around, and remember for every beautiful garden you see there have been most likely lots of plants that have not made it in that very same garden. I myself have had many many plants down in my garden. So do not get upset if some of your plants do not make it, just use the knowledge to learn to understand your soil and local conditions more as you choose plants moving forward.
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