Growing fruits and veggies is a popular hobby for many people. The National Gardening Association has reported that 35% of American households produced food at home or in their community gardens during 2013. As the Coronavirus pandemic continues to keep the world in lockdown, home gardening can supplement your nutritional requirements and free up your finances. But, for beginners, it can be overwhelming to start a garden with no experience. Here are a few tips to help you kick-start your gardening hobbies on a good note as a beginner.
Choose a good site
Selecting a site for your garden is kind of similar to choosing a plot of land for your new home. Not only is it convenient to site your garden at the nearest location, it’s also important to choose a site that you’ll enjoy visiting in your spare time. The more accessible your garden site is, the more attention you can give to it. A host of other factors may influence your decision on the site. These may include the topography of the land, availability of water, and soil fertility.
Consider the position of the sun
A garden that’s exposed to too little or too much sunshine can suffer in so many ways. So, before planting, pay attention to how sunlight is distributed through the garden. Most vegetables, fruits as well as herbs require about 6 hours of sunlight to yield better. Other food crops may require even more or lesser sunlight. So, select your plants according to their need for sunshine.
Supply enough water to your garden
The key to cultivating a blossoming home garden lies in keeping it well-watered. For this to be a reality, you’ll have to choose a site that’s closer to a source of water. Nothing is more stressful than having to walk several miles before you can source water to supply your garden. The big question is: how will you know how often to water your garden? Well, the trick is quite easy — stick your finger an inch deep into the soil. If it’s dry down there, give your plants some water.
Choose the right plants and pesticides
Select your plants based on your growing conditions. For instance, sun-loving plants should be grown in sunny spots, and heat-resistant varieties should be cultivated in warm climates. Research and select varieties that will thrive in your home area. In growing vegetables and herbs, sometimes it’s better to buy young, vigorous plants to give your garden a head start. Along the line, you’ll also need to invest in the appropriate weedicides and pesticides to protect your garden. Learn how to kill weeds and grass long term to boost your harvest and increase your productivity.
Use healthy planting strategies
After assessing environmental factors like growing zone and soil fertility, adopt better planting strategies such as container gardening. This is far better than in-ground gardening in several ways. Between 2008 and 2013, container gardening grew up by almost 46% — reported the National Gardening Association. With a potting mix, you won’t have to prepare the soil before you start your garden. Container gardening saves you problems with space and allows you to create your garden on your patio, rooftop, and other places.
