Gardening is one of life’s simple joys. There’s just something special about spending time outdoors, tending to plants, and watching them grow. If you’re thinking about starting your own garden, you’re in good company! Many people find it to be a relaxing and rewarding way to connect with nature.
If you’ve never gardened before, it might feel a little overwhelming at first, but don’t worry, it’s easier than you think. All you really need are a few basics: the right plants, some simple tools, and a good spot to grow. Everything else comes with time and experience.
Before you start digging, take a little time to research what grows well in your region. Different plants have different needs, and picking the right ones will set you up for success. Once you have a plan, you’ll be ready to roll up your sleeves and get your hands in the dirt!
Seeds
You can’t very well start a garden without seeds. But what kind of seeds should you pick up, and where should you get them from? That all depends on what you want to grow.
Flower, vegetable, and fruit seeds are available at just about every big box store with a gardening department. You can also purchase them from a local garden center, or one online. Don’t go too crazy, though. Start off small, especially if this is your first foray into gardening. The slower you start off, the more you’ll be able to ease into growing even more.
Garden Tools
Garden tools are necessary to prepare soil for planting. They include a tiller to dig up large portions of soil and mix it with fertilizer to give your seeds or seedlings vital nutrition. If you have a smaller area, a garden fork can do the same.
A hand trowel is useful for digging singular holes to plant seeds or propagating while pruning shears is a must for trimming plants and keeping them healthy. A wheelbarrow makes it easier to transport dirt and other supplies to and from the garden.
Fertilizer
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Most of the time the soil in your garden or plot of land where you plan to put your garden isn’t sufficient enough to sustain your plants. Therefore, you’ll need to add fertilizer that contains the nutrients, including nitrogen, your garden needs to thrive.
The type of fertilizer you’ll use will depend largely on the type of plants you’re growing and the region where you live. Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech shares that the right amount of fertilizer for a garden depends on soil fertility, organic matter content, fertilizer type, and the specific crop. If you’re not sure of what your soil may be lacking, reach out to your local extension office; they can help with a soil test.
Water Source
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Every plant, regardless of its class, needs water to survive. In order to build a thriving garden, you need to have a reliable water source. This could be a hose you use to water the plants or a sprinkler system you install just for that purpose.
Just make sure you’re not lugging gallons of water back and forth every day because that will get old quickly.
Mulch
Mulch can help you keep pests out and protect your plants’ root systems from extreme weather. It also protects the soil from erosion while helping it retain moisture plants need to grow.
Mulch decomposes and, as it does, contributes to the ecosystem in your garden by enriching the garden ecosystem by adding organic matter to the soil, shares the experts at Waynesboro Landscape and Garden Center.
A Good Area to Plant
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As much as we’d love to plant a garden anywhere, not every spot will do. Plants need the right conditions to thrive—plenty of sunlight, easy access to water, and a location that makes tending to them convenient.
The gardeners at Seeds ‘n Sunch explain that most vegetables and flowers need at least six hours of direct sunlight each day, so take note of how the sun moves across your yard before picking a spot. If shade is unavoidable, consider growing leafy greens, herbs, or shade-tolerant flowers.
