5 Tips For Growing Your First Garden

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Whether you’re planting fragrant florals or starting a vegetable garden, here are some things to know before you dig in!

  1. Pick The Right Spot

It’s essential to first understand how much sun the plants you’re planting require. Then, figure out which parts of your yard receive full sun versus partial or full shade to ensure your plants receive the light they need to thrive. Also, it’s advisable to pick a relatively flat spot with windbreaks.

  1. Prep The Ground

To get rid of the sod, cover your future garden with five sheets of newspaper and spread a 3-inch layer of compost on it. After about four months, the compost and paper will start to decompose and you’ll eventually have a plot ready to plant. Work the soil when preparing new beds – it helps the roots penetrate the soil more easily and access water and nutrients. 

  1. Enrich The Soil

Fertile and friable soil is essential for healthy plants. Add a 2 to 3-inch layer of compost, decayed leaves, or old manure to the soil a few weeks prior to planting or when tilling new beds. The earthworms will do the rest.

  1. Know Your Choices

Do you want to plant vegetables and herbs? Which ones are most likely to contribute to your dinner table? Or are you interested in a garden full of blooms? Annuals or perennials? Understand that each choice will have different maintenance requirements. For best results, choose plants adapted to your climate, soil, and sunlight. 

  1. Keep Going!

Once your garden begins to grow, help it reach its full potential by regularly tending to it. Water the plants, keep an eye out for weeds and pests and get rid of dead and diseased vegetation. Protect plants from frost, support tall plants with a trellis or a stake and harvest vegetables as soon as they’re ready.