The Basics of Starting and Maintaining a Garden
Author Carrie Spenser
The Basics of Starting and Maintaining a Garden
There are many benefits to starting a garden. Not only are there the health benefits to consider, but there’s no limit to the knowledge you can acquire by adopting gardening as a lifelong hobby. However, before you go to the store and pick up a bunch of plants, you will need to plan and prepare for your new garden. Both starting and maintaining a garden takes a lot of work. Here are some tips and resources that can help you get started on solid ground.
Choose What to Grow
First of all, decide what you want to grow in your garden, as it will determine how you approach many other steps in the process.
Growing fruits and vegetables is a great way to foster delicious, healthy eating habits.
Herbs can also enhance your diet while also providing additional health benefits.
And if you’re looking to boost the appeal of your property and add some pleasant smells, consider planting flowers.
You can even grow a variety of foods in a small living space, such as an apartment.
Make it Happen
Now, it’s time to lay the groundwork and bring your garden to fruition!
Consider access to sunlight and water, as well as how much space your crops will need to grow when you choose a location for your garden.
Check the soil quality where you want to put your garden, and make any changes necessary to help your garden thrive.
Then, prepare your garden bed either by removing grass and topping it off with soil or by laying newspapers over the area and adding soil on top.
Now you’re ready to plant your crops; follow the planting instructions for each crop.
If all of this seems overwhelming, don’t worry! The folks at Good Earth Garden School
can lend a helping hand when you sign up for a class.
Keep It Going
Maintaining your garden will also require strategy and consistency.
Watering your garden the right amount is critical; installing an irrigation system can do wonders for this part of the process.
You will also want to be sure to keep weeds at bay, as they can smother your crops.
Regularly pruning and deadheading your flowers is essential to helping them grow.
Invest in the Right Tools
As with any other hobby, having the right tools handy is essential for gardening.
If you go with an irrigation system, make sure you use the right flow control valves.
Having a good trowel on hand is important, as it’s one of the most-used garden tools.
Also, investing in quality hoes, rakes, and spades will help you to tend to your garden.
And garden shears will allow you to prune your crops as needed.
Planting a garden comes with a plethora of potential benefits. Just be sure to carefully select the crops you will grow, and be strategic about your planting process. Also, be vigilant about maintaining your garden, and get all the tools necessary for each task. A beautiful, luscious garden could be yours in no time!
Thanks to guest author Carrie Spenser. She created The Spencers Adventures to share her family’s homesteading adventures. On the site, she shares tips on living self-sufficiently, fruit and vegetable gardening, parenting, conservation, and more. She and her wife have 3 kids, 2 dogs, 4 cats, 3 goats, 32 chickens, and a whole bunch of bees. Their goal to live as self- sufficiently and environmentally-consciously as possible. Contact Carrie Spencer at thespencersadventures.net ; carrie@thespencersadventures.net