For those unfamiliar with gardening, it might seem like a huge and overwhelming project at first. The truth is, however, that gardening is simpler than it looks and can help create a more healthy lifestyle and environment for you and your family. Whether you want to do landscaping, plant flowers or create a vegetable garden, the following are useful tips towards planting the seeds that will develop into a beautiful garden and healthy environment.
1. Read the Label
This should be a no brainer but so many people fail to read directions in life. Everything in nature is versatile and thus requires different amounts and types of attention and care. Simply read the label and instructions that come with your garden products.
2. Select the Right Plants
If you’re planting vegetables/fruits, make sure you plant them during the right season. For other plants, be sure to take into consideration how much light they need and be aware of the temperature and soil conditions. Ideally, you want to choose plants that are native to your region, which means they will require less care and will be easier to grow.
3. Prepare the Soil
The best soil is worked on over time and built up with the addition of organic material. Add compost to the garden beds prior to planting every Spring. Then be sure to recycle any yard waste through additional composting throughout the remainder of the year.
4. Planting in the Ground
When planting annual flowers and vegetables, be sure to wait until the time in Spring when the danger of frost has passed. Trees and shrubs can be planted in the Fall.
5. Use Water Wisely
This is important regardless of whether or not you garden. Rainfall is a great natural resource for watering your garden. When the weather is warmer or dryer, look for signs such as dry soil or slight wilting before watering and be sure to only water during the cool times of the day.
6. Feed Your Garden
Plants need food to survive as well, such as minerals. Plant food can be purchased at several home & garden related stores. Again, be sure to read the labels and apply to the plants on a regular basis so that they can continue to grow and blossom.
7. Protect Your Soil With Mulch
Mulch helps conserve the moisture in the soil and prevents weeds from growing in addition to moderating the soil temperature. A wide variety of mulch materials, such as wood chips, are available and should be used around trees and in gardens.
8. Control Garden Pests
Not all pest problems are bad and need curing. Identify the severity of the problem and then decide whether or not it requires a cure. Small centralized problems can use stop treatment with products purchased from the store that provide quick and effective control. You don’t always want to spray everything with pesticide because it can be harmful to the environment. Strive for a balance, as that is how nature works as well.
9. Container Gardening
Not everyone has a yard or garden plot to grow plants and vegetables in. An alternate solution is growing plants in a pot or container. Annual flowers and foliage grow well in these. Be sure to take into consideration the condition of the area that the pots will be placed in and use potting soil. Other than that, care for it as you would a garden planted in the ground–with water, fertilizer and mulch.
10. Attract Wildlife
If you love nature, you can create a habitat in your backyard for the birds and butterflies that will naturally be attracted to your plants. You can provide a birdhouse or a birdbath if you’d like.
