Hey you happy gardeners! So glad you are here.
Today I am going to share with you Top 15 Tips to start your garden.
My goal is to encourage you to use what you have to learn about gardening. Whether you have a container garden, small backyard, raised bed or a big plot to grow in the ground: there are several ways to garden but there are some common things known to gardeners that are helpful. I have grown in containers when I had an apartment, in raised beds and in the ground depending on the circumstances.
Alright so let’s jump right in !
Tip #1 Know what planting zone you live in. The Old Farmer’s Almanac is a good tool used to find your hardiness or planting zone. Simply enter your zip code. My USDA Hardiness Zones is 7b. This information will help you to know which plants or flowers you can grow successfully in your area. Not all plants and flowers grow in every climate. Seed packets and plant labels will include hardiness or planting zones.
Tip #2 Know your last Spring Frost date and first Fall Frost date as well as the total number of growing days for your summer season. A frost date calculator is a great tool to use to find the average dates of the last light freeze of spring and the first light freeze of fall. That will be a guesstimate of the number of growing days in your summer season.
Tip #3 Start small. Make a plan of what you want to grow. Make a list of vegetables you and your family like to eat that is appropriate for your growing season.
Tip #4 Location, location, location. When, where and how you plant is key real-estate. Vegetables need 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each day. Plant East to West to maximize the sun. Do you have a level surface? How is the drainage? Any surrounding trees or structures that block the sun or cause some shading?
Tip #5 Know your environment: do you have deer, rabbits, pets and other wild life you need to secure your garden area from?
Tip #6 Make sure you have access to a water source. You don’t want to have to be lugging a water container back and forth from a distance. You will need a new shoulder by the end of the season. It’s best not to overhead water your garden veggies and flowers. I will talk more on watering techniques in upcoming articles.
Tip #7 Have an understanding of the different soil types. Depending on where you live, you might have clay, sandy or loamy soil. I will go into more detail in further articles about the Ph of soil, the macro and micronutrient make up of the soil (3 letters N, P, K – Nitrogen, Phosphors and Potassium) as well as amending the soil. There is seed starting mix which is a sterile, soilless medium. There is potting soil mix for containers, raised beds and pots. There is also garden soil mix for flower beds. There are different textures, drainage and medium products added to the soil.
What you put in the soil is what you get out. You are what you eat. You know the sayings.
When you compare what the soil and our soul needs, it is so similar. Nutrient dense food is the strength of our immune system. For example: alkaline and acidic soil/foods and the proper Ph, is the balance our bodies need. We need nutrients, water, oxygen, light and a regulating temperature. Feeding the soil is feeding your soul! The original affordable healthcare!
Alright, hang in there. We are halfway finished. I hope you are finding these tips helpful.
Okay, on to :
Tip #8 Know your local University based Cooperative Extension. You can Google and find the one in your state and county. An excellent resource for soil testing and gardening information.
Tip #9 Decide if you will start your garden by seed or transplant starts purchased at your local nursery. Not all seed/seedlings transplant well. For example, carrots, beans and corn do not like their roots disturbed.
Tip #10 Get familiar with reading your seed packet or label from your purchased transplant. The packet or label will usually have helpful information on planting, spacing, days to germination and harvest. The packet or label will also indicate whether the plant is an annual, perennial, hybrid, organic or heirloom.
Tip #11 Tools of the trade: Hand rake, hand pruner, scissors, round headed shovel, pitch fork/digging fork, bow rake, watering wand, watering can, knee pads. Carry a tote to hold your hand tools and supplies. Trust me you will accumulate more.
Tip #12 Garden PPE (personal protective equipment) Protect yourself from the elements, insects and objects. Hat, gloves, shoes, insect repellent, sunscreen, sunglasses and long sleeve shirts. Common sense things. I saved my sons old tube socks that I wear to the garden to protect my ankles from getting bitten up from ants and other crawlies.
Tip #13 Attack weeds when they are young or you will be growing more weeds then vegetables and flowers. That’s when your hoe comes in handy.
Tip #14 Save gallon water jugs and squeeze bottle (water bottle-drill holes in lid or ketchup bottle) Use jugs as a makeshift greenhouse or cloches and water bottle or ketchup container as a squeeze bottle to water delicate seedlings or plants.
And finally!
Tip #15 Grow some flowers to attract pollinators and beneficial insects to your garden. They play a key role in our ecosystem as well as bring a beautiful splash of color to your garden. For example: borage, coneflower, sunflower, milkweed, lavender, marigolds, nasturtiums and herbs.
Thank you for hanging in there. I hope you find these tips useful and of value to you. Grow what you like to eat. Do your research and get started.
Join me next time and we will get started on planting seeds.
If you are starting to get spring fever like me, please share this blog with your friends so they can grow along with us.
Thank yo so much for your time. I’m excited to get started.
Always stay abundantly rooted and grounded.
Tiffeny