Have you always wanted to grow a garden for yourself or sell plants? Sometimes, the information you need might not be there despite your best efforts. And although gardening is a rewarding and enjoyable activity that beautifies your home and provides fresh produce and herbs for your family, you can only succeed when you have the correct information. However, starting a garden can be overwhelming for many people. With so many plants, tools, and techniques to consider, it can be challenging to know where to begin. Congratulations, this guide will help you become a badass gardener as you explore gardening basics, from selecting a location to harvesting your first crop.
Table of Contents
Learn About Pests and Diseases
Insects and diseases may present challenges in any garden, causing damage or destruction. Keeping your garden clean and well-maintained is critical to avoid pest and disease problems. Remove any dead or diseased plant material and properly dispose of it, as this can serve as a breeding ground for pests and diseases. Some pests, diseases, and invasive plants are local and specific to certain plants. These are essential factors for your garden.
You can also use natural pest control methods such as companion planting or beneficial insects like ladybugs or praying mantises to control pest populations. If you need to use a pesticide, choose one targeted to the specific pest you are trying to control and use it according to the instructions on the label.
Choose A Location
The first step in starting a garden is selecting the right location. Your garden should be located in an area with at least six hours of sunlight daily. When planting vegetables or herbs, choosing an area with well-draining soil rich in organic matter is best. You can test your soil by sending a sample to a local agricultural extension office or using a soil testing kit available at many garden centres.
When choosing a location, consider factors such as access to water and proximity to your home. If your garden is far from your house, you may be less likely to visit it regularly. Additionally, if you use a hose to water your plants, ensure the area is near a spigot or another water source.
If you plan to sell your garden, you must create a design. Get a certified farm landscaper to create a workable plan if you don’t possess the necessary technical understanding. Keep in mind that most plants eventually require sunshine and shelter from the elements.
How To Choose A Plant
You should consider a few things when choosing plants for your garden. Choose plants first that are compatible with your environment and growing conditions. For instance, if your area is hot and dry, you might want to consider cacti or succulents that can withstand drought. On the other hand, if you reside in a cooler, more humid region, you might want to select plants that do well there.
Furthermore, consider the size of your garden and your available area. While certain plants, like lettuce or tomatoes, can be grown in small areas, others, like herbs, need much room to flourish.
Which type of plant—seedlings or seeds—do you like to grow? Compared to seedlings, which are more expensive but can be put immediately into your garden, seeds are less expensive but take more time and effort to grow. Budget for insulated garden rooms as well if you want to cultivate specific plants, use one as an office, or store things there. For a variety of styles that meet your needs, look into these insulated garden rooms in Surrey.
Use Fertiliser As Necessary
Fertilisers can help supply the nutrients plants need to grow and thrive. There are numerous fertiliser options, including both organic and synthetic varieties. Whereas synthetic fertilisers are generated from chemicals, organic fertilisers are made from organic elements like compost, manure, or bone meal.
It is critical to consider your plants’ needs when selecting a fertiliser. Tomatoes and peppers require frequent fertilisation, whereas herbs or succulents may only require fertilisation once or twice a year. Ensure you carefully follow the fertiliser package instructions, as over-fertilising can harm your plants or cause them to produce fewer fruits or flowers. Furthermore, some fertilisers can harm pets or wildlife, so selecting a safe fertiliser for your environment is critical.
Regularly Weed Your Garden
Weeds compete for nutrients and water with your plants and may cause poor yield. To keep your garden weed-free, weed regularly, ideally once a week but more frequently if necessary. Weeds are easier to remove when young, so catch them while they are still small.
Weed removal techniques include hand weeding, hoeing, and the use of herbicides. Hand weeding is the removal of weeds by hand, whereas hoeing is the removal of weeds by cutting them just below the soil’s surface. Herbicides are chemical treatments that can kill weeds, but they must be used cautiously and per the label’s instructions.
Ensure Proper Watering Channels
Proper watering is essential for the health and growth of your plants. Most plants need at least one inch of water per week from rainfall or a watering source such as a hose or watering can. However, it’s important not to overwater your plants, which can lead to root rot and other issues.
One way to ensure that your plants get the right amount of water is to water them deeply and infrequently. This entails thoroughly watering your plants once or twice a week instead of a little misting each day. Moreover, watering your plants in the morning or the afternoon can assist in reducing evaporation and guarantee that the plants get the water they need. Check these practical tips for watering your plants.
Seasonal Care
Gardening requires year-round care, with different tasks to be done in each season. In the spring, you must prepare your garden beds and plant seeds or seedlings. Summer is the time for regular watering, fertilising, and harvesting crops. In the fall, you’ll need to clean up any dead plant material and prepare your garden for winter. During winter, you can plan for next year’s garden, order seeds, and make necessary repairs or improvements to your garden space.
You can use garden rooms or garden offices, as they are also called, for a temporary nursery in winter. You can also store seeds there in excellent condition for future use.
Harvesting And Preservation
Your harvest is the ultimate reward of gardening. Knowing when and how to harvest your crops is critical for getting them the most flavour and nutrition.
Fruits and vegetables should be harvested when they are ripe, which varies depending on the plant. Tomatoes, for example, are ready to pick when they are fully red and slightly soft to the touch, whereas cucumbers should be picked when they are small and tender.
Herbs can be harvested anytime during the growing season, but the oils are most concentrated in the morning. Use the fresh herbs immediately or dry them later by cutting the stems just above a set of leaves.
Whether you keep your garden for private use or intend to sell your produce, ensure that you always monitor your plants’ conditions. You can deploy inexpensive tools such as digital thermometers, hygrometers, and similar devices to make the job easier.
