Gardening is a rewarding and exciting experience, whether you're a novice or an experienced green thumb. To ensure your garden is successful, there are some essential steps to follow. From selecting the right location to understanding the soil, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to get started. Before you begin planning your garden, it's important to consider the climate and hardiness zone of your area. The USDA has a map that you can use to enter your zip code and find out what plants grow in your region.
You can also ask your neighbors what grows well in their hardiness zone for additional insight. The next step is to assess the soil in your garden. To do this, use a shovel or fork to gently turn over the top 6 to 8 inches of soil, mixing in organic matter at the same time. Make sure the soil is wet enough to form a loose ball in your fist, but dry enough to fall apart when you drop it. To avoid compacting the soil, place plywood boards temporarily to distribute the weight evenly. Once you have assessed the soil, it's time to choose the best possible location for your garden.
When selecting a spot, take into account factors such as sunlight, wind, and drainage. If you have something specific in mind, you can also use a garden plan to guide your design. Now that you have chosen the location for your garden, it's time to start planting. To find out which plants grow best if sown directly in the garden and which plants grow best as transplants, refer to the seed sowing calendar. Containers or floors specially designed for seedlings and soil mixes for starting seeds are available in garden centers. Seedlings should never be allowed to dry out, so water them daily.
Transplants also need frequent watering (approximately every other day) until their roots are established. After that, how often you need to water depends on soil, humidity and rainfall, although once a week is a good starting point. Clay soil dries out more slowly than sandy soil, so you won't need to water it as often. When irrigating, do so slowly and deeply so that the water can penetrate rather than run off. Making sure the soil is healthy is one of the first things you should do when starting a garden.
To keep it healthy, cut back plants as they grow and water early in the morning before evaporation occurs. Over time, you'll gain a new appreciation for healthy soil as it improves year after year. Starting a garden from scratch can be an incredibly rewarding experience. By following these steps and understanding your local climate and soil conditions, you'll be well on your way to creating a beautiful and successful garden.
