If you’re like most Manitobans, once the sun starts peeking out from behind the clouds and the snow is gone, you’re already rushing out to the garden stores. Not only is visiting a greenhouse a great way to get a head start on what you want to plant for summer, it’s also a fun and free activity to do this Mother’s Day. Just sayin’.
Whether you have a big yard, a small yard, or just a balcony or patio at your condo, gardening is a great way to spend time outdoors while adding curb appeal and value to your home.
Ready to get a jump on your spring gardening? Here are seven tips to help get you started.
Consider sunlight exposure
Sunlight is the lifeblood of any garden, so it’s essential to figure out how much sunshine your outdoor spaces get. Make a note of shady spots and sun-drenched patches to tailor your plant selection accordingly. Different plants need different amounts of light. Consider keeping a journal or drawing a map that tracks sunlight patterns in your yard every two hours throughout the day. Apps are also available to make gardening a breeze.
Plants usually require one of the following:
• Full sun: 6 or more hours of direct sunlight
• Partial sun: 4 to 6 hours of direct sun
• Partial shade: 1½ hours to 4 hours of direct sun
• Full shade: Less than 1½ hours of direct sun
A gardening expert at your local nursery can help you identify the plants that thrive best each area.
Make a plan
Now comes the fun part — deciding what kind of garden speaks to your green soul — vegetable, herb or flower. Whether you’re dreaming of a vegetable patch, an herb garden, or a plot of flowers, there’s a garden style for every taste and temperament. Here are a few options to consider:
• Herb garden: Most herbs grow well in containers or small gardening beds. Herbs like basil, mint, chives, and parsley are easy to grow and save money at the farmer’s market or grocery store.
• Vegetable garden: Bell peppers, cucumber, zucchini, and peas are among the easiest-to-grow vegetables. Harvesting your own fresh produce will help your family eat more veggies and feel incredibly rewarding.
• Native plants: Native gardening not only promotes biodiversity but may also require less water and keep you from overdoing or even eliminating the use of pesticides and fertilizers. A local gardening expert can help you understand which local plants are the best fit.
Test and prepare the soil
Healthy soil is the foundation of a thriving garden, so it’s worth investing some time in testing and correcting your soil. Container gardeners may skip this step, but in-ground gardeners can’t afford to. You can buy a soil testing kit or have a soil test done for you. Collecting soil samples is easy, and most testing services are convenient and affordable. Testing will help you determine your soil’s pH and nutrient levels so you can choose the right plants and fertilize your soil properly.
Typically, the pH range you want is 6.0 to 7.4 so if your soil is within this range, you don’t need to adjust the soil pH. If your test shows your soil pH is over 7.2 or below 5.5, you can take corrective measures.
• To raise soil pH: You can use agricultural lime which is usually available as a powder, granules or pellets. Baking soda also works to increase soil pH though the process is slower.
• To decrease soil pH: Sulfur, iron sulfate or aluminum sulfate can all help reduce soil pH.
Adjusting the soil pH may be too complex a project for beginners, so if you suspect your yard needs a soil pH adjustment, consider asking a landscaping expert.
Pick your plants
With your soil prepped and your garden vision in mind, it’s time to choose your plants. Your yard’s sun exposure and your preferred type of garden should be at the forefront of your design process but you’ll also need to consider the climate, soil and water requirements.
Identifying the right plants for your garden can be tough at first, but it’s easy to research the best plants for your yard online or talk to experts at your local nursery. Whether you’re starting from seed or picking up seedlings, opt for varieties that are well-suited to your hardiness zone and growing conditions.
Start planting
It’s finally time to get your hands dirty and start planting! When you’re gently transplanting seedlings, take time to nestle each plant into its new home with care and attention. Read transplanting tips for your plants to identify how deep the roots need to be buried, the right time to transplant, and the right techniques. Water slowly and gently after transplanting and make sure no roots are exposed.
Add mulch
Once your plants are snug in the soil, top things off with a generous layer of mulch to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Here are a few different types of mulch to consider:
• Straw: Look for hollow stalks left over from wheat, barley or rye harvests. Hay may contain dried weeds and their seeds which could pose a problem.
• Wood bark: Bark mulch is more durable than wood chips and can last up to 10 years. There are also recycled rubber options for this.
• Pine needles: Pine straw is a light mulch that helps insulate the soil and stabilizes the soil temperature.
• Leaves: If you have trees in your yard, shredding fallen leaves (with a leaf shredder) can produce an inexpensive and nutrient-rich mulch.
• Compost: You can easily purchase compost at a nursery or make your own at home using food scraps and trimmings from your garden. Compost returns nutrients to the soil.
Observe and maintain
Now that you’ve got everything into the ground the way you want it, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and tend to your garden with love and care. Keep an eye out for pests and signs of diseases like leaf discolouration, holes or wilt. Water regularly, and stay on top of any necessary pruning or fertilizing to keep your garden looking its best. Regularly check for wilting plants, sudden death or discolouration of leaves, spots, powdery residue, and uncharacteristically small leaves. These could be signs of plant disease, pests or improper care.
Planting successfully
While the steps listed above help get you started, success comes from consistency. You’ll need to care for your garden regularly, observe how your plants change and grow, and use your app to keep track of any problems. Like most hobbies, gardening involves some trial and error. You may learn that some plants don’t grow well in your yard or soil and that you should watch for certain pests.
Have fun with your gardening and have a happy Mother’s Day!
— Houselogic.com