Whether you live in a house, a condo or an apartment, tending to a garden will always lift your spirits.
Do you want to transform your sterile balcony into a relaxing tropical escape, or create a farmer’s market right in your own backyard, but don’t know where to start? Dig into this helpful advice to help you cultivate your own piece of paradise. Gardening is also a great activity to do together on Mother’s Day!
The tools to get started
Even before you begin, you need to stock up on essential tools. These include:
• A shovel or some sturdy trowels to help you dig holes, transplant seedlings or pull up weeds.
• Durable gloves that fit well and are made from protective, water-resistant material like nitrile.
• A sturdy but lightweight watering can.
• A pair of pruners to help you trim your plants.
Eventually you’ll add extra tools like shears, hoes, sieves and other items to your gardening arsenal. And don’t forget a good quality soil mix and fertilizer.
Garden bed options
Choose the type of garden bed that makes sense for your space. Here are a few ideas to start with:
• Raised beds This option makes it possible to grow plants in soil higher than ground level. It’s also perfect if you’re less mobile and want your garden to be more accessible, allowing you to sit while you work. You can build them yourself, or purchase ready-made kits.
• In-ground gardens Growing your plants directly in the ground without beds and containers means you’ll deal with more pests and potential soil issues. However, you might need less water. This is the ideal solution if you have a large yard, or even a smaller one that receives the correct amount of sunlight.
• Container garden These are a low maintenance option especially suited to beginners. Growing plants in pots, window boxes or grow bags is a manageable way to begin your gardening adventure without feeling quickly overwhelmed. This is the perfect type of garden for anyone with limited space, such as a tiny yard, patio, deck or balcony.
Determine how much light your space gets
It’s essential to assess how much sunlight your outdoor space gets throughout the day, or your garden won’t thrive. Different plants need different amounts of sunlight. Consider keeping a journal or map that tracks sunlight patterns in your yard or balcony every two hours. Gardening apps are also available to help make your first foray into gardening a breeze.
Plants usually require one of the following:
• Full sun: Six or more hours of direct sunlight
• Partial sun: Four to six hours of direct sun
• Partial shade: One and a half hours to four hours of direct sun
• Full shade: Less than one and a half hours of direct sun
Identify the style of garden you want
There’s a perfect garden style for every taste and temperament. Here are a few options to consider:
• Herb garden Most herbs grow well in containers or small beds. Herbs like basil, mint, chives and parsley are easy to grow, saving you money over time.
• Vegetable garden Bell peppers, cucumber, zucchini, and peas are among the easiest-to-grow. Plus, harvesting your own food feels incredibly rewarding.
• Native plants Native gardening not only promotes biodiversity but may also require less water, pesticides and fertilizer.
There’s also landscaping and design to consider. A beautiful formal or cottage-style garden can add serious curb appeal to your home.
Test and optimize your soil
Good soil is the foundation of a healthy garden, so it’s worth testing and amending it, although container gardeners can skip this step.
Using a test kit 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 it. Adjusting the soil pH may be too complex for beginning gardeners, so if your soil needs a pH adjustment, consider getting help from a garden centre or landscaping expert.
Buy your seeds or seedlings and plant them
Identifying the right plants for your garden can be tough at first, but it’s easy to research them 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.
Transplant your seedlings gently so you don’t damage the roots. Water slowly, and don’t allow the roots to dry out. If you’re growing your garden from seeds, the instructions on how deep and far apart they need to be are printed on the back of each packet.
Mulch your garden
Mulch helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Different types include:
• Straw Look for hollow stalks left over from wheat, barley or rye harvests. Hay may contain dried weeds and their seeds which are a problem.
• Wood bark Bark mulch is more durable than wood chips and can last up to 10 years.
• Pine needles Pine straw is a light mulch that helps insulate and stabilize 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 vegetable scraps and trimmings from your garden. Composting returns nutrients to the soil and works very well.
Maintain your garden
Now that you’re officially a gardener, keep an eye out for pests and signs of disease, water regularly, and stay on top of any pruning or fertilizing to keep your garden looking its best. Regularly check for wilting, sudden death or discoloured of leaves, spots, residue or unusually small leaves. These could all be signs of plant disease, pests or improper care.
Gardening success comes from consistency, and like all hobbies, involves a certain amount of trial and error. But as your garden grows, so will your skill. Eventually, knowing which plants work best for your location and lifestyle will become second nature.
So grab your shovel, pick up those plants, and boldly embrace the dirt under your fingernails. Happy gardening, and have a wonderful Mother’s Day!