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Top Gardening Tips for Beginners

WONDERING HOW TO START A GARDEN?

Never worked in the garden before? No problem. You've turned your dreams of growing your own into reality with these 10 easy-to-follow tips.

1

PLACE IT RIGHT

Starting a garden is like real estate: it's all about location. Put your garden in a part of your yard where you can see it regularly (out of sight, out of mind definitely applies to gardening). That way, you're much more likely to spend time in it.

FOLLOW THE SUN

Miscalculating sunlight is a common mistake when learning to garden for the first time. Pay attention to how sunlight plays in your garden before choosing a spot for your garden. Most edible plants, including many vegetables, herbs, and fruits, need at least 6 hours of sun to thrive.

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3

STAY CLOSE TO WATER

One of the best gardening tips you'll ever get is to plan your new garden near a water source. Make sure you can run a hose to your garden location, so you don't have to carry water every time your plants get thirsty. The best way to know if plants need watering is to push a finger an inch down into the soil (about a knuckle deep). If it's dry, it's time to water.

4

CONSIDER CONTAINERS

When space is limited, look for containers. You can grow many plants in pots, including vegetables, herbs, flowers, fruit trees, berries, and shrubs. When working with containers, use a pot that's large enough for the plant it hosts.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT PLANTS

It's essential to select plants that match your growing conditions. This means putting sun-loving plants in a sunny spot, choosing heat-tolerant plants in hot climates, and giving ground-hugging vines like squash and melons plenty of room to roam (or a trellis to climb). Do your homework and select varieties that will grow well where you live and in the space you have. For greater success with growing vegetables and herbs, start with young, vigorous plants rather than trying to grow from seeds.

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DISCOVER YOUR ZONE

Knowing your "hardiness zone" can help you choose the best plants. In short, it describes the coldest place a plant can grow. The higher the zone number, the warmer the climate. So, if a plant is "hardy to zone 4" and you garden in zone 5, that plant will survive in your garden. However, if you're in zone 3, it's too cold to grow that particular plant. Find your hardiness zone.

KNOW FROST DATES

Planting too early (or late) in the season can spell disaster for your garden. You need to know the average date of the last spring frost in your area to avoid accidentally killing plants by putting them out prematurely. It's also good to know the average date of the first fall frost so you can harvest or move plants indoors before late-season cold damages them. Find the average dates for the first and last frost in your area.

7

ADD SOME MULCH

Apply a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch around each plant. This will help reduce weeds by blocking the sun and cut down on moisture loss through evaporation, so you'll have to water less. For a polished look, put down a layer of bagged mulch. Or you can use straw, shredded leaves, pine straw, or another locally available material.

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FEED YOUR PLANTS REGULARLY.

We've talked about the importance of starting with good soil, but that soil works better if you add high-quality plant food regularly. In other words, fantastic soil + top-notch plant food = great success in the garden! About a month after planting, start feeding your garden with a plant food like Plant Force+. Make sure to follow the label instructions.

ONE LAST PIECE OF ADVICE: ALWAYS SOW LIFE WITH LOVE.