Gardening Tips to Get You Growing

Today, April 14th, is National Gardening Day. It seems like there’s a day for everything, right? This day encourages seasoned gardeners, as well as beginners, to grab a shovel, plant some seeds, and kick off a season filled with colorful flowers and/or garden-fresh produce.

Rooted Joy

There’s something satisfying about planting a tiny seed and watching it grow into something vibrant and alive. Gardening isn’t just about pretty flowers or fresh vegetables, it’s a way to slow down, reconnect with nature, and create something of your own.

Whether you have a large backyard, a small patio, or just a windowsill with enough light for a few herbs, anyone can grow a garden. You don’t need to be a pro or have a green thumb.

I’ll be sharing some tips I came across about gardening for beginners. Before getting started, it’s best to be realistic about how much work you want to do, and how much time you have to care for your new garden.

What do you need? Every beginner gardener needs a few essential tools: garden gloves; pruning shears; watering can; hand trowel; hose; garden kneeler; leaf rake; and a shovel or spade.

Let’s Dig In

Let’s take a look at how to start your own garden with a few tips from Better Homes and Gardens.

Starting a garden from scratch can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re a beginner. Whether you’re interested in growing vegetables, flowers, or both, these tips will help you understand the process and what it takes to get started.

🌼What to plant

Do you want to plant a vegetable garden? An herb garden? A flower garden? If you want a flower garden, decide whether you want annuals that bloom most of the summer but need to be replanted each spring, or perennials that have a shorter bloom time but return year after year.

☀️Pick a spot

If possible, choose a relatively flat area for your garden. Most vegetables, and many flowers, need 6 to 8 hours of full sun each day. To find the best spot, observe the area throughout a typical day to see whether it gets full sun, partial sun, or full shade.

🧹Clear the area

Remove any weeds and grass (sod) from the areas where you plan to plant.

🌾The soil

Healthy soil is essential—it should be loose, well-draining, and not compacted. After a rain, water shouldn’t pool in your garden area. Loosening the soil before planting helps roots grow more easily and reach the water and nutrients they need to thrive.

🌿The plants

Here’s a list of some easy-to-grow plants for beginners, be sure to research any plants you plan to buy to make sure you’re planting them at the right time of year and in the right spots.

Annuals: Calendula, Geraniums, Impatiens, Marigolds, Sunflowers, and Zinnias
Perennials: Daylilies, Pansies, Phlox, Purple Coneflowers, and Russian Sage
Vegetables: Cucumbers, Lettuce, Peppers, and Tomatoes

💧Water and mulch

Be sure to check the watering needs of the plants you’ve chosen. To retain moisture and keep weeds at bay, cover the soil with a few inches of mulch. For vegetable gardens or beds of annuals, use a mulch that breaks down within a few months. For perennials, opt for a longer-lasting mulch like bark chips.

🌻Maintenance

As your garden grows, regular care will help it thrive. Water plants before they wilt. Pull weeds early and get rid of dead, dying, and diseased growth.

Whether you’re growing basil on your windowsill or a full vegetable garden, I hope you found this information to be enjoyable and helpful! And, if you plant a flower garden, remember to always stop, smell the flowers, and enjoy your work of art!

NCP Panel Member Info

If you’ll be busy planting and/or landscaping the next couple of months, please don’t forget to scan all your gardening purchases. Many seasonal items, such as gardening tools, bags/containers of soil, mulch, grass seed, fertilizer, etc. are often stored away before use in a garage or shed and easily forgotten about when it comes to scanning. Please remember to scan all seasonal purchases before you store them away. Thank you!

Happy Gardening!

Regards,
Taylor

More From NCP:

The Flowers of Spring

What’s in Your Garden?

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