There's no denying the growing popularity of gardening. More and more people are rediscovering the gratification it brings. With our busy and competitive work environments, gardening provides a refreshing change of pace when we return home. It offers therapeutic benefits, allowing us to disconnect from technology, step outside, tend to our plants, and give them the care they need.
If you're new to gardening, be prepared—you might just become hooked.
A successful garden doesn't have to be a large rectangular plot tucked away in a corner of your yard. Nowadays, gardens come in various forms such as potted plants, raised beds, and integrated within flower beds alongside annuals and perennials. You can even incorporate edible plants into your landscape—why not create an "edible landscape"?
Start By Planning and Observing
Are you passionate about cooking? Begin your gardening journey by planting a basic herb pot on your patio or near the entrance of your home or apartment. Consider including sun-loving plants like Rosemary, Thyme, Basil, and Parsley.
If you have a larger pot, you can add a vibrant Begonia or some Nasturtiums for a splash of color. Here's a gardening tip: Mulch your container plant to help retain moisture and promote healthy growth.Before embarking on your gardening journey, it's crucial to assess the sun exposure in the desired area where you plan to cultivate flowers, herbs, or vegetables. The quantity of sunlight sun will dictate the plants that
When beginning a container garden, it's important to select a spacious and broad pot. Opting for a larger pot with ample soil volume will help prevent your young plants from drying out too quickly and give them room to grow and thrive.
Pick the Plants You’d Like to Grow
If you're considering growing more than just herbs, tomato plants are a fantastic choice, especially since they thrive in full sun. You can easily incorporate them into existing shrub borders or perennial gardens. Stake the tomato plants or grow them on towers behind your favorite flowering plants. While tomato plants can be grown in various sunny locations, it's advisable to rotate their planting spot every third year to maintain soil health.
Remember to only plant what you can adequately care for. If it's more convenient, you can simply purchase cucumbers or squash from your local farmers market instead of dedicating yard space to items you won't use.
Make the most of vertical space by planting pole beans on a tower or a homemade tripod. Pole beans provide an extended harvest period.
Raised beds are an excellent option for incorporating compost and other organic matter, enhancing drainage, and can be positioned in sunny areas. You'll be amazed at how much you can grow by utilizing raised flower beds and horizontal vegetable garden spaces. Start with early crops like radishes, lettuces, greens, and green onions. Once harvested, you can plant beans, eggplant, or other warm-season crops in the same area.
Certain vegetables like lettuces, Swiss chard, kale, and parsley have ornamental qualities and can be seamlessly integrated into annual and perennial gardens. Consider adding rhubarb to your perennial border for its beautiful appearance.
Have you ever seen asparagus plants after harvest? They provide a soft and soothing green backdrop for your favorite perennials or annual flowers.
Are you catching the gardening bug yet? Who says you need a vast expanse of lawn to maintain? Expand your gardening skills by adding more raised beds for flowers and food crops. Reserve ground space for larger crops to maximize their productivity.
Plant What You Love
Having a garden isn't just about growing vegetables; it can also bring joy through flowering bushes and perennials. So why wait? If you're passionate about blossoms, consider adding hydrangeas as a hedge by the fence, a Japanese maple as the centerpiece of a meditation garden, or forsythia to the front foundation planting for a burst of early spring color.
If you want to attract pollinators to your garden, plant coneflowers, asters, salvia, and viburnum to enjoy their delightful presence during the summer months.
Alternatively, if you crave the thrill of growing your own food but a vegetable garden alone doesn't satisfy you, why not try fruit? While you may not have space for an entire apple orchard, you can easily grow blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, or raspberries in smaller areas.
For the adventurous gardeners out there, consider adding a citrus tree like Dwarf Meyer Lemon or Finger Lime in a pot. Keep it on the patio during summer and bring it indoors during colder winter months. There's nothing quite like the taste of a fresh, homegrown lemon.
Remember, all plants thrive in great soil. Use rich, well-drained soils mixed with compost and other organic materials to make your gardening journey easier. Regular watering is essential to prevent stress on your plants. Don't forget to provide a 3-4 inch layer of mulch over the roots, whether they're in pots or in the ground.
Gardening is a hobby for everyone, so start small and keep it simple. Whether you grow a tray of microgreens, an herb pot on the patio, or create an entire edible landscape, gardening promotes health and is a wonderful lifelong activity.
Happy planting,plant lovers.