Gardening is one of the most satisfying ventures you will ever get yourself into. It is friendly to Mother Nature as well as to the pocket. With the hard economic times planting your own vegetables will help you cope better by having to spend less in buying groceries. But how do you get started? You may feel overwhelmed by the amount of work that you need to do but with the following tips starting a garden will be a breeze.
Do not make your first garden the biggest you will ever have. It is wise to start small and grow from there. Starting big will be more challenging than starting small. The latter allows you to give the small space your best as you learn what the best practices are and can then expand with ease.
Pick the spot wisely
Among other things the most important needs that every plant has is water, sunlight and fertile soil. When picking the place to have the garden ensure that it can provide an adequate amount of these every day. Opt for a place where the plants can be able to get at least six hours of sunlight on a daily basis. To avoid too much hose hauling choose a spot near the outdoor faucet. A place where the rain falls directly is also an excellent idea. This means that it has to be away from tall trees and buildings.
Soil fertility is key
Remember that the plants will be feeding off the soil and hence it is the most important part of the land. You will of course need to till the place and even create beds depending on what you want to plant. Other than tilling it, you must ensure that the soil is fertile so the plants get all the nutrients they need to thrive. How can you add fertility? Just add some organic manure to the soil and mix properly. This will improve the soil’s water retention and loosens the soil for the roots to be able to penetrate. It is also home to many organisms that are needed for successful plant growth.
Opt for transplants over seeds
During the first year you will surely have a lot to do and it is best to forego whatever you can. Transplants are available as potted plants and all you have to do is replant these on your garden and watch them grow. Why is this better than planting the seed itself? They give you practice of caring for the plants from a less delicate stage. Plants that have already grown and only require to be transplanted are easier to take care of than seeds growing from scratch. Once you have experience in taking care of these you can start growing seeds from the next season.
Mulch to prevent weeds
Weeds are the number one thing you need to avoid. When there is an overgrowth of these you will have to weed them using rakes, hoes and shovels. To reduce the number of times you need to do this, mulch is the best option. Pick leaves and use them to create mulch over the soil. This will help prevent weeds, retain moisture and even make the place look great. Note that only two inches of mulch is enough and it should never exceed 4 inches.