Decide whether you want to start your gardening venture in pots or garden soil. If you have a backyard, it will serve an ideal spot to start a vegetable or flower garden. The ideal planting sites are those that receive some amount of sunlight during daytime, and are less prone to strong winds. When it comes to container, the pot dimension should be suitable for your selected cultivar.
Growing lustrous green plants, healthy roots and inducing maximum blooms depend largely on the fertility of the growing medium. It is through soil that plants absorb nutrients and water for survival. As per your plan, prepare the growth medium for plants, i.e., potting mixture or garden soil. You can mix organic compost, peat moss or other components. The resulting soil type should be fertile, well-drained and free of disease causing parasites.
Whether you are looking forward to start a herb garden, flower garden, or vegetable garden, the step for selection of varieties is a crucial one. This is because of the difference in care level of varied plants. In addition to the basic growth requirements, some vegetables, flowers, herbs, shrubs, etc., need special attention for optimal growth, blooming and/or bearing of fruits. As a beginner, opt for hardy cultivar that perform in a wide range of growth conditions.
The water requirement for cultivated plants and flowers differ according to species. Some varieties can tolerate dry condition, while others are very sensitive to water stress. A simple logic is water them, when the top soil part becomes dry. At any point of time, avoid over watering, or it will cause water logging and decaying of roots. For indoor gardening, place a tray below the pots to collect excess water.
Sunlight is a basic necessity for every plant to develop leaves, flowers and fruits. After all, plants manufacture foods on their own with the help of sunlight. While providing optimal light is possible for outdoor plants, installing artificial light system may be a consideration for houseplants. Whenever you have time, you can keep indoor plants in sunlit areas for exposing them to sunlight.
Fluctuating temperature is not a concern for potted plants, as you can bring them indoors anytime. Most of the outdoor plants cannot withstand extreme low temperature or snowfall. Eventually, you can expect bare trees and dying plants. To avoid such a dull looking garden, grow cold resistant plant types and grow a fall flower garden to add a winter interest for your landscape.
Supplementing the growing media with nutrients is another tip for maintaining healthy plants. The type of fertilizer and frequency or application may vary from one variety to another. If possible, use only farmyard compost and eco-friendly fertilizers for your plants. Fertilizing with chemical based products is strictly not recommended for organic gardening, wherein you can use only organic based formulations.
Speaking about the problems faced by first time plant growers, they include growth of weeds, pest attacks and disease infestations. In presence of invading weeds (particularly in outdoor gardens), your plants will compete for water and nutrients, thus putting them in stress. A practical method for effective weed control is uprooting unwanted plants. Likewise, you should be watchful to detect diseases and pests. In serious cases, follow pest control techniques to keep the pest population under control.
Well, these are all the tips for gardening for beginners that I could offer. Indeed, gardening provides immense pleasure to those who love to enjoy garden fresh veggies and fragrant, beautiful flowers. With experience, you can identify the factors required for healthy plant growth, and grow any cultivar that calls for high maintenance.