In this guide, I will tell you how to start a garden. No matter if you have a patio, some land, or a lot of land this guide will show how to start a garden in no time.
Table of Contents
Intention
Garden Planning
Where to Build Your Garden
Having The Right Soil
What To Grow in your Garden
Managing Pests and Weeds
Harvesting Your Food
Intention
The first thing you want to decide is what kind of garden you will be starting. Are you growing vegetables, herbs, flowers, or all of the above?
This will give you clarity on what to grow and why you want to start a garden. Gardening can be tough so it’s best to start with a strong why.
Garden-Planning
What season are you planting in and what season will you harvest in? Having this understanding will help when it comes to deciding what you want to plant.
Now the climate you live in is super important and you want to identify your USDA zone. The USDA zone system identifies your climate based on your location. This lets you know when to start planting certain plants.
Where to Build Your Garden
When starting a garden location is everything.
You ideally want an area that is going to have 6 – 8 hours of sunlight. A south-facing garden can be the most ideal but if you don’t have the right location to get a south-facing garden, then find a spot that gets 6-8 hours of sunlight.
Now if you have land then start a garden in your yard. Now there are different planting methods to consider. Planting in a bed vs in the ground. The method you choose will depend on how much gardening space you have to work with.
Having the right soil
Having the right soil conditions is critical for you to be able to grow strong, healthy, and delicious vegetables. There are a couple of things you want to look for.
Most plants like to grow in loose and breathable soil. If you have soil that’s too compact your vegetable roots will not be able to grow properly.
You also want to make sure your soil has good nutrients. If your soil has good nutrients then the soil is healthy.
An easy way to see if your soil has good nutrients is to use your city’s extension office. They usually have soil kits that you can use to get a full breakdown of the nutrients in your soil.
Depending on what’s lacking you can always amend your soil with the proper nutrients.
What To Grow
When deciding what you’re going to grow make sure you’re growing what you like to eat for two main reasons.
- You’ll stay motivated: Starting a garden can be very difficult at times, and you have to show up frequently to make sure your garden is healthy.
- You’re going to have more food than you know what to do with. It’s best to have an abundance of vegetables that you truly enjoy to eat. That way you’ll eat most of it and feel good when sharing your produce with others.
Managing Pests and Weeds
The first line of defense to keeping your plant safe is going to be having good soil. If your plants have good soil then you eliminate all of the pests and diseases.
If you need pesticide there are a lot of organic options for you to purchase. You can also make a simple and effective homemade pest repellent as well.
When it comes to weeds the best way to prevent them from taking over your garden is to keep checking in on your garden frequently and keep the weeds under control before they get too bad. Weeds can suck up all the nutrients in your garden and prevent your plants from getting what they need.
Harvesting Your Food
Make sure that you are harvesting properly and at the right times. Some plants allow you to harvest multiple times without you having to take up the whole plant.
Storing effectively is crucial as well. Since you’re probably not coating your produce in preservatives(at least I hope not) you’ll need to do research and learn how to properly store away your produce.
Conclusion
Gardening is a beautiful pastime to take on. You’ll become more connected to your food and the outdoors. You’ll become a steward of the earth by learning how to take care of it properly. Take your time with this journey and accept the fact that there’s a lot to learn. At the same time, enjoy the process. There is so much to gain from starting a vegetable garden
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