Gardening Tips For Beginners

Gardening is a wonderful way to get fresh air, exercise, beautify your home and community, and grow delicious fruits and vegetables. However, it is important to keep safety in mind while you work in the garden. Wearing the proper gear will help protect you from lawn and garden pests, harmful chemicals and sharp or motorized equipment. In addition, wearing a face mask while gardening helps protect you from the dust and pollen of plants that can trigger allergies and asthma attacks in some people.

When starting a garden, it’s best to go small. Each plant requires care that is unique to it, and a large garden can quickly become overwhelming for a beginner. Start with what you’re interested in, and expand as you gain experience.

Figure out how much sun your space gets, and pick plants that thrive in that amount of sunlight. Then, determine how much time you’re willing to spend maintaining your garden each week. Some plants require more maintenance, such as perennials that need to be divided each year or annuals that need to be replanted each season.

Watering properly is critical to a successful garden. Make sure to water each plant at the proper times of day. Watering early in the morning or at night helps prevent evaporation and ensures that the plant receives the water it needs to grow. If you have a drip system or soaker hose, it’s also a good idea to monitor the soil for moisture. Over-watering can lead to rot and fungus.

Use proper gardening tools to avoid injury. It’s a good idea to wear gloves, especially when handling hot or prickly plants. A pair of sturdy shoes and long pants will keep your legs and torso safe from scratches and bruises. Avoid lifting heavy objects, as this can cause back injuries and hernias. When working in the sun, wear a hat and sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays.

Keep a Garden Journal

Keep track of each garden plant, as well as the successes and failures. A journal will help you plan your next garden and learn from previous mistakes. The journal will also allow you to reference helpful tips when needed in the future.

It’s essential to take the time to observe your garden each day, especially during the watering process. Doing so will give you the best chance of catching problems like bugs, disease and weeds when they’re small, which is when they are easiest to manage. The more you observe, the easier it will be to maintain your beautiful new garden! Good luck and happy gardening!