How to Start Your First Garden

Starting a garden can seem like an incredibly daunting experience, but by following the steps below you can learn how to create your own garden no matter how much space you have. I heard once that a garden can only be defined by its gardener. There is no judgement in gardening, it is only you, your mind, and how you use the space around you. Gardening can be an incredibly rewarding experience, allowing individuals to connect with nature, and cultivate beautiful spaces. The process involves several key steps that can help ensure a successful gardening venture.

Ask Yourself...

There are a few questions to ask yourself when starting a garden. With my consulting, I can help answer some of these questions and more but if you want to do this on your own, some of the main questions to ask are:

• What do I want to get out of growing a garden?

• How much time do I want to put into my Garden each week?

• Do I want to grow flowers or vegetables?

  
  

Soil is the Secret to the Best Gardens

I had the unfortunate experience of jumping into gardening by researching flowers first before understanding the importance of soil. I wasted a lot of money on seeds and plants that weren't right for my soil. Soil is the food of plants, if it is not nutrient dense it can't feed the plants; if it doesn't retain moisture, the plants won't get the water they need. Really look at your soil. Is it sandy? rocky? muddy? clay? This will determine what you need to add to the soil as well as what plants you'll be most successful growing. A Mediterranean plant that needs full sun and sandy soil will not thrive in a wetland and a wetland plant won't survive sandy soil and direct sunlight. You can amend your soil to add more organic matter to an extent but you can't completely change the environment so it is better to work with the soil you have and pick the right plants for the space.

Start Small

Create a layout on paper to help visualize the size of the beds you want to grow and the arrangements of plants. From this plan, pick one bed this season that you want to create. Trace the garden bed out with spray paint or a hose to get the shape you want. Remove the top layer of turf. Do not try to skip this step. This step is needed to really understand your soil's texture and is when you can start mixing in soil amendments like manure, organic fertilizer, grit (for clay soils), and other types of organic matter. It will also make planting so much easier once you are ready to buy your plants.

Research

Once you ask yourself these questions and decide on the answers, the next steps would be to research the best plants to grow for the outcome you desire as well as for the climate you are in. I would be happy to provide this information with a consultation but you also can do a lot of your own research online. A few ways that I learned about gardening was through TV shows (specifically older versions of "Gardener's World", Garden Nursery Websites that allow you to sort by Zone or growing conditions, as well as a variety of books on gardening. The biggest mistake a new gardener can make is to spend hundreds of dollars on new plants without having the right place to put them or knowing whether they are the right plant for your space.

It is easy to walk through a garden and pick out plants that you like. However, keeping them alive and thriving is the hard part if you haven't done any of the prep work.

Planting

When it’s time to plant, follow the specific instructions for each type of plant regarding depth and spacing. Generally, it’s best to plant in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat of the day. Perennials will take several years to really establish but should come back every year if you buy them for the Zone you are in. Annuals only last one year and are usually planted in the spring and should grow quickly during the gardening season but will typically die off with the cold weather. Water the plants thoroughly after planting to help them settle into their new environment. If you’re planting seeds, ensure they are sown at the correct depth and covered lightly with soil, followed by gentle watering.

I recommend when you are starting out, to start with purchasing a few hardy perennials from your nursery instead of starting from seed. There are so many different types of plants you can grow from seed and it is easy to spend a lot of money on seed packets because you think it will be cheaper. But until you have a strong baseline knowledge about gardening, there is a lot that you can mess up along the way if you are growing from seed.

Watering and Maintenance

Regular watering is crucial for the growth and health of your garden. Establish a consistent watering schedule, keeping in mind that different plants have varying water needs. Mulching around plants can help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and maintain a consistent soil temperature. Additionally, be vigilant about checking for pests and diseases, and take appropriate measures to manage them without harming beneficial insects. I will write more about maintaining pests and diseases in later blog posts.

Reflecting and Planning for the Future

After the growing season concludes, take time to reflect on what worked well and what could be improved for next time. Consider keeping a gardening journal to document your experiences, including planting dates, weather conditions, and any challenges faced. This information will be invaluable for planning future gardens, helping you to refine your techniques and expand your gardening knowledge.

By following these steps, you can embark on a fulfilling journey of gardening, creating a space that not only enhances your home but also provides fresh produce and a deeper appreciation for the natural world.