There are many reasons why you might want to start a garden. You can grow your own food; it’s a fun hobby; it provides you with plenty of physical exercise; you get to spend time in the fresh air and sunlight. Regardless of your reasons, you surely want to get off on the right foot. Here is a short guide that will help you on your way and increase your crop yield.
Choose what you will grow
The first decision that you will have to make is what you will grow in your garden. If you’re only growing these plants for yourself, grow what you and other household members like to eat. If you plan on selling produce, go for what is in high demand in your area. Something else to think about is which plants will grow best in the conditions you can provide them with.
Find the right spot
Speaking of conditions, you need to find the right spot for your garden. For example, there are plants that require full sun, which means that they need at least six hours of sunlight per day, such as tomatoes, eggplant, corn, squash, and cucumber. On the other hand, some plants can grow in partial shade. If this is better suited to your garden, opt for broccoli, beets, cauliflower, kale, and lettuce.
Clear up debris
Before you start planting, you want to clear the ground. Get rid of all debris that might have accumulated over time. Also, dispose of various weeds and other plants that might be in the way.
Test the soil
Once the ground is clear, it’s time to test the soil to see what you’re actually working with. You can order a kit online and do it yourself, but it might be better to take a sample to a local gardening center and have it professionally tested. These tests can show you what the pH level of the ground is and whether it suits the plants you’ve chosen. Moreover, you can also see if the soil is lacking some essential nutrients that will help the plants thrive.
Improve the soil
With the results, you will know if you have to improve the soil. You can use various types of fertilizers to add nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus to the soil, which will ensure your plants can succeed. Moreover, maybe you need to adjust the pH levels as well. Here, you also have the choice of going organic and using only natural ingredients or opting for the non-organic approach.
Pick from seeds and seedlings
When it comes to planting, you should know that you can choose from seeds and seedlings. Each approach has its own benefits, so it’s a good idea to do some research to see which method would suit you best.
Invest in the necessary tools
In addition to choosing the right plants, you also need to look for the right tools.Companies like Hoselink US offer everything from garden hoses to garden forks, trowels, and spades, so it’s easy to find everything you need. Don’t forget to equipyourself for working outside either – invest in quality gloves, knee pads, and hats as well.
Plant carefully
Having acquired all the seeds and seedlings as well as the necessary tools, it’s time to plant. Most packets and containers have basic instructions on them, but you still want to be careful when planting. For one, you need to know how deeply to plant seeds and how far apart to place them. Furthermore, you should also be sure all danger of frost has passed to ensure none of your plants are damaged.
Know when to water and feed
Then, you also need to look into each plant you have and learn how often it needs to be watered and fed. Each plant has its own specific requirements, but a rule of thumb you could follow is giving them about an inch of water per week. Moreover, keep in mind that overwatering can be worse than underwatering. You also need to find the right fertilizer for your plants.
Protect from weeds and pests
Lastly, you cannot forget about weeds and pests. Besides using herbicides and insecticides, you can also use some natural alternatives that will keep these dangerous organisms at bay. For example, mulching is a great practice that you can easily adopt.
Keep these ten things in mind when starting your garden. From picking the right plants to equipping yourself with the necessary tools all the way to protecting the garden from pests, don’t forget something crucial for great success.