Tips For Your First Home Garden

Gardening is such a rewarding experience. All of your hard work will pay off with beautiful flowerbeds or delicious flavors. However, there are so many options for what to plant that you might be wondering where to start. If you’re new to gardening and starting from scratch, here are a few tips for starting your very first home garden. 

Make Your First Home Garden Visible

Location, Location, Location: Deciding where to start your garden is key to its success. Our advice is to make sure that your garden is in an area where you can see it frequently. This advice applies whether you choose an in-ground garden, a raised bed, or potted plants. Making your garden visible will make it more likely for you to spend time in it! It’s a great way to spruce up your landscape.

Should I plant in the ground or in a container?

Planting your garden in containers or pots is a great choice if space is limited. Make sure that you choose a container that’s large enough for your plant to grow and thrive. You should also make sure to choose a container that drains well. 

Know Your Sunshine

You should also make sure that your first home garden is in an area where it will receive the right amount of sunlight. Once you have decided what you would like to plant in your garden, you will know how many hours of sunlight your plants will need each day. Most plants need 6-8 hours of full sun each day. 

If you are lacking in sunshine, don’t worry – there are many plants, like hostas and outdoor ferns, that will do well in the shade. Knowing how much sunlight your yard has will help you decide what to plant in your garden. 

Where’s the water?

A great gardening tip is to make sure that your garden is near a source of water. Having close, easy access to a faucet or hose will keep you from having to lug water back and forth every time your plants need water. However, make sure your garden isn’t in a place where water tends to pool and might drown your plants. 

When you are first starting your garden, your plants will need frequent watering. Seedlings should never dry out! As your plants grow larger, you can gradually reduce your watering frequency. How often you water your plants will depend on the soil, humidity, and rainfall in your area. Be careful not to over-water your plants.

When you water your plants, water slowly so that it soaks into the ground and gets to the roots. Watering your plants early in the morning can help prevent evaporation and help your water soak deep into the soil. 

Invest in Your Soil

It pays off to invest in soil that is rich in nutrients. If you are starting your first home garden in the ground, you can improve your soil by adding compost or by blending store-bought nutrient-rich soil with the existing soil in the ground. If you are gardening in a container or raised garden bed, choose the appropriate soil to help your plants grow best. 

Know Your Seasons

Learning your seasons is another key to keeping your garden happy. Find out when the last average spring frost date is for your area so that you don’t put your plants out too early. You should also learn when your first average fall frost date is so that you know when to move your plants indoors. Learn more about the frost dates for your location. 

Plants Need Food, Too

Did you know that plants also need food? In addition to sunlight and water, you can keep your plants happy by giving them plant food starting about a month after planting. 

Starting your first home garden can be a significant amount of work, but the rewards are worth it. With these tips in mind, keep working on your garden and you’re sure to be successful.