With spring and warm weather finally here, and with trees turning green, flowers blooming, and blossoms everywhere, it’s time to start thinking about a garden (if you haven’t already!).
There are so many benefits to having your own garden, but my favorite is saving money on vegetables that you can grow yourself. We eat a ton of fresh veggies, so having them available from our own garden is a huge perk. Gardening is also a fun hobby to keep you busy (and productive!).
We love gardening, but we haven’t always done it right. It can be a learning process, so don’t give up if you have a few failures. If you’re new to gardening and don’t have green thumb YET, we’re here to help! Here are a few tips and tricks that will make starting your own garden much easier and more enjoyable.
Tips for Starting Your Own Vegetable Garden
1. Read Up/Plan Ahead: When it comes to starting anything new, I highly recommend doing as much research as possible on various topics that interests you. When it comes to gardening, make sure to read about plants that do best in your area and how to prepare your gardening plot for planting. Then create a plan of what you want to grow. Start with simple vegetables that will be easy to manage and take care of and slowly progress into more difficult plants. Start with vegetables that you know your family already loves.
2. Don’t Go Too Big: Try to refrain from planting too many things at once. Having so much going on in your garden at once may become a bit overwhelming and too much to handle. If you keep it simple and plant just a couple of different things, you’ll find your new hobby much more enjoyable and manageable. You can always add more plants later.
3. Pick The Right Spot: Most vegetable garden plants need several hours of sunlight each day, so choose the location of your garden carefully. Before planting, watch your yard and see how the sun moves across the space. Check plants to see which require full sun and which are happy with shade. And don’t underestimate the value of choosing a spot that is easy to access. Plant your garden in a spot that you won’t miss (out the kitchen window, near the mailbox etc) and near a water source so that it’s easy to remember and access when it’s time to water, weed, and harvest.
4. Prepare the Ground: Good soil goes a long way (and bad soil can doom a garden before you’ve even started it). Organic matter is going to be your garden’s best bet, so adding compost, dry leaves and grass clippings, or manure to the existing dirt and either stirring it up or layering on top will help to enrich the soil. You can get a soil testing kit (Amazon link) to see what your soil is lacking (or what it has too much of) and make changes based on the results.
5. Share: Typically, one packet of seeds will get you a plentiful supply of whatever you are planting. Produce typically does not last a long time, so if you are not going to be able to use up your whole supply, share with your friends, family, and neighbors. This way nothing will go to waste and everyone benefits.
Gardening can be a really fun and relaxing hobby…and one that results in delicious, freshly grown veggies. What’s not to love? If you’re a newbie in the gardening department, take some of these tips into account and you will be well on your way to stocking your kitchen with delicious homegrown vegetables.
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Thanks for the great tips. My friend is starting a garden for the first time, this will be helpful for her.
I am preparing the ground right now, and have been growing my starter plants inside to get a head start when I can begin planting warm weather plants. In my area it will be soon! I love planting vegetables and eating them They taste so much better than the store.