How To Start Your First Garden

You just came home from the grocery store and the fresh vegetables did not look so fresh to you. You are no longer willing to pay high prices for cut flowers that are grown in unsafe conditions where the workers are paid low wages. You want a steady supply of fresh herbs to enhance your cooking.

Whatever the reason that is driving you the decision has been made it is time to have a garden. But wait, you have never had a garden, a houseplant or two, but that’s it. Aren’t gardens a lot of work and isn’t it expensive for the return you get

The answer to both question is no.

This primer will help you plan and design your first garden; it does not matter what you decide to grow, vegetables flower, herbs or all three, the steps are the same.

Step One:

There are two questions you need to answer at this point.

1- What do you want to grow?

2- How much time to you have to garden, each day, and week?

It is important to match your schedule to you interests; you do not want to start a garden that is too big, as it is likely to become a burden and that will take all the fun out of the project.

It is equally important not to put in a garden that is too small as yoru yield, what you get back for your labor, will be smaller than you expected and you will be disappointed and perhaps discouraged.

Step Two:

Now is the time for the garden plan. Don’t panic, this is simple; a plan helps you stay on track, makes maximum use of yoru gardening time, is fun and can be changed whenever you desire.

You now know what you want to grow and how much time you are willing to commit to the growing and maintenance. Now you must determine:

1- Where will your garden grow? The backyard most likely but where, well for most cut flowers, herbs and vegetables you want a spot that gets full sun for 5-6 hours a day, minimum.

2- How big will it be? The size depends upon what you want to grow and how much. A good cut flower garden can be fairly small in feet 6x6 will do; same for an herb garden. Now unless you are prepared to convert your whole backyard into a vegetable garden and even then, you are not going to grow all the food your family needs, so pick you 3-5 favourite vegetables and focus on them.

3- Homework time. You need too know the plants you plant to grow, the public library can be a great source of information as can the Internet. You can also visit a local plant nursery and have a chat with the manger.

4- Put the right plant in the right place and it will thrive.

Read this hub, for details on building the garden bed. Speaking of reading, if you are planting seeds read the seed package. The information there is meant to be followed, so do so. If you are using plants then read the tag that should be in the pot with the plant, same story; I it is not then ask.

Gardening is a rewarding activity that does not have to be difficult or time consuming, just be sure to build the garden that matches your needs, wants and schedule.