Starting a garden from scratch as a beginner can seem daunting. One of the best ways to ease into gardening is to break your project down into manageable steps. Whether you want to start a vegetable garden, a flower garden, or maybe both, this step-by-step guide will soon have you enjoying the delicious flavors and colorful blooms you grew up with.
Consider What to Plant
Do you want to plant a vegetable garden? An herb garden? A flower garden? If you choose vegetables and herbs for their contributions to your dinner table, plant ones your family will eat or be willing to try. If you want flowers for their color and fragrance, decide whether you want annuals that bloom most of the summer but need to replant each spring or perennials that have a shorter bloom time but return year after year. Each one, or even a combination, makes a stunning garden but will have different maintenance requirements.
Pick the Best Garden Spot
Almost all vegetables and many types of flowering plants need 6-8 hours of full sun each day. So, you must observe your yard throughout the day to determine which spots receive full sun versus partial or full shade. Don’t worry if your yard is shady primarily: You won’t be able to grow tomatoes in the shade, but many other plants (such as hostas and outdoor ferns) will do just fine. Check plant tags or ask the staff at your local garden center to help you understand how much sun a plant needs.
Pick a relatively flat spot for your garden if possible. It’s more difficult, time-consuming, and potentially expensive to manage a sloping garden. Make sure your new garden has easy access to a water source.
Clear the Ground
Get rid of weeds and sod in the area you plan to plant. If you want quick results—for example, if it’s already spring and you want veggies this summer—cut it out. Slice under the sod with a spade. Cut the sod into sections to make it easier to remove.
For a longer-term project, using the lasagna gardening method is more accessible: Cover your future garden with five sheets of newspaper; double that amount if your lawn is Bermuda grass or St. Augustine grass. Spread a 3-inch layer of compost (or a combination of potting soil and topsoil) on the newspaper. Water everything and wait. It’ll take about four months for the compost and paper to decompose. But if you start in the fall, you’ll have a bed ready to plant with no grass or weeds and plenty of rich soil by spring.
Test and Improve Your Soil
To learn more about your soil, have a soil test done through your cooperative extension office. They’ll lead you through the procedure: How much soil to send from which parts of the garden and the best time to obtain samples. Expect a two-week wait for the findings to tell you what your soil lacks and how to amend it. You can also use a DIY kit that may be less detailed but will give you an idea of your soil’s nutrient levels.
Residential soil almost always needs a boost, especially in new construction where the topsoil may have been stripped away. In addition to being low in essential plant nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, your soil may also need better drainage or be compacted. The solution is usually simple: Adding plenty of organic matter.
Add a 2—to 3-inch layer of compost to the soil when you dig or till a new bed. If you decide not to dig or are working with an established bed, leave the organic matter on the surface, where it will eventually turn into humus (organic material). Earthworms will do most of the work of mixing humus into the subsoil.
Prepare Your Planting Beds
Loosening the soil in new beds before sowing or planting helps new roots grow more quickly and access the water and nutrients they need. There are two methods: tilling with a mechanical device such as a rototiller or digging by hand. The first one is a good method when you need to mix in large amounts of amendments. However, it’s easy to overdo it, which will damage the soil structure. Digging is more practical for preparing small beds.
Either way, work the soil only when it’s moist enough to form a loose ball in your fist but dry enough to fall apart when you drop it. Digging when the soil is too dry is more complex work, and you can damage the soil structure if it’s too wet. Use a spade or spading fork to gently turn the top 6-8 inches of soil, mixing in the organic matter from Step 4 simultaneously. Walking on prepared beds compacts the soil, so lay down plywood boards temporarily to evenly distribute your weight.
Pick Your Plants
Some people pore over catalogs for months; others head to the garden center and grab whatever catches their eye. Either way, choosing plants adapted to your climate, soil, and sunlight is most important. Here are a few easy-to-grow plants for beginners:
Annuals: Calendula, cosmos, geraniums, impatiens, marigolds, sunflowers, and zinnias
Perennials: Black-eyed Susans, daylilies, lamb’s ears, pansies, phlox, purple coneflowers, and Russian sage
Vegetables: Cucumbers, lettuce, peppers, and tomatoes
Start Planting
Some plants, such as pansies and kale, tolerate cold so you can plant them in autumn or late winter. On the other hand, tomatoes and most annual flowers prefer warm temperatures, so wait to plant them until the danger of frost has passed in your area. Mid-spring and mid-autumn are good times to plant perennials.
Many annuals are easy to grow from seed sown directly in the garden. Read the seed packet for planting time, depth, and spacing information. If you’re an adventurous beginner, get a head start on the growing season by sowing seeds indoors a few weeks before the last frost date. There are containers or flats designed especially for seedlings and seed-starting soil mixes available at garden centers. Follow seed packet instructions and place the containers on a sunny windowsill or under grow lights if you don’t have window space. Keep the seeds and seedlings moist but not wet, or they may rot.
A more straightforward method of starting your garden is to buy young plants that you can transplant where you want them to grow. Dig holes in your prepared bed based on tag instructions. Remove plants from the container by pushing them up from the bottom. If the roots have grown into a big ball (known as being root-bound), use an old fork or your fingers to untangle some outer roots before setting it into the hole. Pat soil around the roots, then soak the soil with water.
Water at the Right Time
Seedlings should never be allowed to dry out, so water daily. Taper off as the plants get larger. Transplants also need frequent watering (every other day or so) until their roots become established. After that, how often you need to water depends on your soil, humidity, and rainfall, though once a week is an excellent place to start.
Clay soil dries out more slowly than sandy soil, so you won’t need to water it as often. Sunny, windy conditions dry out soil quicker than excellent, cloudy weather. Are you still trying to figure it out? Feel the soil 3-4 inches below the surface. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. Water slowly and deeply so the water soaks in instead of running off. Water should be used in the early morning to minimize evaporation.
Mulch Your New Garden
Cover the soil with a couple of inches of mulch to help keep weeds out and moisture in. You won’t have to water as often, and by preventing sunlight from hitting the soil, you’ll prevent weed seeds from germinating. Just make sure not to mulch over seeds you want to grow, or they may not sprout either.
Choose from various mulches with benefits, including shredded bark, straw, and river rock. Using organic mulch, such as bark, compost, or straw, will nourish the soil as it decomposes. For a vegetable garden or bed of annuals, choose a mulch that decomposes in a few months. For perennials, use a longer-lasting mulch such as bark chips.
Maintain Your Garden Regularly
As your garden grows, help it reach its full potential by keeping up with garden chores. Water the plants before they wilt. Pull weeds before they go to seed. Get rid of dead, dying, and diseased vegetation. Banish destructive insects by picking them off the plant and dropping them into a bucket of sudsy water, hosing them off, or using an insecticidal soap purchased at a garden center. Support tall plants (such as tomatoes) with a trellis, stake, or a tepee. Also, harvest vegetables as soon as they’re ready. And remember to stop and smell the…well, whatever it is you’re growing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, embarking on the journey of starting a garden can be a rewarding and fulfilling endeavor for beginners. The ten easy steps outlined provide a solid foundation, offering practical guidance and essential tips to ensure success in cultivating a thriving garden. From selecting the right location and soil to choosing appropriate plants and implementing proper watering techniques, these steps serve as a comprehensive guide for those venturing into gardening for the first time. By embracing the joy of nurturing plants and witnessing the growth of a vibrant garden, beginners can enjoy nature’s beauty and experience the satisfaction of creating and maintaining a flourishing green space. With patience, dedication, and the knowledge gained from these steps, anyone can confidently embark on their gardening journey and reap the numerous benefits it brings to both mind and soul. Happy gardening!