How to Start a Garden at Home and Get a Green Thumb
Living
A garden is a fantastic way to get outside more, breathe in the fresh air, and even get some exercise. If you’ve never planted anything in your life, or you’ve longed to tend garden beds but are unsure of where to start, this is your guide on how to start a garden.
Gardening 101: Dive in and Get Your Hands Dirty
The best way to learn home gardening? Just begin. You’ll learn more by doing than by any amount of research. However, everybody needs a starting point.
Get the Lay of the Land
Before you can start digging in the dirt, you need to eke out where you’re going to do it.
Look around your yard. Are there obvious planting areas (for instance, flower beds, pre-existing vegetable plots, or even just a dirt patch)? If there is no place that looks good for planting, you can buy oversized pots at a home store.
If there are existing plants, decide what you want to keep and what you want to remove.
Decide What You Want to Plant and Tend
You probably have specific plants in mind for your garden. Are you hoping to tend a plot full of fresh veggies? Do you want a lush landscape with flowers? Or would you prefer to cultivate a few fruit trees?
Decide what you want, then research which plants you can grow in your zone. Some species are not suited to particular climates or soil conditions. Find out what will grow best in your area before you hit the nursery.
Gather Your Tools
Every gardener needs a basic arsenal of tools. You will need:
- Gardening gloves
- A trowel (for digging holes for planting)
- A weeding tool
- A shovel (for preparing larger garden beds, and for planting larger plants)
- A rake (for spreading mulch, raking leaves, and other tasks)
- A hand pruner (for pruning and cutting back plants)
- A garden hose with a sprayer attachment or a watering can
Create a Plan
Once you have your tools and a list of the plants you want, you need to make a plan. Where will each plant go? How many different beds or plots will you have?
Make this easier on yourself by taking a research trip to a nursery. Note plants you like along with their sun and water requirements. This will help you decide where to place them so they can flourish.
Keep it Simple
You may be gung-ho about your garden, but if you’re a novice, take it easy. Buying too many different plants with different care requirements can equal burnout – and a garden that doesn’t succeed.
Instead, keep your garden simple until your skills improve. Start with two or three species that require relatively low-maintenance. Master basic gardening 101, and then expand your repertoire.
Growing a garden is a fantastic hobby as well as a great way to beautify your yard and home. So, dig in, get planting, and reap the benefits of home gardening.
