공지사항

Starting a Garden

Growing your own fruits, vegetables and herbs can bring a variety of benefits. The food you grow yourself tastes better than what is bought in the stores, and gardening can offer an excellent workout as well as mental peace.

Check the soil prior to you dig to determine what it needs. You can purchase a DIY kit to test the pH and nutrients of your soil.

Preparation

Gardening is rewarding but also time-consuming. The amount of time required can vary from just a few minutes per day to full-time attention, depending on the size and scale of your plants. To begin, you'll need to decide the area you would like your garden to be and what you intend to cultivate. It can be as easy as drawing an outline on the ground, or as intricate as constructing a complete garden layout particularly if you plan to cultivate food. You'll also need to decide how much work you are willing and able to commit to new gardening. If you aren't devoted to regular care should stick with flowers and low-maintenance vegetables such as herbs.

If you're planning to start an herb garden, make sure to check your yard throughout the day. The majority of vegetables require six hours of direct sunlight a day to produce fruit. If you live in a region which is extremely hot, you may be interested in growing your vegetables in the shade in the morning and in the afternoon.

Make sure your garden is clean by removing weeds and debris. Remove the soil to at least 8 inches depth and mix it with compost. This will provide your plants with the nutrition they require to grow strong and healthy.

Vegetables are extremely sensitive to the quality and type of their soil. Make sure that your soil is rich in nutrients, has plenty of organic matter and a good texture. A soil test by the county extension office can tell you exactly what your soil requires.

It is recommended to plant vegetables and perennials in the spring, once the soil is sufficiently warmed and there is no risk of frost. However certain vegetables and flowers can be planted in the fall or winter, so long as the weather stays warm. It is crucial to regularly water your plants after they have been planted in the soil. The soaker or drip hose will allow you to limit the amount of water you are using and also prevent the roots from becoming waterlogged.

Planting

If you're looking to plant flowers that smell good or eat delicious vegetables doing your hands dirty can be one of the most rewarding experiences. Before you become Johnny Appleseed create a new garden vision that is based on the space you have and your level of experience. This will allow you to break the task into manageable steps, which are appropriate for your particular situation.

Healthy soil is the key to a successful garden. Healthy soil is full of organic matter, containing billions of fungi, bacteria and other microbes that aid plants absorb nutrients and fight diseases. The majority of flowers, vegetables and fruits require deep, well-drained soil. Dig a hole as wide and deep as the root ball of the plant you would like to plant. Add compost, well-rotted manure, or other organic materials to the bottom of your hole. This will improve the condition of your soil, and will give your plants a good start.

When planting your vegetable garden, follow the directions on the seed packet or nursery container. If you're planting seeds directly in the soil place them six to eight weeks before the date for the last expected frost for your area. If you're beginning with seedlings in a nursery container carefully remove the seedlings out of the container and plant them as directed.

To ensure proper growth, plants require a consistent schedule of watering. If you reside in an area that has dry climate, you can use drip irrigation or sprinkler systems to keep the soil wet. To cut down on the time you have to spend watering mulches can help retain water and prevent the growth of weeds.

Depending on the growing zone that you reside in, you may choose annuals which need to be replanted each spring or perennials that can be planted year after year. If you are planting an edible raised garden, pick the vegetables your family members will love eating and that develop quickly.

To reduce the amount of weeds you have to pull, think about designing your garden in beds rather than rows. Beds allow you to weed them easier, as you can walk through them without compacting soil. You can also add organic material to each bed to not have to tackle the entire garden at the same time.

Care

If you are growing your own vegetables, flowers and herbs, or fruit trees, it is important to keep them healthy by taking care of them regularly. Deadheading, watering, and weeding are all essential to this. It is also important to keep an eye out for diseases and pests. If you spot any of these signs, remove the affected vegetable or plant and wash all equipment that came in contact with it.

When it comes to watering you need to water your garden regularly enough to keep the soil moist, but not so much that the roots are being waterlogged. You can use drip systems or a timer that is smart to help you achieve this. This is a particularly good idea if you are growing vegetables as they require a lot of water to grow well.

Weeding is a vital aspect of gardening, so ensure you have a weed removal tool like a hoe or rake in your garden tool kit. This will allow you to get rid of any weeds prior to when they start to take over your plants. You can also put in mulch or compost in your garden to reduce the growth of weeds.

The location of your garden is an important factor to take into account. For many vegetables and fruits, full sun is required for them to thrive. Pick a spot that receives at minimum five hours of direct sunlight. You can also plant some greens and root veggies in partial shade, however these plants won't grow as large and may take longer to mature.

It is crucial to walk around your garden daily and examine your plants regularly. This will help you stay current with what is going on in your garden and allow you to monitor any changes that take place. It's also rewarding to see how your hard work is paying off. One of the most enjoyable aspects of gardening is watching your tiny tomato blossoms or hummingbirds visiting your squash blossoms.

Harvesting

A garden can be a rewarding activity, whether you grow delicious vegetables or beautiful flowers. Gardening requires commitment. It takes time to prepare the soil and plant seeds or transplants, maintain the plants as they develop, and then harvest. It's also time-consuming to manage regular tasks like watering, weeding, and pest control. If you don't have the time and energy to dedicate to beginners gardening, you can try buying fresh produce at the local supermarket or planting low maintenance items such as herbs.

The best location for your garden is critical. The more sun they get the better. Be sure to examine your zone of hardiness -- which is the measure of the degree of cold or warm your climate is to determine what plants thrive in your region.

A quality garden soil is vital. Most plants thrive in soil that is nutrient rich deep and well-drained. The best way to ensure your soil is healthy is to work it over several years. The soil should be crumbly or granular, which allows roots to penetrate easily and retains moisture. The best method to test the soil's moisture is pressing a finger down into it (or Start approximately one knuckle). If the soil is dry, you will need to water it. If it's wet, it will get compacted and won't be able support roots.

To prevent overgrowth, continue to perform regular tasks such as weeding and watering your garden. Mulch can help preserve the moisture and help reduce the growth of weeds. Applying pesticides and herbicides are risky even if they're organic or natural. They can cause harm or even destroy beneficial insects or bacteria in your new garden.

Protect your plants by fencing them or using nets. As the plant grows, you should take away any wilted or ones with a disease, and fertilize if necessary. You can combat insects and diseases in your garden with a natural spray or a product purchased at an outdoor garden store. As you harvest, be sure to harvest your vegetables and herbs in a timely manner to ensure they remain at their peak.