- At some point and time in our lives, we get the urge to plant seeds in our little piece of the planet. Even those of us who were not born with a green thumb decide to tempt fate. The idea of enjoying a flower or tasting a vegetable that we planted as a seed, becomes a challenge for us.
When our grandparents gardened, it was taught to them by their parents. If people did not grow their food, many times they would not eat. From the time a child could drag a bucket in the dirt, their farming education had begun. Recent generations no longer need to grow their food to survive, but they often choose to put in a garden for the joy of growing and the wonderful taste that only comes with fresh grown fruits and vegetables.
Getting started
Getting started with a garden for the first time can be a bit intimidating. But, there is no need to fear. There are plenty of free gardening apps that will help you. The plant identifier is a handy thing to have on your phone. I mean, you don’t want to get confused and start nursing a weed. Other helpful items on the app include a watering reminder, tips on growing, soil preparation, and how and where to plant seeds.
Our favorite apps for beginner gardens are GrowIt! and The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Seeds and things
Many people think they can stop by the gardening section of a department store and just buy what they see. Of course, you can do that. But there are some drawbacks to this plan. A garden is not just a bunch of plants that grow in the same area. It is important to know what to plant, when to plant, and where to plant. You need to consider these things when you are preparing to garden. How many hours of sunlight will your garden get? The average garden needs about 6 hours of sun. Will the garden get plenty of rain? If not, how do you plan to irrigate the garden? These very basic questions will need to be addressed. Now you will choose your seed vendor.
Quality websites like https://www.myseedneeds.com/ are specialists in gardening. They can answer your questions and help you select the right variety of you need to order. The seeds are fresh and sent right to your door.
It doesn’t matter where you live or how the climate is in your part of the country. There are vegetables that grow where there is a lot of sunshine and hardly any sun at all. There are vegetables that grow where spring comes early and where the colder months seem to never end. You simply need to put the work in and understand what you are planting. If you give the plants what they need, you will be rewarded.
Tools
We get it. You are excited. You are ready to put in your bumper crop of blue-ribbon veggies. You have on a really cool straw hat and you have tucked your jeans into the best rubber boots you could find.
Have you ever watched a demo at the supermarket for a new gadget that slices, dices, peals, and cores? It has more blades than a Swiss army knife, and never needs sharpening. The thing is, by the time you find the blade you need have given up and ate the apple. Gardening tools are a lot like that. By the basics and if a job comes along that requires a tool you will need more than once, buy it. But, in the meantime use the easiest tool for the job. You will need:
- Hand Rake and long-handle bow-rakes
- Garden scissors
- Weeder
- Hand pruner
- Garden knife
- Round-headed shovel
- Spade (good for transplanting)
- Water hose and sprayer
- Digging Fork
- Mattock
- Pruner
Pests
Before you begin, take some time to research pests that you will likely encounter. Prevention is alway
s easier than damage control. Know what to look for and what to do if your plants come under attack.
You will learn everything you need to know as you go. So, go on and plant your garden. Give it all you’ve got and you will enjoy a great summer filled with flavor and it tastes sweet.
