How to Start Gardening

Now that the sun is shining, the birds are chirping and the leaves are growing back on the trees, we all know that spring is here! One of the many pleasures of spring is that we can enjoy our garden. Here are some tips that anyone can use for their garden this spring.

Starting the Garden
The first step in starting your garden is to plan it. Many people sketch a layout and plan their gardens on paper before doing anything else, so that they can get a grasp of what they need to purchase, what they need to do, and how the garden will look when finished. There are plenty of resources for this online, to help you out. When planning your garden, be sure you factor in the environmental conditions surrounding your area, to help you choose the right plants. Once you have planned the look of your garden, you can move on with preparing for planting.

Preparing for Planting
Here is where things start to get interesting. You will need to take your Spring Gardening plan with you when you shop for soils, plant bulbs, seeds, and other gardening equipment. This will help you make sure you have everything you need in one trip, and that you have all the tools for growing a healthy garden. After you have everything you need, it is time to prepare the land for the plants. Clear out any dead foliage. Improve your soil with fertilizers and compost heaps, and make sure the ground is ready for planting. When you are sure that you are ready to begin planting the garden, then you can move on the next step.

Planting the Garden
Here comes the fun part. Following the plan that you drew up earlier, and the instructions that came with the bulbs and seeds you purchased, plant your garden accordingly. Be prepared to spend a hefty amount of time on this step, as this should be done with the utmost care. When you have finished planting all your bulbs and seeds, water the garden if necessary, and wait for the blooms to start appearing.

Caring for the Garden
To help keep the weeds out of the garden, and the water in it, you should cover your seedlings with a few inches of mulch. This will ensure that the garden stays healthy when you cannot tend to it, and help you along. The most important thing about caring for a garden is to make sure you keep up with it. Water the plants whenever necessary, pull the weeds before they get so big they try to take over, and always remember to stop and smell the flowers!

Nothing says you have to have a green thumb to be successful when it comes to spring gardening. All it takes is a little planning, tender love, and care, and you will soon be able to bask in the beautiful glory of your own garden. Following these steps will make you a gardening pro in no time!

Submitted by: Cindy Watrous

Photo Provided by Imagina