When you show interest to start gardening, the amount of information you need to understand could be overwhelming. It seems difficult where to start and if you should seek guidance on the internet or should you ask your neighbors or read a book. Unfortunately, most beginner gardeners make countless mistakes without even knowing that this is the case. This is why, as a beginner, you need to remember the following simple tips that should not be neglected.
Know Your Hardiness Zone Of Your Region
What does the hardiness zone really mean? Did you know that all plants have a temperature range where they can survive? Most new gardeners just buy plants not knowing the first freeze the plant will die. This is how most gardeners learn the hard way. Plants cannot grow everywhere. What you will plant is always determined by the region where you live. Think about the garden area and all the important characteristics, ranging from sun exposure to climate.
When you know your region and understand how it impacts gardening, you understand all possibilities available and the limits that you have to remember. If you have no idea what to do, simply contact a local garden center. Someone there will surely tell you about the very best native plants and offer more information to take into account.
Testing your Soil
One key area of understanding about your gardening soil if it drains. We all have different types of soils and some are fast draining and others are clay. Dig a hole and about a half a meter down and fill it up with water. The goal is to see if the water drains within two days. If yes your good.
If you are a naturalist and take showers outside, understand that warm water can kill the roots of the plant is you don’t drain the water correctly. If the water isn’t warm enough for your outdoor shower, we’ve contacted hot water repairs specialists to help us out.
Test the soil to know its nutrient and pH levels. When there are problems noticed, seriously consider changing your soil or simply adding something extra if you want to grow some specific plants that require a different nutrient/pH level.
Alternatively, use an at-home testing kit. It will tell you how alkaline or acidic the soil is. Different plants will always thrive in specific conditions and you need to offer those exact conditions.
Gardening With Easy Plants
If you are a beginner, start with vegetables. They grow fast and in the event that you make a mistake, you do not end up losing a lot of money. You can also consider sunflowers. They grow tall and really quick. Alternatively, consider the easier-to-grow ferns, which can actually be grown in most parts of the world.
The reason why this tip makes sense is that if you are successful with your first gardening attempts, you will be inspired. There is simply a much lower possibility that you will give up.
Always Have A Plan
This practically means that you need to learn how big plants grow so you can properly plan the garden. You avoid crowding, which is a common error with most beginner gardeners. For instance, perennials need to be spaced at a space of around 18 inches from another plant. You thus get enough room for the plant to grow and the garden will not end up looking as if it is overcrowded.
Keep Notes
Using a journal is all about always being aware of the big picture. You write down what you do in the garden and what happens with the plants you care for. Notes can even help you keep track of some of the plants that you think about planting in the future. No matter the reason, a gardening journal allows you to control the garden more and feel better about the results.