Contents[Hide]

Gardening Tips

People often peg gardening as one of the most rewarding and therapeutic  of hobbies,  but it does take a little patience and some homework to get started.  Deciding what you want to plant and where you want to plant, it is only the beginning.  Check out these gardening tips to help get you started on planting a green oasis right in your own backyard. 

For Starters

  • Stay small.  If you're just starting to garden, it's best to stick to a small space that you can more easily manage and from which you can reap benefits.  But if you're determined to do your whole yard as your first project, then work in sections so you can focus your attention on one area at a time.
  • It's all about the mulch.   To cut down on tricky weeding,  why not place mulch around the plants?  This also aids in temperature control and water retention.
  • Water power.  More water less frequently helps maintain healthy plants in the beginning growing stages.
  • Rise and shine.  Water plants early in the morning so they have time to dry during the day, but won't dry out.  This also helps prevent fungal diseases.  

Garden Tricks

To grow a garden fit for the cover of your favourite magazine, test out these simple tricks.

  • Remain pesticide  free for healthy, natural looking flora.  Instead, opt for a dish-washing liquid and vegetable oil mix to rid your garden patch of mites, aphids, whiteflies and other pests.
  • If spring in your neck of the woods tends to be on the colder, wetter side, try getting a head-start indoors with your more delicate plants--veggies like tomatoes and peppers.  This protects the seedlings from the poor weather as well as harmful insects and animals.
  • Try planting perennial and hybrid plants.   They last longer and can thrive in almost any environment given the right supervision.

What To Buy

Bulbs 

Bulbs are underground vertical shoots that require being planted at different depths depending on the size of the mature plant they will ultimately sprout.  Tulips are some of the most common bulb plants.

 

Shrubs and Trees 

 Take space into consideration when planting shrubs and trees. Plant them with reasonable distances between one another so that each plant has room to grow.  And be prepared for a lot of upkeep--shrubs and trees require vigilant pruning.

Fertilizer and Soil 

Soil and fertilizer contain minerals for optimum plant growth.  Make sure to read your fertilizer package in order to add appropriate amounts that will not upset the soil pH balance. 

Perennials 

 Perennials grow over the spring and summer, die in the autumn and winter, then return in the spring from their root stock rather than from seedlings, like annual plants.  These are great for gardeners who are looking for low maintenance plants.

Related Guides

Theme Gardens 

Gardening Hand Tools 

External Links