Choosing the Right Plants for Your Garden
Choosing plants suited to your local climate and gardening conditions is key. The last thing you want is to invest time and money into plants that won’t thrive!
Consider your zone.
Check which USDA plant hardiness zone you live in to determine which plants will survive winter in your area. Choose plants rated for your zone or warmer.
Think about sunlight.
Know how much sun your garden gets – full sun (6+ hours), partial sun (3-6 hours), or shade. Select plants that match. Sun-loving plants like tomatoes and zinnias need full sun, while hostas and impatiens prefer shade.
Factor in moisture.
Choose plants with moisture needs that match your local rainfall and what you’re willing to water. Drought-resistant succulents need little water, while asters and bee balm require consistent moisture.
Match your soil.
Most plants have soil preferences like acidic, alkaline or neutral. Test your soil’s pH and nutrient levels so you can choose plants that will thrive in it. Azaleas love acidic soil, while bulbs prefer alkaline.
Consider your experience.
If you’re new to gardening, start with easy, low-maintenance plants like petunias, marigolds or coneflowers. They’re more forgiving of imperfect conditions and neglect. Save finicky plants like orchids or bonsai for when you have more experience.
Following these tips will set your garden up for success and turn your green thumb dreams into reality. With the right plants in the right place, you’ll be harvesting homegrown veggies, enjoying colorful flowers and seeing birds and butterflies flock to your yard in no time!
Preparing Your Garden Beds and Soil
To get your garden beds ready for planting, there are a few important steps to take.
First, determine the location. Choose a spot in your yard that gets plenty of sunlight and has fertile, well-drained soil. If you don’t have an ideal location, you can build raised garden beds and fill them with high-quality gardening soil and compost.
Next, test your soil to determine if it has the right pH balance and nutrients to support healthy plant growth. Most plants prefer soil with a pH between 6 and 7. You can buy an inexpensive soil testing kit to check the pH, as well as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium levels.Mix in compost or fertilizer as needed based on the test results.
Then, clear the area of any weeds, grass or debris. Use a hoe, tiller or your hands to remove anything that isn’t soil from your garden bed area. Add a layer of mulch like straw, grass clippings or wood chips around the bed to suppress weeds.
Finally, loosen and aerate the soil. Use a rototiller, shovel or garden fork to turn over the top 6 to 8 inches of soil. Break up any large clumps as you go. Adding compost or peat moss at this stage helps provide organic matter to improve drainage and moisture retention. Smooth and level the surface with a rake.
Your garden bed is now ready for planting! Add transplants or seeds and water thoroughly. Check on your garden regularly and water when the top few inches of soil are dry. Weed, fertilize and monitor for common garden pests. With some patience and care, you’ll be harvesting homegrown veggies, herbs and flowers in no time!
Planting Seeds and Seedlings
Planting seeds and seedlings is rewarding work that yields delicious homegrown produce.
Start with high-quality seeds
Purchase seeds from a reputable nursery, not a big box store. Seeds lose viability over time, so check the “packed for” date to ensure freshness. Heirloom and open-pollinated seeds can be saved and replanted, while hybrid seeds will not produce true-to-type plants if saved.
Prepare the soil
Turn over the top 6 to 8 inches of soil with a shovel or rototiller. Remove weeds, rocks and debris. Add compost or other organic matter to improve drainage and provide nutrients. For the best results, test your soil’s pH and nutrient levels. Most veggies and fruits prefer soil with a slightly acidic pH between 6 and 7.
Follow spacing guidelines
Don’t overcrowd your seedlings or seeds. Thin seedlings or space seeds according to the recommendations on the seed packet or plant tag. Overcrowding inhibits growth and reduces yields.
Water thoroughly after planting
Moisten the entire seedbed or transplant hole when planting. seeds need consistently damp soil to germinate, so check soil moisture daily and water when the top inch of soil is dry. Once seedlings sprout or transplants establish, you can decrease watering frequency to about an inch per week.
Fertilize during growth
Feed your garden with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer once a month. Follow the directions on the product packaging and be careful not to overfeed, especially for seedlings. Never place fertilizer directly in contact with plant roots, stems or leaves.
Monitor for common pests and diseases
Inspect your garden regularly for signs of damage or stress. Common problems include aphids, spider mites, powdery mildew, and blight. Remove infected plant parts, treat with insecticidal soap or fungicide sprays, improve air circulation and crop rotation. Early detection and treatment is key.
With the right care and maintenance, your garden will yield a bountiful harvest. Happy gardening!
Caring for Your Garden: Watering, Weeding, and Pest Control
Once your garden is planted, the real work begins. To keep your garden thriving, you’ll need to commit to regular maintenance. The three most important tasks are watering, weeding, and pest control.
Watering
Check the soil before watering to see if it’s dry 2-3 inches down. If so, it’s probably time to water. Water in the early morning to minimize disease and allow leaves to dry during the day. For the first few weeks after planting, you may need to water more often as seedlings and transplants establish themselves.
Weeding
Weeds compete with your plants for water, nutrients, and light. Try to weed regularly before weeds produce seeds. Pull weeds out by the root to remove the entire plant. Mulching around plants will help suppress weeds and reduce moisture loss from the soil.
Pest Control
Inspect your garden frequently for common pests like aphids, spider mites, cabbage worms, tomato hornworms, and squash bugs. You may be able to control small infestations by handpicking insects or spraying them off with a hose. For larger problems, you can apply insecticidal soap, neem oil, or spinosad, which are organic and safe for most gardens.
You should also check for disease symptoms like spotting, wilting or yellowing leaves. Prevent disease by watering in the morning, spacing plants adequately, and cleaning up plant debris. Remove and destroy diseased plant parts.
Caring for your garden does require work, but with regular maintenance you’ll be rewarded with a lush, productive garden and the satisfaction of growing your own fresh food. Stick with it and soon you’ll have the greenest thumb on the block!
