Gardening for beginners can be a challenge, but it can also be a lot of fun. Even if you've traditionally been someone who couldn't keep a cactus alive, it's possible to learn how to grow a great garden that you can eat from practically all year long. It simply requires learning the right techniques and then having the patience to keep trying until you finally figure it all out.
1. Soil
The first thing that you need to have in order to grow the ideal garden is soil that can support it. Even if you do everything else right, your garden is going to struggle to grow if the soil lacks the nutrients it needs. Fortunately, it's a lot easier to get the soil healthy than you might think it would be. You might try something as simple as turning the soil over with a plow or even a shovel and then applying certain fertilizers or even lime that is designed to put nutrients back into the soil so that it can once again support the growth of something organic.
2. Layout
Next, carefully lay out your garden and then decide where you want your rows to be. You can use a simple tool for this technique by gently turning the soil over and then either planting seeds or plants that have already been started into the ground. Some people do very well with seeds while others do far better with plants that have already been started. If you do choose to go with seeds, you might want to start them indoors in smaller containers and then transfer them to the garden later on.
3. Watering
Once they are planted, carefully pat down the soil and then water it accordingly. Be careful not to put too much water on the garden but make sure that has an adequate level to promote growth.
4. Monitor
As time passes, you should start to see changes in your garden as everything begins to grow. Make sure that it has the proper amount of water and that you take care to look for signs of problems such as bug infestations or intruders that have been walking through the garden. You can use sprays that are safe to use on edible plants and put up fencing to address these concerns accordingly. Generally speaking, you should expect to see some growth within a week or two of planting.
5. Reap the Reward :)
Don't be disappointed if your initial efforts don't produce the results you were hoping for. This is not uncommon for someone that is just starting out. Instead, evaluate what you have done and then try again. Soon, you will be growing that beautiful garden you have always dreamed of. Like anything else, gardening takes a certain amount of practice in order to get really good at it. The good news is that if you keep trying, you can grow an outstanding garden with the best of them. It merely takes the dedication to put in the time and the effort to make it happen. As long as you refuse to give up, you can indeed have the garden that you want to have.
Author
Kane Miller from YardYum
Kane has a background in engineering, but now focuses on environmental sustainability. He grew up on a 12-acre hobby farm and was fortunate to have been introduced to organic gardening at a young age.