Gardening
From The Ground Up

If this is your first try at gardening, these basic tips will help you to make a success of your first garden.

The thing to remember is to start small. A small bed, about 25 or 30 feet square is perfect, is just enough room for about 30 plants. This will give you a chance to try out your green thumb and if you find that you enjoy it you can always expand and increase your plantings.

Choosing the right site will go a long way to make your activities easier and provide you with a great crop. It must get at least six hours of sunlight. Try and stay at least three feet from any fences or buildings and stay away from large trees that will rob the water and nutrients from your plants. In hot climates it is a good idea to choose a place that will have some shade a part of the intense afternoon sun. It is possible to have a healthy garden with even ten to twelve hours of sunlight as long as the type of plants can sustain it. While soil can always be improved, a site with good soil is certainly a plus. Avoid areas that have rocky soil, steep slopes, or areas where water stands.

Now comes the fun part: start digging. This is not a clean hobby; you're going to have to get some dirt under your nails. First remove the rocks, debris, and any grass and weeds, and then dig the spot up about one foot deep. Level up the dirt and add compost or minerals if needed. If your soil is too acidic, add lime; if it is too sandy, add peat moss. Plants will thrive in neutral to acidic soil with a little added fertilizer.

If you buy seeds be sure to plant them according to the directions. If picking plants, choose ones with green, healthy looking leaves and stems and healthy roots. Put the smaller plants towards the front of the bed and larger ones in the back.

The key to a successful beginning is planting at the right time. Make sure and wait until the frosts are over before planting. If you are planting seeds the package will usually tell you exactly when you can plant them to achieve maximum growth.

Once your garden is on the way, it is essential that you make sure your plants receive enough water. Hand watering works well if you only have a few plants. Other options include sprinklers or sprinkler hoses. Watering is more effective during the cooler parts of the day. How much water is needed depends on the type of plants, but most require about an inch per week. During the hottest periods plants will be need watering about three times per week.

One of the most helpful things to add to a garden is mulch or compost. Just a few inches of organic mulch will improve fertility and help the soil hold moisture. Wood chips, grass clippings, leaves, manure, and pine needles are all things that can be used as mulch.