Gardening is easy and like many things, you will get better at it with time and experience. So don’t be afraid to get started! It can be a lot of fun, not to mention relaxing, rewarding and maybe even edible.
If you don’t know where to start, there are lots of ways to get good information. For a start, your grandmother or mother can probably help. Many older people are great gardeners with a wealth of knowledge to pass down. You can also try books (libraries are a good resource), magazines and of course the internet to browse for more information.
Don’t Be Limited
Don’t think of gardening as restricted to ‘old people’. It is a wonderful hobby for people of any age, including kids. Anyone, regardless of age, will feel rewarded as their garden grows, changes and blossoms through the seasons. It is one of the best ways to get in touch with nature, and all in your own backyard.
Gardening brings so many benefits, particularly if you lead a busy life. Being able to step outside your front door and into your own ‘green space’ will help to revive and relax even the busiest of people. It might even be that you need to grown your garden indoors, but that’s OK. The key is to get started and so you can soon to reap the fruits of your own labor.
Another great thing about gardening is that it doesn’t matter what you prefer – herbs, flowers, shrubs, fruit trees, wild flowers or something else. There are so many ways to build a garden and it you can make it completely your own.
Would you like to have a bed of beautiful and colorful flowers? Maybe you’d prefer a rambling, country garden full of wild flowers and shrubs. Another type of garden is one with a well kept lawn with shrubs and little trees carefully positioned. Or perhaps you want just a simple backyard filled with pots and containers of a variety of plants. You can make your garden whatever you want it to be and in your own style.
Once you have an idea on the garden you would prefer, it’s time to get some equipment together.
Equipment, Plans and Plants
To get started, you will need these basic tools: trowel, spade, rake, gloves and plants of your choice to grow. As your garden grows there will be other tools required, but to get started, these are enough.
It is ideal to have a plan for your garden based on the space available. This will help you a lot as the garden grows to ensure plants are positioned well and you get your desired result. It also means it won’t be difficult to arrange things like flower beds, lawns and paths down the track. If you allow for them from the beginning, it will save a lot of time (and money).
Next, you need to consider the types of plants you will grow. This will depend on what types your prefer, the availability, and the climate of for your garden.
There are plants that grow only for one season (annuals) but there are others that grow year after year (perennials). So keep this in mind when selecting your plants. If you don’t want to be removing and replanting each season, then perennials may be better. On the other hand, annuals will need to be removed once the season is over and replaced with something for the next season. It is also a possibility to have a mixture of both. This lets you have a seasonal element to your garden that can be flexible year on year.
If you don’t know what plants to start growing, the best advice is to ask for assistance at your local nursery. The experts there will know what types of plants thrive in the local climate for your area. They will also guide you on what plants are most suitable for beginners to grow which will save you time and money. Good nurseries will have available a wide variety of healthy plants as well as seedlings and seed packets. Once you get the hang of things, it is possible to get plants online or by mail order. But to begin with, seek out some local advice.
For instant color and decoration, small young plants are a great choice. In the right conditions, they will grow quickly and your garden will thrive fast. If you feel confident, it is also possible to choose seeds to grow. Watching them grow and caring for them is very satisfying. Seeds can be planted in pots or containers, or you can plant them straight into the garden soil. Keep your plan in mind and allow for other plantings around the seeds.
Gardening should be fun and exciting, and of course, rewarding, even if you are a beginner.