Gardening has many benefits. Not only can you grow your food, saving you money each week at the grocery store, but it also adds lots of colour and beauty to the front of your house or yard. Gardening is also a great way to relax and enjoy the summer sunshine.
- Choose the Right Spot for Your Garden
If you’re planting vegetables or plants that do better in the sun than in the shade, consider putting your garden in a shadier area of your yard.
If you have a dog who happens to do his business in the same general area each time he goes outside, try to refrain from using that part of the yard.
You’ll also want to make sure the area of the yard you choose is easily visible from inside the house. If you’re able to look out your window and see your garden, you’ll be more likely to tend to it and it will be easier to keep an eye on it too.
- Use Nutrient-Rich Soil
The better the soil you choose to put in your garden, the better chance your crops will have at growing. You’ll want to opt for a nutrient-rich soil that drains well. There are many kinds of soil like this on the market. Head to your local hardware store and have a look around. If you need help finding one, ask one of the store associates for help.
Most soils work by mixing around three inches into the top six to eight inches of the existing soil (for ground planting).
- Decide if Containers Will Work Better for Your Needs
Sometimes space is limited, or you just want to keep things a little easier and use containers to plant your herbs, vegetables, fruit trees, and flowers. This is a great way to get your feet wet when it comes to gardening. You just need to ensure that you’re using a moisture-rich potting mix. These are specially formulated to help whatever you’ve planted thrive in containers.
Remember to use a plant pot that has sufficient room for the vegetables or plant that’s you’re housing to grow. This will save you from having to replant them all summer long.
- Know When to Water Your Plants
When deciding where to house your new garden, make sure it’s near a water source, like a hose. This will make it much easier to water your plants since you’ll be doing it pretty often.
How can you tell if it’s time to water your plants? A good rule of thumb is to push your finger down about an inch or so into the soil. If it’s dry, you can go ahead and give your plants a good watering.
- Use Mulch to Your Advantage
Mulch helps reduce weed growth by blocking out the sun. It also helps reduce moisture loss through evaporation. This, in turn, means that you don’t have to water your plants as frequently.
An added benefit of mulch is that it looks nice too!
We hope these tips will set you up for success during the next gardening season!
