All posts tagged gardening

Gardening Tips for Beginners

Gardening Tips for Beginners

By Article Editor on

Gardening-Tips for beginners.

The foremost tip in this will be the most important. Find the hardiness zone of the local area. It can be found on the USDA website, and many other websites can also help identify local hardiness zones. The hardiness zone is a geographical zone defining certain climate conditions relevant to plant survival and growth. If a plant that thrives on sunshine and humidity finds itself in Alaska, it simply will not grow or survive. That is why it is the first and most important step.

Know what is involved.

Helen Lee Schifter, who thoroughly enjoys gardening, believes that any beginner entering into a new hobby or craft should also start small. When starting with a huge garden the first year, anyone would be overwhelmed. Starting small allows growth in the coming years, after knowing the challenges and obstacles of the first year. There is still plenty to work with and gives way to experiments and experience without spending too much money. Seedlings are a good way to start as starting seeds to a full plant can be an art of itself. Seedling or bedding plants are often the plants seen already sprouting at the garden centers. Just like in the tea ceremony Chado, rushing through is not the right way.

Time to plant.

Once the hardiness zone is identified and a decision has been made on size, it’s now time to decide on what is wanted to plant. Plants and seed packets have information on them about what zone they grow best in, so match that up with the local hardiness zone and they should thrive. Knowing the kind of soil the plants will be planted in is ideal. There is all kinds of local information on soil online. Soil can be improved with bags of gardening or planting soil, whether a gardening bed or pots are being used.

The location of the garden is also key. The garden should have enough sunlight. Most plants and vegetables require at least 6 hours of sun per day. A watering source should be close by. Having to convey water when the plants are thirsty can be a difficult task. With a hose or water supply nearby it can make quick work of watering the plants. A tell-tell sign of thirsty plants is having dry soil approximately one inch down from the top of the soil.

Patience

While practicing all the aforementioned tips a gardener must have patience. Chado, the ancient Japanese tea ceremony, is much like gardening. They are about the journey, not the destination. Helen Lee Schifter, a former wall street trader, once said on the topic of starting her career “My biggest mistake starting out was a sense of impatience”. This can be translated to gardening easily. Schifter has been studying for 8 years and is still seen as a beginner. Likewise, with gardening, it is a skill that developed over time. As a gardener gets more comfortable in his garden, the more they will see improvements.

Vegetable Gardening Tips  

Vegetable Gardening Tips  

By Article Editor on

Vegetable Gardening Tips

Growing a garden is not scientific. Follow some simple rules, enjoy gardening and the produce will be impressive. It does take a bit of learning. There are some standard rules that will help.

Dr. Cory Harow, located in Florida is a busy man with little time to spend with his family, but Covid has changed that. He has started enjoying activities around the home with his family and gardening is one of those. He enjoys composting and helping the environment through it.

Soil

Soil is important. Hard, compound soil that doesn’t feel free and soil filled with large rocks are not good. Dig and pick out larger rocks and break up the soil to help. Mulching dug in with organic matter, stuff from the kitchen, or stuff bought works. Straw scattered and watered into the soil is good.

Dr. Cory Harow knows the importance of mulch. He knows from experience to use the enriched soil to give the best-flavored and delicious vegetables.

Select the Right Vegetables

When buying the seeds, be sure they will grow well in the garden area. Check the zones to be sure they grow well in that zone. Also, try to select plants for the amount of space available. Not much space, tomatoes, onions, garlic, greens, like lettuce are good for containers or smaller gardens. Herbs are excellent for smaller spaces. Sprawling plants like pumpkins and melons that send out runners, take a lot of room and don’t give much product. Use them in larger spaces. And plant something to eat. No use planting rhubarb if no family member likes it.

Watering

We all know what happens if a plant does not get enough water. Don’t plant where there is not enough water unless a method for watering is initiated. Not enough water and the plants can’t grow and will wilt, finally dying. Too much water and the plants drown, the roots turn to pulp. Have a regular schedule for the watering and a good system that makes it as easy as possible. If it is too hard to water regularly, the plants will suffer and watering won’t get accomplished.

The Sun

If it hasn’t already been established, then select a spot where the sun reaches for at least 6 hours a day. Do not pick an area where the sun is blocked by a house or large tree. Plants love the sun.

Prepare for Bugs

Slugs like to eat, too. Unfortunately, slugs and other pests choose to eat in gardens. They see it as an opportunity. Use some slug bait. Look for some homemade slug bait remedies. Some work well. Pesticides work, but affect people and also are absorbed by plant skins. Try to use some natural deterrents, pairing plants together that deter pests, like zinnias around the edge of the garden. Soil covers cost money but may save the crop.

These tips will help to raise a successful garden so tomatoes may be eaten off the vine right where they are found.