Beginner Garden Tips: Getting Started With Gardening

First-time gardening is something that can be an exciting new hobby. Whether it is to grow fruits/vegetables or to upgrade your property, a lot of thought and effort needs to be put forth. First-time gardeners could face some difficulties from overwhelming information and tough decisions on where/how to start. Thankfully, there is an abundance of resources that can help beginners to start off on the right foot.

Let’s explore some tips for beginners!

Plan:

Sitting down and planning your garden is a great starting point. Looking at how your landscape around your property is, where the sun shines, and what plants to get, are just some of the things that need to be well thought out. You do not want to “wing it” when creating a beautiful garden and get plants that do not look good together or even plants that are not suited for the growing conditions you live in. Creating structure and choosing the correct flowers/plants are important aspects when creating a beautiful garden in which planning can become your best friend.

Soil：

Having good soil drainage is very important for the garden itself and a soil test is something that we recommend doing for the garden. Local extension offices are a great place to obtain soil tests and can offer valuable insights regarding information about soil (e.g. soil nutrients and pH levels).

Choose the right plants：

Plants must be selected and planted according to the growing conditions that the garden is in. For instance, sun-loving plants in sunny spots, heat-tolerant plants in warm climate areas, and giving enough space for pumpkin/melons to grow. Researching and doing your homework on the many varieties of plants that are available is key to having a successful and beautiful garden.

Extra tip – when growing herbs and vegetables, start with young plants instead of trying to grow them from seed.

GARDEN FERTILIZER：

Nourishment is needed in order for plants to be healthy and flourishing. In residential landscapes, gardeners need to replace depleted nutrients that cannot be achieved through Mother Nature itself. With so many different plants with different types of fertilizers, knowing when and how to fertilize can be a daunting experience. Luckily, we have gathered some basic information to help you better understand the different types of fertilizer(s) needed.

Organic vs. inorganic:

Fertilizers are available in organic (plant or animal-derived) and inorganic (man-made from chemicals). Organic fertilizers are good for the environment and can help improve overall soil health, unlike inorganic fertilizers. Inorganic fertilizers have no positive residual effect and do not improve soil so it is important to see the pros and cons before buying fertilizers as they can have negative effects on the environment and wildlife.

Granular vs. water-soluble: 

There are two basic forms of fertilizers, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Slow-release granular fertilizers have the advantage of delivering nutrients over a long period of time. Whereas water-soluble fertilizers are faster acting and deliver a boost of nutrients when plants need a quick pick-me-up. With that being said, water-soluble fertilizers are generally less harsh and not as long-lasting, thus, it needs to be applied frequently.

Other popular fertilizer options include fertilizer spikes, liquid fertilizers, and compost teas.

1. Tools:

Tools are essential for gardeners, and we recommend of just starting off with the basics. You can always add more tools along the way, but many individuals already have the basics.

2. Gloves

Gardening can be a very rewarding and a great hobby to have but can run into some hassle with thorns and splinters if the correct pair of gloves are not used.

Gloves should be durable but not bulky, especially when planting and/or transplanting seeds.

3. Pruning Shears 

Hand pruners (aka secateurs) help tame plants that are getting out of control. Anvil-style pruners cut with sharp blades meeting a flat surface, like a knife board. Bypass pruners cut with a sharp blade passing by a sharp-edged flat surface, such as scissors.

4. Loppers 

Loppers are another cutting tool that is basically a pruner with long handles. These are to trim areas that are difficult to reach and/or to cut thicker branches (up to an inch or more in diameter) using the leverage of the long handles (generally range from 16-36 inches. There are anvil and bypass types for the loopers just like the pruning shears mentioned above.

5. Garden Fork

Garden forks are a great tool to dig into dense soil and turn it much better than a spade would. Forks with a slight curve to the spine are useful for scooping mulch or turning compost piles, much like a pitchfork.

6. Hand Trowel

Trowels are an essential hand tool, and they are great for transplanting bedding plants/herbs, planting containers, and taking out weeds.

7. Spade 

These are known as garden workhorses. Tasks such as, digging plant holes, edging, lifting sod, and moving small amounts of dirt can be made much easier with this tool. A spade is something that is not cheap but is a tool worth investing as it can be a tool that will last a lifetime.

8. Wheelbarrow

A wheelbarrow is a necessity in gardening. For extra soil, compost, or mulch that needs to be added/taken away, or any moving projects, a wheelbarrow will be your best friend. TUFX has professional wheelbarrow wholesale for you to choose.

9. Rake

When leaves and debris fall, your sturdy rake is there to whisk them away. Rakes come in a wide variety of styles and sizes, but a great starter is a standard leaf rake.

10. Hoe 

Depending on the type of garden, this will dictate the type of garden hoe will be needed. They are great tools in preparing gardens and flower beds, as well as cutting down weeds. A veggie garden requires a sturdy and wide garden hoe. A perennial garden will need a garden hoe that is thinner than the one that is needed for a veggie garden.

The first and last frost days are important dates to note wherever you are located in. This information will determine when it is safe to plant frost tender seeds outdoors as well as plant types that may be sowed directly into the ground, while other plants need to start early indoors. After sowing, make sure to water the plant bed thoroughly as the soil should be kept moist until germination occurs.

Once your plants start to grow in the garden, it is crucial to take great care of them. Monitoring your plants and weed control are two options that will allow you to prevent the possibility of irrigation, pests, and/or diseases to form in your garden.