Guide to Gardening for Beginners at Home
Making a garden at home is one of the easiest things to do for people who seek peace, reward, and refreshment in return. In various studies and research, it is proven that caring for plants can improve one’s physical and mental well-being in multiple ways, including physical exercise, lowered blood pressure levels, and improved mood.
Anyone can start gardening at home but as a beginner, it can be challenging for you to know how to, and where to start your first garden. The good news is that gardening doesn’t have to be complex; you can still ease into it at your own pace by breaking this project down into some easy and effortless steps. Let’s start with these steps.
Follow these 6 steps to start gardening at home:
- Think of what you’re gonna plant
- Invest in the basic tools that will be needed
- Pick the right spot for the plants
- Get some rich quality soil (Important)
- Regular fertilizing and watering (Important)
- Follow organic ways to control pest
Now get those plants you thought of considering the best quality, and you are all set to go. Oh yes, I think before going to know about the exciting journey of gardening at home, you must know clearly what gardening at home actually stands for and what it includes. Let’s explore!
What is home gardening, and its benefits?
Home gardening is making an area of your home productive. It usually includes cultivating herbs, vegetables, and fruits, not for commercial purposes but rather for personal consumption. Making a beautiful garden with various kinds of colorful flowers is also a big part of gardening at home. Consistently improving one’s gardening skills, nurturing the plants, and maintaining them is an essential part of successful home gardening.
What are the benefits of gardening at home:
- Explore something new to make a successful day
- Burn calories by working in your garden daily (300+ Calories per 1 Hour)
- This can also lower your blood pressure
- Vitamin D makes your bone constantly stronger
- Eat healthier, get rewards, and enjoy peace of mind
- Understand the value of food grown by a farmer
- Gardening at home is a good meditation and lets you leave stress
- Spending some time in your garden makes you satisfied
Let’s explore the steps to start your home garden elaborately:
- Thinking of what to plant
Are you gonna make a vegetable garden, an herb garden, a garden for fruits, or just a flower garden? Make a clear decision following your passion. Try to find out your inner cravings, like what your mind is telling you to do, and if you are also ready to be active enough for that particular type of plant.
Not sure about a particular one? No worries, you can also make a combination as you start gardening at home. A very beautiful garden with different types of plants. But there is no doubt that it needs various maintenance. Here is a tip, get started with small.
- Invest in the basic tools that will be needed
Expensive gardening tools aren’t necessary as long as you only grow plants in pots and planters or if you’re gardening at home. You’ll likely just need a hand trowel and brush to clean up the mess and it is useful to have a small watering can for watering, or a plastic bottle, kettle, jug, etc.
There are a few tools that can be considered inseparable and those are a hand trowel, a watering can, a rake, a spade, and a gardening shear.
- Pick the right spot for the plants
The majority of vegetables and flowering plants need at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight a day. Observe carefully and try to figure out which sites of your home receive full sun, partial shade, or full shade. Do some research on the plants you have chosen to grow, are they suitable for the spot you chose?
For example, you can’t grow tomatoes in shade, but some plants love the shade so you need to figure it out. And yeah, the garden should also have access to a source of water.
- Get some rich quality soil (Important)
In order to grow a healthy home garden, nutrient-rich, well-drained soil is crucial. New construction often requires a boost, especially when the topsoil has been stripped. A poor drainage system or compacted soil may also be contributing to low plant nutrients.
Usually, there is a simple solution. You should add 2- to 3-inches of organic matter to a new garden bed when you prepare it. Compost, dry grass, decayed leaves, or old manure can be a good fit.
- Regular fertilizing and watering (Important)
Your plants benefit most from regular boosts of high-quality nutrition in the soil. Therefore, top-quality plant food combined with amazing soil will result in a super home garden! Additionally, the seedlings should be watered regularly, so never allow them to dry out. Watering transplants frequently is also necessary until they develop roots.
Once that is done, you need to water once a week, depending on your soil quality, air humidity, and rain. It is less necessary to water clay soil as often as sandy soil because clay dries out more slowly than sandy soil. Early in the morning is the best time to water to minimize evaporation.
- Follow organic ways to control pest
You must take this matter seriously. Making your own pesticide with Epsom salts and water is a great way to get rid of bugs and insects without using chemical pesticides. Homemade pest-repellent recipes are readily available online.
Final Tips for You to Make Gardening at Home a Success
Covering with a layer of mulch keeps weeds out of your plants and moisture in. Among the variety of mulches available, you’ll find bark (shredded), some straw, and rocks, each with its own benefits. The tall plants of your home garden need to be supported with a stake, or trellis. And yes, make sure to harvest vegetables once they are ready. Gardening at home is said to help people cultivate a deeper bond with nature and allow them to focus more readily on healthy eating, and you are gonna be one of those lucky people. Best of luck!
