Gardening is a popular pastime that can entertain kids and adults alike. Planting a garden is an excellent way to get some fresh air, while tending to plants, and (hopefully), getting to watch them grow. Planting a garden is truly a labor of love, but it can be a rewarding experience when all is said and done.
How to Start Planting a Garden
Before you start, create a plan. Will you be germinating vegetables? Growing flowers? Planting herbs? Teaching a child where food comes from with a single plant? Turning your entire lawn into a lush plot? You’ll want to come up with a solid plan before actually beginning the process of starting a garden.
Your plan should answer the following questions:
- What will you grow?
- Where will you grow it?
- When do you intend to plant?
- Will you grow in the soil, or rely on container gardening instead?
- How much time will you devote to this task?
What Are You Planning to Grow?
There is an almost endless variety of things you can grow, like flowers, herbs, vegetables, or fruit. Each one has different needs and levels of difficulty, so you’ll want to start small, and focus on planting just a few items that tend to be easier to grow.
Start simple–if planting vegetables, you will want to plant the least fussy things possible. Lettuce, carrots, radishes, and tomatoes are good for beginners. You can plant any of these in containers, even egg cartons, or in the ground, if you’d rather. Start from the beginning with seeds–you can start them indoors. Or, if you’d rather, go to your local home improvement store to pick up already sprouted plants. These plants have already germinated, and are available in planters, ready to go into the ground.
Where Will You Put Your Garden?
Think about the type of garden you want. There are a variety of options available, like raised beds, container gardens, hanging pots, window boxes or the old favorite, directly in the ground. Identify a spot on your property that receives enough sunlight that you will be able to spot easily. This will ensure that you won’t forget about your plant. Make sure the plant is not as risk of being stepped on or damaged and located in an area where it will receive adequate sun (most plants require approximately 6 hours daily). Do not overwater–keep the soil damp, but not soaking wet.
Once you have located the right spot, you will want to prepare the area, either by clearing the dirt and putting soil down, building a bed, or placing a pot. You may need to put additives in the dirt to boost soil health.
What is the best Time to Plant?
Since many plants cannot tolerate cold, you will want to wait until there is no more risk of frost. Look up a frost zone map to find the best planting date for your geographic region. Kansas City, for example, is in zones 5-7, which suggests planting in mid May. Mid spring and mid Autumn are typically the best times for planting in most areas. Check your climate zone to identify the ideal planting date for your garden.
How Much Time Is Needed to Devote to this Endeavor?
Your plants will need tending to. Weeding, watering, and general plant care can take up a lot of time, depending on what’s growing. By starting with a few basic items, you can learn how much time each one needs, and the different nuances of each crop. Roses have different needs than chives, for example.
That’s it! Keep up with proper maintenance and, with proper care and luck, you’re on your way to having a garden you can be proud of. Don’t forget to share the bounty with your friends and neighbors–enjoy your harvest.
That’s it! Keep up with proper maintenance and, with proper care and luck, you’re on your way to having a garden you can be proud of. Don’t forget to share the bounty with your friends and neighbors–enjoy your harvest.
