10 Tips for New Gardeners

Interested in learning how to garden? Planting your first garden can be daunting, but with a little bit of study and the right attitude it doesn't need to be hard. Read on for some simple suggestions on how to get your beginning garden started right.

1. Measure the amount of sunlight that hits your garden spot. Every plant will have a different amount of sun and shade that they need in a day, and you can greatly increase your chances of having a successful garden by choosing plants that will thrive with exactly what you are providing them.

2. Pay attention to your soil. Find out if the soil in the area you want to use has sand or clay and try to adjust it until it is loamy soil. Check your soil's PH before you plant and make sure it is as balanced as possible.

3. Start the plot for your garden during the fall months. When you have the soil ready for planting in the fall, the frost that accumulates during the winter will help make your soil perfect for planting when it melts. You'll still need to rake once to avoid clumps and rocks once everything thaws, but your soil will be healthy and ready to go.

4. Think of the adult plant size. Many people start their gardens without leaving enough space between plants because they are looking at how large the plant is currently instead of how large it will eventually be. For most plants you can make sure they are well spaced by planting them half the size of the adult plant away from each other.

5. Keep the soil healthy. Add the dead organic material you collect from the rest of your yard, like crushed leaves or clipped grass, to make sure your garden stays healthy. If you compost, adding your finished compost is a great way to keep your soil fertilized.

6. Think about what your finished garden will look like when you plant. Consider adding multiple colors and textures, and make sure there are at least a few plants that will look nice all year long. Remember that you'll need to look at the remains of your garden in the winter too.

7. Don't get over worried about plants that die. Even if you do everything right, you will still loose plants throughout the year. Try to remember that every plant you have will eventually die, and don't let dead plants discourage you or take up space.

8. Choose plants that you know will grow in your area. If you try to plant something that isn't normally grown in your area, you may be setting yourself up for failure before you even start. Since this is your first time planting a garden, choose plant types you know neighbors, family, and friends that live near you have grown successfully.

9. Compost your dead plants. If you're planting annuals you'll accumulate quite a few dead plants in your garden at the end of the season. Pull everything out to avoid unhealthy bacteria and mold, and consider throwing it all into a compost pile to help you fertilize your new garden in the spring.

10. Plant the stuff that grows quickly at varying times. By choosing intervals of about 2 weeks to plant your quick growing vegetables, you can make sure you have a great supply of fresh vegetables for a long time, instead of one giant pile of stuff you'll never manage to use.