Growing a garden is one of the most rewarding home improvements you can make, and you don’t necessarily have to be an expert to make your yard look great. Anyone can learn to make their garden look amazing by carrying out enough research on how to get started, before learning how to maintain their lawn, soil, and plants all-year-round.
If you’ve never gardened before – don’t panic! It’s not rocket science, and you can easily grow the garden of your dreams once you’re in-the-know with the correct tactics.
The tips below should give you some insight on how to get started.
1. Follow the sun
One of the most important points to consider when growing a garden is where the sun is going to shine most. Many new gardeners misjudge how the sunlight moves across the garden, so it would be wise to pay attention to this before selecting where to plant flowers. This is especially important if you’re planning on growing fruit or vegetables as they need at least 6 hours of sunlight each day.
2. Use good soil
As a new gardener, you need to be sure that the soil your using is well-drained so that the plants can grow to their full size, as well as having the boost of organic matter. The frequent breakdown of organic matter releases essential nutrients into the soil that are crucial for its level of fertility.
3. Mow the lawn carefully
Although mowing the lawn may seem like an easy task, it is a skill that needs a great deal of practice. The grass should be cut to the right height and be mowed between the months of March- October. These two factors can make a huge difference to the long-term health of the lawn.
Many people choose to mow the lawn themselves, however knowing how to deliver an impressive finish can be tricky when you’re a beginner, especially if you’re looking to achieve that sophisticated striped finish. Being inexperienced can result in issues such as cutting the blades too short or scalping. If in doubt, you could always call on a professional lawn mowing company to ensure your grass is well looked after. Click here to discover Philadelphia lawn mowing companies you could hire.
4. Plan ahead
Before you start digging up the garden, have a long think about how you want your garden to look by planning in advance. It can be as simple as placing your bulbs on the top of the soil to see if you’re happy with the positioning before planting. Also be sure to avoid planting shrubs near to a wall or fence, as they won’t grow their full size. They should have enough space to fully develop both upwards and outwards.
5. Water the plants
Do remember that plants are naturally supposed to live outdoors and have the function to derive moisture from the soil, without the need to be watered too regularly. If you’re unsure about the hydration levels, sink your finger into the soil and see how dry it is underneath. If it doesn’t feel at all moist, add a touch of water.
Be aware that container plants need a higher level of care and attention as they can’t obtain the fluid and nutrients required from the earth, unlike those planted in the ground.
6. Stay on top of weeding
It’s important to get rid of weeds quickly as they can become a living nightmare for your garden. Make sure you take the time to do the weeding on a regular basis and dig up the roots. Don’t dump weeds onto the compost heap with seeds still attached, or when you come to re-use the compost, the seeds will grow into more weeds.
7. Keep an eye on bugs
Damage caused to plants doesn’t just affect the visual look; it can also have a severely damaging impact on the plant’s overall health. Bugs cause openings in the plant which can lead it to become infected with bacteria. Some insects can even transport viruses from one plant to another, which may mean that your entire garden has been hit by a disease. The good news is that destructive insects can be controlled with the correct strategies.
8. Be aware of frost dates
Planting too early or late in the season may mean that your plants are at risk of being killed by the frost. Therefore, it’s best to be in-the-know of when the frosty weather is likely to hit, so you don’t accidentally destroy plants by planting them at the wrong time of year.
