Are you a novice gardener? Check out our list of expanding suggestions to get the ball rolling.
Are you a novice gardener? Visit our website and get in touch with us if you want to get it done by a professional gardener, or peruse our list of ideas on getting started, sowing, planting, and constructing wildlife habitats.
Growing a garden may be a lot of laughs and fruitful work. What could be more pleasant than enjoying a home-grown dinner on the terrace, surrounded by fragrant plants that you grew yourself? Knowing when and how to start a garden might be challenging, but we’re here to help.
Check out our 10 pointers for new gardeners.
Become familiar with the plants in your yard.
Before you start planting, it’s wise to familiarise yourself with your garden’s layout. Is it a south-facing or north-facing aspect? It will be easier to pick what to grow and where if you know exactly where the sun rises and sets. Soil type identification is also important. Look at the plants that are flourishing; if you find camellias, magnolias, and pieris, the soil is acidic, but if you don’t, it’s probably more alkaline. A soil test can provide you even more information about your soil and the plants that will thrive in it.
Organize your garden.
Taking some time to sit down and map out your garden’s layout is a fantastic place to begin. Instead of getting carried away at the garden centre and purchasing a mishmash of plants that don’t look well together and may not fit your growing circumstances, you can instead figure out what to grow where. When you put in the time to plan, you’ll be able to make the most of colour and structure in your garden, resulting in a space that looks fantastic all year round.
Find out how to grow plants
It’s important to plant your plants correctly to ensure they thrive and survive. Before planting, make sure the soil is weed- and pest-free, and amend it with mulch and fertiliser if necessary. Do not just hope something grows if you don’t know how to plant it. Trees that are planted too deeply will never survive, and those whose root balls rise above the soil will die from lack of water.
Maintain a consistent schedule of plant feeding and watering.
Having a working knowledge of plant watering schedules and techniques might mean the difference between life and death. The rule of thumb is to water the root ball instead of the leaves because the roots are the part of the plant that actually uses the water. It’s preferable to give the rootball a good soaking once a week rather than a few sprinkles every few days. You should also consider feeding your plants once every two weeks during the growing season (spring and summer), or more often if you are growing them in pots.
It’s tempting to want to do everything at once when establishing a new garden or plot of land. One should go gradually. In order to prevent weed growth in places you don’t plan to cultivate, you can simply cover them with cardboard or black plastic.
Watch out for insects and other pests.
Most insect pests in the garden are rather harmless, and their populations can be permitted to be controlled by their natural predators. However, pest populations can quickly grow into an infestation if no action is taken. Monitoring your plants for pests like aphids, slugs, and snails will prevent damage and save you a lot of stress.
Use organic materials such as compost.
You, the local wildlife, your wallet, and your garden will all benefit from composting your food and yard waste. Leave the trash for a year to decompose, and then use it as mulch around the plants in your garden or vegetable plot.
Avoid panicking and go ahead and prune.
Pruning may seem like an overwhelming task, but if you master the appropriate techniques, your plants will grow and look better, and they may even produce more flowers and fruit. Knowing when to prune and how to make the cuts and shape the plant properly are essential for a good result. Some examples of the many how-to instructions and videos we offer on pruning are as follows:
It’s important to treat wildlife with respect.
Many amateur gardeners view wild animals as dangerous pests because they consume their plants, fruit, and seeds. However, wildlife can serve a purpose in the yard. A wide range of garden pests, from slugs and snails to aphids and caterpillars, are consumed by birds. Food crops rely on bees for pollination. Frogs, toads, hedgehogs, bees, butterflies, and birds all add to the beauty and serenity of a garden. The secret to truly appreciating your garden is in making it hospitable for wildlife and learning to live in harmony with its various inhabitants.
Have fun in the garden.
Have fun in your garden! Don’t forget to reward yourself by relaxing and taking it easy once in a while. Set up a comfortable place to relax and enjoy a meal or a good book with loved ones. Creating window-viewable borders with plants and hanging bird feeders will allow you to delight in the antics of your feathered friends without leaving your seat.
