Wayside Gardens: Suggestions for New Gardeners

There are many gardeners who have been planting vegetables, herbs, and flowers for years and really enjoy it. New gardeners are also hoping to have the same enjoyment but may not be sure on how and where to begin. You do not need a large area to start a brand new garden, it is better to start small to see how well it is going to work and then progress to something larger. You may even want to start out with a small container garden instead of a plot in the ground.You can check to see if there are any classes being offered with regards to gardening; some nurseries, garden centers, or master gardeners in your area may offer some suggestions. You may also have neighbors that do some gardening and would be willing to show you how to begin. Some cities have public gardens for you to visit so you can see what will grow well in your environment. In order to make your gardening experience enjoyable start out small so it will fit into your schedule. A new garden should not be so large that you are going to wonder what you got yourself into.You are going to need a few basic gardening supplies regardless of whether you are planning on growing vegetables, flowers, or herbs. Compost, which is composed of decaying organic material, will greatly improve your soil by adding back nutrients that will improve growth. Compost can be made at home by using kitchen scraps and natural yard and garden waste or it is available in bags from home improvement centers and garden nurseries. If you add mulch to your garden in the spring it will cut down on your weeding time and it will retain moisture for the plants especially during the warmer summer months. Organic mulch is probably the best to use because it will eventually break down over time and help feed the soil. Other types of mulch can be wood chips or straw.The basic set of gardening tools generally includes a dibbler or trowel for digging holes for seedlings and to plant seeds and a three-prong cultivator for weeding a small garden and establishing troughs for planting seeds. A garden hose with a spray attachment for releasing gentle sprays for those delicate seedlings is a must. A good investment is a garden hat with a wide brim to protect your head and face from the sun along with a good sunblock. If you do not want to use sunblock on your arms and legs some old clothing with long sleeves and long pants can be worn for protection. A pair of gardening gloves that is going to last awhile during gardening tasks is a must. There are gardeners that spend a lot time on their knees while gardening and have purchased gardening mats or kneelers that help protect those knees.Wherever you decide to have your garden be sure the area is going to get the right amount of sunlight for what you are going to grow. Most herbs, vegetables, and fruit will need six hours, at least, of full sunlight daily; some of them may need more time. Flowers are going to be different; some need partial sun; full sun; or even shade. You can have an in-ground flower garden in full sun and a container flower garden for partial sun or shade; remember a container garden can be moved around as needed. If your garden is not going to be near the water spigot just make sure your garden hose is going to be long enough to reach. Your in-ground garden soil needs preparation as soon as the ground is pliable with plenty of compost or organic material. Good garden soil needs to have organic material added every year to keep it healthy. If you feed garden soil every year it will grow and produce everything your plants need for producing a good healthy crop or beautiful plants and flowers.There are a few plants that are difficult to grow from seeds such as tomatoes, peppers, and petunias, so you may want to plant their seedlings instead. If you prefer growing from seed, try planting indoors early and transplant them as seedlings, when they are strong, to your outside garden. If you plant any seedlings outside too early you may run the risk of another frost and your plants will die. It is probably best to check with a gardening neighbor or your local garden nursery for best times for planting in your area.As new gardeners you may find your first year of gardening may not give the best crop of vegetables or the most beautiful flowers; do not get discouraged, if you enjoyed the gardening experience your following years will always be better than the last. Just remember to grow the plants that will do well in your environment, keep the garden small at first and grow the plants that you and your family will enjoy. [EXTRACT] Many gardeners have been planting vegetables, herbs and flowers for years and really enjoy it. New gardeners are also hoping to have the same pleasure, but can not be sure how and where to start. You do not need a large area to start a new garden, it is best to start slowly to see how well it will work and then move on to something bigger. You may even want to start with a small container garden instead of a plot in the ground.You can check to see if there are classes offered in terms of gardening, some nurseries, garden centers and landscapers in your area can We offer some suggestions. You can also have neighbors who do a little gardening and would be willing to show you how to begin. Some cities have public gardens for you to visit so you can see what will grow well in your environment. To begin to make your experience pleasant garden with small things to fit your schedule. A new garden should not be so great to be asking yourself what is into.You going to have some basic gardening supplies, whether you are planning on growing vegetables, flowers or herbs. Compost, which is composed of decaying organic matter, will greatly improve your soil by adding nutrients back to improve growth. Compost can be done at home using food waste and natural debris or yard and garden is available in bags of improvement centers for home and garden nurseries. If you add compost to your garden in the spring will reduce weeding time and will keep moisture from plants, especially during the summer months. Compost is probably the best to use because it will eventually break down over time and help feed the soil. Other types of mulch may be wood shavings or straw. The core set of general gardening tools, including an elusive or trowel to dig holes for the seedlings and seeds of plants and a three-prong cultivator for weeding a small garden and the establishment of channels for planting seeds. A garden hose with a spray system for the release of aerosols soft delicate seedlings is a necessity. A good investment is a garden hat with wide brim to protect head and face the sun with a good sunscreen. If you do not want to use sunscreen on your arms and legs a bit of old clothes with long sleeves and long pants can be worn for protection. A pair of gardening gloves that will last a while in the yard work is a necessity. There are gardeners who spend much time on their knees while gardening and landscaping have purchased carpets or couches that help protect the knees.Wherever you choose to have your garden make sure the area is going to get the right amount of sunlight at which to grow. Most of the herbs, vegetables and fruits takes six hours, at least, of full sunlight each day, some may need more time. The flowers will be different, some need full sun to partial sun, not even the shadow. You can have a flower garden in the ground in full sun and a flower garden container for sun or partial shade, reminiscent of a container garden can be moved if necessary. If your garden is not going to be near the water faucet just make sure your garden hose will be enough time to arrive. On the floor of your garden soil preparation needed as soon as the soil is flexible with plenty of compost or organic matter. The garden soil that claims need organic material added each year to stay healthy. If you feed the garden soil will grow each year and produce everything your plants need to produce a good harvest was healthy and beautiful plants and flowers. There are some plants that are difficult to grow from seeds such as tomatoes, peppers, petunias, so you can to sow the seeds in place. If you prefer growing from seed, try to plant inside early and transplanting as plants, when they are strong, your outdoor garden. If you plant the seedlings out too soon may run the risk of frost and one of its plants will die. It's probably best to consult a gardening neighbor or your local nursery for best time to plant in their new gardeners area.As you can find your first year of gardening can not give the best crop of vegetables or beautiful flowers, is Do not be discouraged if you liked the gardening experience of next year is always better than the last. Just remember to grow plants that do well in your environment, keep the garden at first and grow the plants you and your family can enjoy.