It is officially spring! As the days begin to get warmer, plants start to bloom, and animals come out of hibernation, many of us are itching to start spending more time outside. And there is no better way to do that than starting a garden!
Think about it. Gardening is not only a fantastic reason to spend some time outside every day, but it also provides you with fresh fruits and vegetables right at your fingertips! It also has a number of amazing health benefits, which makes it a great addition to any healthy lifestyle. And as a bonus, a garden will bring natural beauty to the space it is added to.
As the weather continues to improve, it can be tempting to grab your shovel and head out to start planting seeds. However, you may want to wait just a little longer before you jump right in. In order to set yourself and your garden up for success, there are a few things you’ll want to do to get prepared.
1. Research What To Plant
Before you get your hands dirty, you’ll want to do some research to help you choose which plants to grow. After all, different plants require different things in order to thrive. You’ll want to take into consideration things like what produce your family will enjoy and what will grow well in your climate. Additionally, it’s important to remember that some plants require more care than others, so you’ll want to make sure you choose plants that you will have the time, energy, and resources to care for.
As you are researching, you should also keep your eyes peeled for helpful tips and tricks to help you start and maintain the garden of your dreams.
2. Organize Your Shed
Okay, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a shed. But set aside some time to go through your tools and organize your storage area. Take inventory of the tools you have, and take the time to sharpen their blades, oil their hinges, and do any other maintenance they may need. This will leave all your tools in tip-top shape and ready to be used all season long.
This is also a great time to take inventory. Make a note of any tools that may need to be replaced and supplies like plant supports or tomato cages that need to be restocked. Getting all this stuff done now will give you more time later to spend tending to your garden.
3. Choose An Ideal Location
Now that you have an idea of what you are going to plant in your garden, it’s time to pick a location. You have probably heard from years of science class that plants need sunlight to grow and thrive. While this is true, the amount of sunlight needed varies by plant, which is another reason it’s so important to do your research first.
Spend a few days monitoring the space you are considering for your garden and watch how much sun that area gets. This way, you’ll know if that spot gets enough sunlight for those tomatoes you want to grow or if it would be better suited for vegetables like broccoli or carrots, which only need partial sun.
In addition to testing the sun, there are a few more things to consider. First, you’ll want to ensure that the space is flat. This will make it easier to maintain and help make sure your plants will grow uniformly. Additionally, make sure the location you choose has easy access to water. Whether this is an irrigation system, sprinklers, or a nearby hose, you’ll thank yourself later when you don’t have to haul water back and forth from the house.
4. Get The Ground Ready
Now that you’ve picked out an area to put your garden, it’s time to put in some work to get the ground ready to house all those wonderful plants you’ll be growing. You should clear out all the weeds and other pieces of plants that may be growing in the area so they won’t steal valuable resources from your plants. During this process, you’ll also want to use a shovel to cut away the sod and expose the dirt underneath.
If you would rather put in a little less physical work and are starting early enough in the year, you could try using something known as the lasagna method. This method involves covering the space with a few layers of wet newspaper and topping it with compost to create a weed-free space with rich soil.
5. Start Planting
Finally, it's time for the part you’ve been waiting for–planting! Before putting the seeds into the ground, make sure you read the packages to learn how deep the seeds should go, how to space them, and how long they should be planted. If you are nervous about putting seeds directly into the ground, you can always plant them in pots or growing beds indoors in a controlled environment. Once they grow into seedlings, you can carefully take them out to the open garden and let nature handle the rest. This can be particularly useful for long-season seeds like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale.
6. Tend To Your Garden
So far, nature has shown us that wild plants are the only ones that will grow and bloom without human interference, which means all those plants in your garden are going to need a little help.
Start by adding a layer of mulch to your garden to help keep weeds from growing and competing with your plants for valuable resources. You’ll also want to set aside time as needed to water your plants, remove any weeds that are creeping in, and check on your produce so you know when it’s ready to harvest.
Get Your Garden On
Living the #NewEarthLife means being one with nature and fueling your body with healthy, whole foods. And gardening lets you do both! It allows you to spend time outside and have your own supply of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. You get to grow the food you eat, thrive in nature, and truly enjoy this beautiful life! It really is the perfect activity to add to your healthy lifestyle. So go ahead, get your green thumb ready and get your garden on.