Are you new to gardening? Here are some easy tips to get your garden started off right!
There’s nothing like picking a sun warmed tomato off the vine and popping it in your mouth! Grow your own organic fruits, veggies, and herbs right in your own backyard! I’d like to offer up some advice I wish I had when first starting out.
Start small. This is hard because once you start looking at seeds and plants you realize the volume of variety available. Then you want to grow everything. Taking care of all the everythings would be overwhelming and you’d set yourself up for failure. I recommend digging a small space like a 3’x3’ plot or several containers.
The right spot. If you are using moveable containers the right spot can be found anytime. If you are digging a plot, then finding a sunny location is very important. Scope out a spot before starting. Most vegetables, flowers, and herbs require 6-8 hours of sun a day. Also, make sure you have easy water access.
Good dirt. If you dig a plot, have your soil tested and amend per recommendation. You want soil that drains well and retains some moisture. If you’re using a raised bed or container, a combination or ⅓ perlite/vermiculite (I prefer vermiculite here in Texas because it retains more water and use a mask while handling), ⅓ compost, and ⅓ coconut coir/leaf mold (composted leaves) works well. If you don’t want the trouble of mixing soil, I recommend 2 different kinds of potting/raised bed soil mixes. Go to your local nursery and see what they recommend. Never use all the same brand. One year I filled new raised beds with a bad soil lot and my garden failed. I always mix it up!
Cold loving vs. hot loving plants. Know which plants do well in a cold verses a hot climate. For example, broccoli, cabbage, spinach and lettuce love the cool temperatures and will not grow in excessive heat. Tomatoes, okra, peppers, basil, and beans all do well in heat. It helps to read about what you plant. Understand how plants thrive. Here is a great Vegetable Garden planting guide for Texas.
Seeds and Plants. Follow planting instructions. Choose what you will eat. My first year garden consisted of a 1 cherry tomato plant, 1 bell pepper, several radishes, several marigolds and a basil plant, which I planted in containers. The garden was small, but manageable.
For first time gardeners I recommend buying established plants. If you insist on starting from seeds, try radishes, cucumbers, green beans, and lettuce. These plants are less persnickity than most.
Water and wait. After planting the garden, water, watch, and wait! Keep the soil moist, but not wet. Too much or too little water can kill your garden. Most plants need about an inch of water a week, but be aware of climate. If it rains, don’t water your garden. If it’s hot and windy, your garden may need more water. Container plants need water more often than in ground plants.
Enjoy! Remember to smile when those sun warmed leaves wave at you in the breeze. The first bite you grow will make it all worth it!
Happy Gardening!