There is no better time to start a garden than now. It not as hard as you think as long as you shift your perspective. These 3 steps will challenge your thoughts and help you think “garden” all the time. When you understand how to approach gardening mentally, you’ll knock gardening out the park!
It’s imperative that you plan your garden out! You don’t have to know everything but you do need to have an idea of what you want to do. I like to use a journal to track my thoughts and progress. It’s always a great reference as well for future gardening. When planning, here are a few things you can ask yourself:
What do I want to grow?
Where do I plan to grow?
How am I going to do it?
When will I start?
Each one of those questions are loaded and will set your green thumb on fire. Let me help guide you on answering each.
What – This question should help you decide what plants you are going to grow. First time growers should consider growing food they like or like to try and start from transplants (starter plants) versus starting from seed. This list should be cross referenced to what your growing (hardiness) zone recommends that grow well in your garden. If you’re unsure of your growing zone, try this link and enter your zip code.
Where – This question is directed towards location. Are your growing in your backyard? Patio? Front lawn? Indoors? Answering this questions will slightly impact your what, but greatly impact your when and how. I recommend choosing the most sunniest place you can grow and work with it. You can grow almost anywhere.
How – This question address your method. If you’re growing on a balcony, you will probably go with growing bag or containers. Front lawn and backyard gardening can be in ground, raised beds, and/or containers.
When – This question circles back around to your what, it addresses time. When you start is now! Gardening is an ongoing journey so being aware of when you wish to start is always great to know.
Once you’ve planned your garden, it’s time to implement everything you’ve envisioned. Firstly, start with the base – soil. A great mix to start with is:
When possible, get these items from a local nursery. This ensures and give you the opportunity to ask if ingredients are of good quality and organic. Also, it tends to be more affordable this way.
This is the time to install or make trellis for anything that needs support. It’s helpful to already install trellis and/or support prior to the plant actually growing tall. This prevents root disturbance and possibly hurting the plant later.
Utilize the information you gathered while planning to determine when to plant your seeds or seedlings. Be mindful of recommended spacing between certain plants and be sure that where ever you plant, that area gets as much as sunlight as possible. A general rule is plant smaller seeds no deeper than 1/4 in and you can plant 2-4 seeds per hole/cell. For larger seeds, plant 1-2 seeds per cell/hole.
Water and fertilize your soil prior to planting – one to three days prior especially if you added fertilizer to the soil. This method helps with transplanting shock and prevents fertilizer burn as well assure that the nutrients are well distributed.
Be gentle when transplanting into your garden. Only loosen the roots at the bottom of your plant, water after planting, and monitor for the next few days to ensure it accepts it’s new home well.
Enjoy watching your garden grow! Be on the look out for pest, new growth, and changes in the garden. Take lots of pictures and document in a journal of some kind. Learning what works for you and your garden is the absolute fun part.
Pest Control – Organic pest control is best. Here is an article we wrote on the details of organic pest control.
Fertilizing – Utilizing compost provides a great amount of nitrogen needed in your plants first few weeks of life. After 3-4 weeks, add some sort of nitrogen fertilizer l to supplement for your plant needs. Be sure to follow the directions provided with the fertilizer and dilute any solutions before applications.
Harvest – Harvest often to encourage productivity.
Here you have it. Everything you need to consider to start a garden today. Getting these concepts down pack, you’ll start thinking out the park and dominate gardening on your terms! All I ask is you take this info and help someone else start a garden as well! What are you waiting for?
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I just found your IG page and blog. I am intrigued and excited to see brown and black women educating people about gardening. I do not have a green thumb but I know learning gardening skills is necessary for our future! I am looking forward to this next chapter of life, plants and peaceful living. Thank you!
Hello,
I just started a patio pot garden. I was looking for fellow brown skin garden girls and I came across your blog. I'm excited to continue following you!
I just started a patio pot garden ! I was looking for fellow brown skin garden girls and came across your page. Im excited to continue to follow you!