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Beginners gardens tips for just starting out
June 16th, 2022 by
Having an outdoor space can be a real joy in the spring and summer months when we can make use of it. It’s really good for both mental and physical health to be outside and get fresh air and sunshine. Improving your gardening skills will not only enable you to create a beautiful garden space, but the time spent in it tending to your borders, pots, and lawn can be a really enjoyable experience in itself.
If you are new to gardening, you may be wondering where to begin so here are some very basic tips that will allow you to kick-start your gardening skills.
Your growing endeavours will be greatly rewarded if you start by understanding your garden, rather than just throwing plants in and hoping for the best. What we mean by this is to consider things like the aspect of your garden (eg north or south facing etc), which areas get the sun and when, and what type of soil you have. Understanding these things will allow you to choose plants that will thrive in the conditions you have.
Figuring these things out doesn’t have to be difficult. For example, maybe ask your neighbours who may be more advanced gardeners than you (and will have similar conditions) or observe what is growing well in their gardens (you can download apps that identify different plants).
Planning your garden is just like planning anything else; it helps to set some objectives first. If you would like to use your garden for spending time in/entertaining, think about where you will put some seating. Perhaps think about the view from your house as you can take enjoyment from your garden from looking at it as much as you can spending time in it. Even consider practical things like where you will put your washing line or where the bins will have to go and prioritise the areas that get the sun for planting or sitting; you don’t want to spend time doing your garden up, only to find that the area you placed your seating is always in the shade (unless that’s what you prefer).
Knowing your soil type is really useful information and will save you a lot of time and money by avoiding planting things that won’t grow in the soil you have. You can buy a soil testing device for less than £10 and that will tell you things like light levels, moisture content, and alkalinity/acidity. Not only will it help you choose the right plants, but there may also be strategies you can implement to improve the soil quality. Remember, the success of your planting relies very heavily on the quality of the soil they’re planted in.
Once you understand all the things we have covered above, you can start choosing your plants. Do some research on what plants grow well in the conditions you have. Also, consider the aesthetic qualities of plants such as the kinds of blooms and colours you like and which combinations look good together. Do a bit of research into how the plants you like will grow. For example, some plants will get much taller or spread more widely over time, so make sure you have the room and would be happy with that. Think about how high maintenance they are to grow. As a beginner gardener, you may want to start with easy to care for plants, so do a little research to manage your expectations.
Believe it or not, there is more to planting than simply making a hole and throwing a bulb or plant in. If you are buying new plants, look at the label for instructions related to that plant and if there aren’t any, do a bit of research online (it should at least tell you the name of the plant). Different plants will need different planting methods, for example, trees planted too deeply won’t do well and root balls planted too shallowly and therefore sit above the soil level are likely to dry out.
Water and sunlight are the two main things that plants require to thrive. While we all know that we need to water plants over the drier months, there is a right and wrong ways to do that. Generally speaking, water the roots rather than the leaves (as the roots draw the water) and it’s better to give them a good soak once a week than watering a little every day. Many plants will also benefit from feeding every couple of weeks over the summer (you can buy plant food granules that you add to the soil and water in). Don’t forget about your grass either. Adding a nutrient like iron sulphate to your lawn every 6-8 weeks will help it grow strong and give it a lush green colour.
As well as choosing plants that look nice, consider ones that will benefit the local wildlife. You can choose ones that help bees and butterflies to thrive and fruit bushes and trees will attract birds. You could even create habitats for frogs, toads, and hedgehogs if you want to see some diverse animal activity!
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