Starting a garden for the first time? Let us help you with all the best tips and tricks for gardening for beginners so you can get the most out of your harvest!
Many people would love to have fruit and vegetable gardens in their backyard but they have no idea how to get started. There is something exciting about being able to grow your own food. You will have access to what you want, whenever you want, and since you are actively involved in the whole process, you can control how healthy (or organic) these fruits and vegetables will be.
You do not need a large space to grow fruits and vegetables. Some people cultivate a lot of vegetables and herbs on their balconies! Follow this simple guide to know how you can start growing fruits and vegetables today.
Choose the right spot
If you have a garden, you already have a head-start. Clear a section of this garden and dedicate this portion to the growth of fruits and vegetables. Good gardens should be exposed to the sun or placed in well-lit areas. Even your balcony space can work fine if it is well-lit. You may need to use containers when planting on your balcony.
Prepare the soil
The next critical step is soil preparation. The soil should be prepared to offer the plants maximum chance of success. Of course, this depends on your zone, what you want to plant, and the season. Use the right tools to remove weeds and stones from your garden. Keep the soil well-drained and add mulch/compost to enrich it if you want to have a purely-organic garden. Some people may go for artificial fertilizers during this stage.
Plant your fruits and vegetables
You can plant in two ways: grow from seeds or seedlings. The planting way you choose largely depends on the type of fruit and vegetables you want to grow. Some vegetables (such as lettuce and radishes) grow easily from seedlings. Those that have large seeds (such as cucumbers, corn, and beans) can be planted from seeds.
Ensure that these plants have the correct spacing. When spaced correctly, they tend to grow healthy and strong. It is also easy to control the spread of diseases from one plant to the other when they are spaced correctly.
Other gardening for beginners tips you need for successfully growing fruits and vegetables
Although some fruits and vegetables are perennials that can thrive in different seasons of the year, most tend to do better when grown in open, sunny spots. Try to avoid growing your fruits in dark, enclosed spaces if possible.
If you grow climbing plants, support their structure using trellis or fences. This will allow these plants to grow strong. Using a trellis is also a clever way of extending your small garden.
Need seeds for your garden? Learn how to get those for FREE here.
If you decide to go the organic way, you need to be creative about how you will control diseases and pests in your fruit and vegetable garden. Crop rotation is the easiest way to do this. If you are not a fan of this, try making several small beds instead of one large bed. Then plant different crops in those beds.
The ultimate tip for a successful fruit and vegetable garden is to plant vegetables that your family loves. Otherwise, what is the point of taking care of crops that will eventually go to waste because your family does not like consuming them?
Fast-growing fruits and vegetables will give you the motivation you need to keep a vegetable garden throughout the year. You do not want to wait for 8 months before you can harvest your first batch of vegetables or fruits.
Are you an experienced gardener? What other tips would you share with beginners? Be sure to pin this to your favorite gardening board for later!
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