If you are looking for a new and rewarding hobby, you should certainly consider gardening. Not only does gardening provide you with an activity that will keep you active and outside in the beauty of nature, it can also provide you with fresh flowers and produce for you and your whole family to enjoy. If you think that gardening might be for you, read this article to get some basic information on the things you need to know to start gardening in the next growing season.
The first piece of information that you should research is the local climate data and what plant hardiness zone you live in. You may be thinking that you can just go to your local big box store and buy whatever they have available, assuming that they would only sell what works best in your area, but you would be wrong. Those stores sell things to a national audience, and many depend on inexperience and ineptitude to sell things that don’t grow well in specific areas. Do some research to find out what your plant hardiness zone is and what kind of plants would do best in your area. Then you will be able to decide what plants you are going to buy.
Not only do you need to know the local climate data and what plants grow well in your area, you also need to know what the growing season is. If you plant too early, there is a high chance that you will end up with a dead plant due to frost. If you plant too late, your plants may not have enough time to grow into fruit and vegetable producing plants. Find out exactly when you need to plant your crops and do not stray more than a week before or after the recommended date.
Before you commit to a location of your garden, you should evaluate how much sun your garden will be getting in the summer. If you live in a temperate area, you want more sun, if you live in an extremely hot area, you may want to plant your garden where it will get partial or indirect sunlight. The types of plants you want to grow will also have some bearing on the location and amount of sun light needed, so be sure to take into account all these considerations before planting.
When you locate your garden, you need to ensure that the soil has proper drainage. In many areas, clay or other soils make it difficult to drain your garden. If this is the case in your area you may need to prepare your garden by adding rocks beneath the surface of your soil or by installing french drains.
This article is meant as a starting point for the beginning gardener. Hopefully it has given you the drive and motivation you need, along with the questions you need to ask to get started on your path towards successful gardening. Good luck to you and to your garden and hopefully you will be enjoying fresh produce before the next growing season is over.
