During this introduction to gardening, you are going to know exactly what you need to start your gardening journey. From someone who never gardened before, I can truthfully tell you what is necessary when you begin the process. Moreover, these gardening tips for beginners will help you enjoy your gardening experience. This post is all about an introduction to gardening.
As someone who is truly a beginner gardener, I am simply learning the steps as we speak. From research to constantly asking questions, I am trying my best to nurture my plants and keep everything afloat. In the past, I have had a few hanging baskets, a couple of tomato plants, and a basil plant.
Nonetheless, this past year, I have really found the experience enjoyable. If nothing else, gardening has taught me to be more observant and to be patient. Additionally, I have gained a new appreciation for expert gardeners as they are truly remarkable individuals.
As I walk by so many experts in local nurseries, I appreciate their passion and their pure talent. Plus, I always try to strike a conversation with anyone who dares to respond. I have to say I haven’t met one who isn’t willing to discuss the beauty of planting. Hence, I would like to share their knowledge with you.
This post is all about an introduction to gardening.
Table of Contents
Introduction to Gardening
What are the Basics of Gardening?
Must Have Gardening Tools
As of now, I would only suggest getting gloves, a trowel, a cultivator, a pruner, and a cushioned kneeling pad. Even so, I don’t have a kneeling pad, but I really could use one. Both of my knees have red marks and look awful from the process. I don’t know about you, but there are just things that I neglect purchasing. The pad is one of them.
Anyhow, back to the necessities. So with the need for gloves, I have a funny story. Last year, my husband built these absolutely gorgeous gardening beds, and so when he did that, he also purchased me these super stylish gardening gloves. Well, lo-and-behold, I put them on immediately, not realizing that only after a few brief minutes of moving dirt and preparing the soil, they were no longer recognizable.
Hence, when I say gloves, I mean you will probably want a pair for the heavy-duty jobs, and then a sweet, cute pair for those light days of maintaining your plants.
Nonetheless, when my sister purchased these gloves for me, I was so thankful to have a fresh pair for the season.
As for the other tools, a simple set like this one found at Target is more than enough to get started.
Additionally, if you find something else that you know works wonders, please share it in the comments.
For how to store all of your gardening items, check out this post too.
Preparing Soil for Planting
To start preparing your soil, you can make use of the cultivator that really just looks like a tiny rake. Now, depending on what your plan or vision is, you may at this point need more “yardwork tools” than just your “gardening tools.”
To paint the picture more clearly, when I started gardening, I literally had to dig up the front lawn flower beds and start from scratch. Therefore, I needed a major shovel, a wheelbarrow, and a ton of water. The water was for me!
I took all of the old and crusty mulch and gross weeds out of the front and wheelbarrowed it down to the bottom of my yard. All I can say about this process is that at least it didn’t rain. That’s pretty much the only positive.
In fact, while I was in the process of shoveling the dirt, I questioned my decision to start this process.
Of course, now, I am so glad that I just kept trying to improve the front lawn.
Nonetheless, preparing your soil allows you to have a strong foundation to increase your chances of seeing real progress.
Introduction to Gardening: Garden Zones
Okay, so this whole aspect of gardening was news to my ears. I had no idea prior to starting my garden that there were zones. In essence, knowing your garden zone will give you some knowledge as to what is going to grow successfully and what to stay away from.
Use this site to find your exact garden zone.
Once you know your zone, you can investigate when you can plant and more importantly what you can’t plant. Seeds and plants normally have this information listed on the tags and/or packaging.
Introduction to Gardening: Garden Vision
When you enter gardening, you probably do have a grand vision of what you want it to look like. Nevertheless, you have to be okay will having visions of sugar plums, yet at the same time, accepting disappointment as well.
Remember, a beautiful garden isn’t born, it is made. 🙂 Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so sit tight and understand that your vision is a great goal. That’s it though. It is your goal. Don’t put a due date on it because as you will soon find out, you will always try to perfect your garden and perfect the “vision.” That’s the fun part of the whole process.
Introduction to Gardening
How Do You Start a Garden for Beginners?
Ask an Expert Gardener
As I mentioned before, ask questions all the time. Just like in teaching, I have found that my best students ask questions. They don’t worry about whether they are perfectly worded or what others may think about their questions, they just raise their hands and ask.
Just like them, go ahead and reach out to fellow gardeners in your area for advice. You’d be surprised at how lovely these conversations will be and how much information you’ll learn from the process.
For instance, I asked a local landscaper/florist a few questions while at a nursery in the area. She was absolutely delightful, and I appreciated all of her advice. From our brief conversation, she advised me that the current knock out rose bushes I was looking at were, in fact, diseased.
Additionally, I asked a few of my neighbors for their advice regarding “my vision.” Thankfully, my one conversation led me to realize how to fill this awkward bare area in my front garden bed.
Immediately, I try to apply their advice to my own gardening process. Needless to say, not only do I appreciate their talents, but I really do enjoy their passion.
Knowing Failure Is Part of Success
From this entire process, you must be calm when things fail. Unfortunately, things are going to fail, but it’s all about your reaction.
Laugh at your mistakes. They are bound to happen. When I started planting flowers, I tried to do it directly from seed, and finally, after almost three months, I had flowers. So sit tight, and enjoy the ride.
Plant Your Seeds
Now that you have the confidence to go forward, plant your seeds and know that you are about to embark on one extremely satisfying journey.
This post is all about an introduction to gardening.
& Remember
Start with the Bed,
Juliet
