A couple of years ago, I decided to try my hand at gardening. Not just for flowers though; I wanted to grow my own food. While I had plenty of back yard space, and plenty of tools to help me get the job done, I learned a few things along the way. One of those things was that I had no idea what I was doing. In this day and age though, that is absolutely no excuse.
More and more people these days are choosing to grow their own gardens for a variety of reasons, but the economy is one of the main ones. Families who are feeling the burden of less income have found less costly things to do with their time that also has a level of return - gardening. You can get a patio garden going in a single weekend with just a few tools, and if you have a lot of space, you can get a full blown "in the ground" garden going in your back yard in the same amount of time. Depending on the size, it might take a little longer, but you can still get going relatively quickly. Are you reading this halfway through the season? You can still grow things before the end of the year. Your local garden shop should be able to help you choose the right plants to get you started.
Planning Helps If You Have Time For It
Let's be realistic - weekend warriors don't always have the benefit of time when inspiration strikes. Still, if you have some time to plan your garden before you get started, take advantage of it. Ask local garden shops for advice on what plants would best suit your space. Think about where you will grow your plants. Will they be in a yard? On a patio? In a kitchen window?
Gardening Tips
- If you have time to prepare, try buying seeds and sprouting them indoors before the frost ends, then put them outside when it warms up.
- Use old bottles and containers for growing pots. Saving them now will help you to use them later. I buy refill containers for my soap and cleaning products. They're large enough to use as pots later, so rather than throw them away when they're empty, I cut the tops off, and clean them really well.
- The least expensive thing to garden are herbs. You can grow them in a sunny window and they don't take up a lot of space.
- Start a compost pile in the winter to prepare your soil for the spring and summer. If it's not winter? Start a compost pile anyway! You can reduce the amount of waste you throw out and the compost will be useful later.
- If you don't have all the tools you need (particularly the more expensive ones) but your neighbor does, try borrowing them. Remember to stay on your neighbor's good side though by returning them promptly and in clean condition.
- Buy tools during the off-season. For example, leaf blowers might be on sale in the spring when they're not so in demand.
- Water your plants in the evening. After the sun has gone down, water is more likely to get to the roots of your plants before evaporating away. It also is less stressful on the plant.
Start Gardening Stay Healthy
By growing your own food, you'll begin to experience several benefits. Spending just a few minutes outside every day can help you absorb some sunlight and convert those needed vitamins. Also, depending on how much garden you've got to tend, it might even become part of your physical activity. It beats sitting on the couch! Plus, ask any doctor and they'll agree: eating more fruits and vegetables helps to promote a healthy lifestyle. So, what are you waiting for?
