Gardening Advice for Newbie Gardeners

A garden can be anything you want! For some, a simple act of growing and caring for a few houseplants constitutes a garden. For others, it may be growing flowers and plants that help boost the curb appeal of their home. Or, it could be creating a veggie garden to help supplement their food options for their family. A garden can be as simple or elaborate as you want it to be.

If you are considering starting a garden, here are some reasons why you should:

It is more sustainable

It helps the bee and butterfly populations

It beautifies your space

it is good exercise (physical)

It provides a sense of well-being when you are connected with nature (mental/spiritual)

The first step is to determine how much and what kind of space you have to work with. Get a notebook and write down the following questions:

Where is this garden going? (backyard, front yard, patio in containers etc.)

How much light does the area I want to grow in receive? Different plants require different light. Monitor the space throughout the day. Or you can purchase a light monitor that can do the work for you. Most big box retailers carry them.

What types of plants do you want to grow? Do you want flowers, vegetables, shrubs etc.

Will the area have access to a water source?

How much time do I want to dedicate to this garden?

My advice is to start small. You can always add on to your garden later. Start on a scale that is easy to manage so you do not become overwhelmed.

For those readers who already have gardens, what were your reasons for starting one?

Throughout this blog series, I will be touching on several topics.

Which topics do you want to know more about?

I will also answer specific questions, so please feel free to send me your questions! No question is too silly! This is a place to share knowledge and all are welcome!