09/09/2019 / By Zoey Sky
Home gardening is considered by many as one of the most rewarding hobbies. It lets you exercise (especially if you do most tasks by hand) and helps you save money on groceries. But how do you start cultivating a garden in your backyard? (h/t to AYearWithoutTheGroceryStore.com)
Cultivating your own garden means you can grow fresh fruits and vegetables that your family loves to eat, minus the chemicals often found in store-bought produce. To start growing food in your garden, follow these five steps.
On paper, gardening seems like a simple undertaking. But while it offers many benefits, home gardening also has a steep learning curve.
To make the most of your home garden, know your limits such as the space in your backyard or how much time you’re willing to spend on your garden.
Do you have enough free time to maintain a garden? How many hours a week will you spend in your garden?
Plan everything, from the tools you will need to the best vegetables or fruits to plant in your area. Start with plants that require little to no care and those that have short growing cycles. As you get used to tending to your garden, move on to plants that require more care.
There are different types of gardens. For example, you can either till the ground and sow seeds into freshly tilled soil or build raised beds in a central area.
Make sure you choose a method that best suits your location. When planning your garden, leave enough room so it’s easy to harvest your crops. Always maximize crops and minimize walk space.
Learn about the wildlife in your neighborhood. You’ll also need to take measures to keep animals that could steal or destroy your crops out of your garden. Use fences or companion plants to deter these animals.
Lighting is another important factor. Different plants will require different lighting, from partial shade to full sun.
Before you start buying seeds and planting them, learn what zone you are in. You can grow food from seeds or plants as long as you know the germination period and when to start the germination process.
When germinating seeds, learn how to transplant seedlings. You also need to know how deep to plant them and where it is best to plant them in your garden.
If you live in the north, peas will grow well for you. For those who live in the west, consider growing corn. (Related: 5 Garden hacks to boost production and reduce loss.)
Here are some of the best vegetables for beginners.
Companion plants will help your crops thrive. Some companion plants will encourage beneficial insects like pollinators while others will keep out destructive pests like slugs, snails, and wasps.
Marigolds will repel Mexican bean beetles and catnip will repel flea beetles.
Learn when to best harvest crops to make the most of your garden. Save seeds from your crops so you can replant the next year. For example, you can take the seeds out of tomatoes, clean them up, then dry them out.
If you produce a bumper crop, preserve any excess. You can try simple methods such as canning, drying, or freezing.
Home gardening is a worthwhile hobby. Plan ahead, learn from your mistakes, and prepare delicious meals with organic vegetables grown right in your backyard.
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