Gardening Basics
You've always marveled at and admired other's gardens. You've even considered planting your own garden, but everything you've ever planted has met a routinely wretched fate. Put aside past blunders and start with the basics.
Gardening is the art of growing plants with the goal of crafting a beautiful landscape or providing produce and the science of keeping the plants alive and thriving. Residential gardening most often takes place in or about a residence, in a space referred to as the garden. Although a garden typically is located on the land near a residence, it may also be located on a roof, in an atrium, on a balcony, in a window box, on a patio, or terrarium.
Gardening also takes place in non-residential green spaces, such as parks, public or semi-public gardens (botanical gardens or zoological gardens), amusement and theme parks, along transportation corridors, and around tourist attractions and hotels. In these situations, a staff of gardeners or groundskeepers maintains the gardens.
Planting and gardening tips
Decorative planters for everyday nature
Using decorative planters means your garden is easy to move and ready for emergencies. Although well-suited for urban environments, rural folks can still enjoy indoor planter arrangements. The following planting and gardening tips provide insight for a fulfilling planter experience.
Soil
One important planting and gardening tip is selecting the right dirt. Potting soil is balanced to specific types of plants and serves several functions:
- Nourish the plant.
- Drain easily from planters without losing too much moisture.
- Keep bugs and diseases from ruining planters.
Some soil-less mixes are also available to prevent soil-borne diseases and insects from invading planters. Another resilient base for decorative planters is compost. Or make your own special soil by mixing equal parts of sand, loamy garden soil, and peat moss. Whatever goes into decorative planters, make sure the balance is stable.
Location
Planting and gardening tips vary according to location, particularly for indoors. Inside, decorative planters become a gorgeous instrument of interior design. Consider areas inside and out where decorative planters will thrive.
In general, make sure decorative planters get at least five hours of sunlight every day. Leafy plants can go with less, fruiting plants will need much more. For indoor planter gardening, seek golden locations near windows, or choose plants that thrive in low-light environments. Proper setting of the decorative planter is crucial to plant survival.
Decorative planters in the home
Many decorative planters are available to spice up your living spaces. Wheelbarrow planters are classic additions to landscapes. Made of resilient wood, wheelbarrow planters are hardy enough to survive the harsh outdoor climates. A garden planter is great for a patio. Different shapes such as triangular or crescent planters add distinct variety to planter designs.
With a vibrant imagination, planter gardening has no limits. Learn all you can, seek advice when necessary, and the planter garden of your dreams will flourish in your home.
Greenhouse terms
People who live in glass houses should know these words
Glazing - A glazing, the same as any that might be applied to your home windows, helps keep warm rays from escaping once they enter. Unlike in your home, a greenhouse glazing may be somewhat opaque and thick, to greatly increase the temperature without concern for visibility.
Vent Control - There are several products available that vent your greenhouse. Of course, simply opening the door when things get a little too hot is acceptable, but there are options. A solar-powered vent control can be set to one-degree increments, opening a door, roof, or wall vents. This way you don’t have to worry about your greenhouse overheating.
Seedling Heat Mat - To get the young guys going, sometimes it’s necessary to provide a little help. A heat mat gives radiant heat to the roots of young plants, about 10 degrees higher than the ambient temperature.
Lighting - You’ll need a decent set of lights to make your greenhouse worth the effort. We suggest reflective aluminum inserts, a mounting system, and individual on/off switches. Other things you may want to consider are built-in ballasts and glass lenses.
Watering Systems - Greenhouse watering systems are plentiful and varied. The handier ones operate on gravity and are self-filling. Some greenhouse kits have a combined watering/fertilizer unit.
Greenhouse Misting - Misting your greenhouse is a reliable way to maintain the temperature cool and safe for your plants. A good greenhouse misting kit can lower the temperature by as much as 25 degrees F. Misters also provide greenhouse humidification at the optimal levels, around 50-70%. Make it easy on yourself and get one that connects to a hose or outside faucet.
Greenhouse Heater - Most gardeners simply use a portable space heater. About 25-30% of your heat can be acquired from the sun, and a properly insulated greenhouse will keep warm enough. Some gardeners use solar power to operate their heaters and save on costs, but this is a fickle source and should always have something reliable on backup.
Greenhouse Kit - This general term describes a number of packages that you can buy to get you started. Some will have all you need, and others will be simply a frame and your greenhouse panels. Even larger greenhouses are sold as kits, not just portable or mini-greenhouses. These will save you time and money, along with giving you the comfort of having a phone number to call in case things get tricky for you.
Garden tool storage tips and tricks
Wouldn’t you like to keep clutter to a minimum?
Tools are hard to keep in order, especially if you don’t use them every day. While a good set of pruners, hedge clippers, or a shovel is essential, often searching for the tool takes longer than the job itself. When you finally find the tool you need, it is often dull or in bad shape. Tools that are encrusted in dirt, or have dull edges are difficult to work with, as well as dangerous. Here are a few tips to help you keep your instruments in top working form.
Organization
Storing your garden tools in one location is essential. It sets a standard for how tools are treated. Family members and neighbors who use the tools will be less likely to mistreat them if you practice proper storage procedures.
There are a number of convenient storage approaches to consider. Whether it’s in a shed, a rack, or locker, there are plenty of ways for you to keep your gardening supplies handy and neat. One option is to use a large vinyl chest or shed. These are relatively inexpensive and quick to put up. If you have enough room in the garage, use a garden storage bench or do-it-yourself storage.
One popular, convenient Do-It-Yourself storage method is the old “sand in a bucket” system. Purchase a galvanized washbasin from the hardware store and fill it ¾ of the way with sand. Add some motor oil, used oil works just fine, and then plant the tools in the bucket. This method keeps them oiled and debris-free while also helping them hold their edge a little longer.
Maintenance
The tools you use to maintain your yard need to be maintained as well. While using the “sand in a bucket” method may help somewhat in regard to maintenance, your work shouldn’t end there. Making sure tools are oiled and sharp not only protects the tool, it protects you as well.
A sharp tool means that you will reduce the likelihood of accidents. Whether it is a tree saw or a shovel, a sharp well-maintained tool will function smoothly and more predictably. Fortunately, sharpening your tools is not as foreboding a task as one might think.
For a shovel or a hoe you will need a file, a solid surface, and a light spray oil. Leverage the tool against a workbench or picnic table while running the file on the edge. Be sure to file at the same angle that the tool had originally been sharpened at. For an edged tool, such as a pruner or saw, precision-sharpening sets can be purchased at most home improvement stores. These sets cost as little as ten dollars and can sharpen the tool to a better edge than when it was brand new. They can also be used on kitchen and utility knives as well.
Cleaning planters
Planters are great vessels for portable gardening. Cleaning planters is a relatively easy endeavor that keeps your containers beautiful and your plants healthy.
Everybody inside!
Cleaning planters is an involved project. Planters, especially porous glazed clay and terra-cotta, should be brought inside. Moisture collects deep inside pores, so when the freeze comes, planters crack. Wooden decorative planters such as wheelbarrow planters can stay outside. Cleaning planters outside can be as involved as cleaning planters inside, so carry on with the following advice.
Or everybody out!
While cleaning planters, some gardeners empty their pots completely, replacing the old dirt with fresh soil in the spring. New plants love nutrient-rich soil. Also, old soil is compacted, and the roots cannot get air so easily. Exchanging soil make breathing a lot easier. Cleaning planters also alleviates another concern: Old soil is a breading ground for disease, weeds, and insects.
A good scrub
With the old dirt gone, cleaning planters goes full throttle. Spray the planter out with a powerful garden hose. Next, use a stiff-bristled brush and a diluted solution of bleach water to thoroughly scrub inside the planter. This brushing will remove salts and kill any germs or insect eggs hiding inside. Dishwashers are great for cleaning small planters.
But I like these plants!
Of course, you have those plants you want to keep. Planter scrubs needn’t be so devastating. Cleaning planters housing plants such as bonsai trees is easy. Use a mild soap and warm water to wipe off the planter. Any soil caking to the outside can be easily removed with a pocket knife. Be sure to check with your local garden supplier for proper soil care and inspection for your particular plant.
Yearly maintenance will not only extend the life of a planter, it makes the plant inside healthier. Spend an afternoon cleaning planters, and the garden will be gorgeous for many seasons to come.
Gardening supply checklist
Gardening is still work
Most jobs can't be started without the proper supplies. Gardening is no different. In order to start gardening you will undoubtedly need gardening supplies. There are many supplies that can be included on this list and most don't have to be purchased immediately or at the onset of the project. You will probably need most if not all throughout the course of your gardening career. The following is a brief list of some important supplies.
- Fertilizers, Soil Amendments and Plant Foods
- Garden Seeds
- Tools and Accessories
- Pest and Disease Control
- Nutrients
Every living thing needs some form of nutrition. For plants, these nutrients come in many forms. The most commonly applied nutrients are nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K). Most plants respond well to these three elements. The response is usually faster growth and better production. These fertilizers are especially important for home gardens and landscaping.
Organic matter such as grass clippings, tree leaves, shrubbery, and tree trimmings are all excellent sources of plant nutrients. These sources had already accumulated the requisite and essential nutrients for their own growth needs. Upon decomposition, those nutrients in the organic material become available for reuse. This is the best option because you valuable materials in the environment while reducing yard waste. Other organic materials like animal manure are also good sources of plant nutrients.
Garden seeds and seedlings
What seeds you purchase depends on what type of flower, plant, or vegetable you want to grow in your garden. This, of course, is subjective, but one of the more entertaining undertakings of gardening. With the right care and attention, these seemingly lifeless seeds will be your garden. It's a pretty amazing process.
Most retail stores carrying garden supplies and tools will carry garden seeds (perennial, annual, or vegetable). These packages are inexpensive and contain between 20 and 40 seeds per package. Most of the packages have instructions and information about planting specific seeds. If you choose to transplant your plants, visit a local nursery to get the best deals and products. It's important to prepare the soil before planting and transplanting.
Tools and accessories
If only hands and fingers were enough when it came to gardening tools. Unfortunately, we, fragile humans, need the assistance of tools. The following tools will be much needed when you're gardening.
- Wheelbarrow: Used to haul earth or transplanted plants. Other uses exist, but for gardening, you'll probably use it for hauling dirt or debris.
- Shovels and Spades: You should use a sharp spade for digging and a shovel for picking up excess debris. Handle lengths depend on the user's comfort, but longer handles offer more leverage, making dirt removal easier.
- Pruners: This tool is used to shape bushes and shrubs. They are also used to maintain healthy plants. Make sure the tool chosen is comfortable.
- Garden and Soaker Hoses: Water is essential for the survival of all plants and we can't always count on rain. It is important to water your plants and gardens frequently. Soaker hoses are the best source for a constant, yet not destructive stream. Try to provide at least one inch of water to plants and gardens every week.
Pest control
First, you need to identify the problematic pest. Sometimes, what might appear to be a pest is actually not, but rather the best thing for your garden. Once the creature is identified as a foe, take a sample of the creature to the nearest nursery or extension office. This will help further identify the problem and provide the best answer for eliminating the problem, hopefully, once and for all. Try to remove pests with a natural method first. If this doesn't do the trick, use a recommended pesticide.
Read also: All About Pest Control
Gardening for beginners
Start small
Chances are that you won't have the option of gardening expansive tracts of land in your yard. If you do, you should probably consider it a farm. Nevertheless, starting off small does not suggest your lack of ability as a gardener. Gardening in a small area or with few plants is the right step when you're a beginner.
A small garden is good for beginning gardeners. First, the task will not seem overwhelming. Second, if you are unsuccessful the area will not be as noticeable (remember we learn more from failure). So, find a spot where the garden is sure to be seen both from inside your house as well as outside. Your garden is to be enjoyed and therefore must be seen.
Choosing the site
Certain plants require certain growing conditions. Before planting, make sure the area where you want to garden is suitable for the intended plants. Vegetables and most flowering plants need about six hours of sunlight a day. You'll want to consider when the sun hits the desired area. Generally, sun exposure in the afternoon tends to dry out plants faster because it is usually hotter than morning exposure. Also, evaluate other factors that make plant survival difficult like foot traffic and wind exposure. After considering the right site, you're ready to begin gardening.
All important soil
It may seem obvious, but checking the soil is probably the most important factor when beginning a garden. Plants do best in unobstructed top soil. As a beginning gardener, if you're unable to determine the soil's texture (sandy, clay, or rocky), check your soil's pH. An acceptable range for most plants falls in a neutral range (6.2 to 6.8). Any questions about pH can usually be answered at a local nursery.
The growing area
The area where you choose to garden must be cleared of any pre-existing grass or weeds. You can till the area in the fall without removing the grass or weeds. This allows the refuse to decompose adding to the fertility of the area in the spring. You'll probably want to add an organic fertilizer in the spring. Good soil is the key to the garden.
Time to plant
Ideally, you'll want to plant on an overcast day with rain in the forecast. Realistically, you will plant when you have the time. Keep in mind to limit stress to new plants as much as possible. Here are some general tips.
- Water the plants in their pots the day before you intend to plant.
- Don't remove all the plants from their pots and leave them sitting in the sun for the roots to dry out.
- Bury the plant to the depth it was in the pot. Too deep and the stem will rot. Too high and the roots will dry out.
- Don't press down hard on the plants as you cover them. Watering will settle them into the ground.
- Water your newly planted garden as soon as it is planted and make sure it gets at one inch of water per week.
- Cover the area with mulch.
Garden maintenance
Maintenance of the area is crucial. Everything is planted and growing. Now you need to keep it that way. Make sure the area receives a sufficient amount of water. You'll also need to keep the garden weed-free. When you're weeding the garden, take some time to remove old blossoms. If some of the plants are starting to bend, correct this by staking them. Lastly, enjoy your garden's sights and smells. After all, that is why you planted it.