Garden Tips

By Pauline Sparrow

Anyone can grow a beautiful garden even if you have little or no gardening experience. Gardening is a fun and relaxing hobby which can be enjoyed whether you have a window box or an acre of land. Getting started doesn't have to cost you a fortune either - expensive equipment isn't necessary.

Whatever you want to do - grow fruit, vegetables, herbs, flowers or create your own retreat there are plenty of resources available to help you grasp the gardening basics.
Practical gardening tips for beginners

Vegetable gardening

There's nothing like the taste of home grown produce. Growing your own vegetables is a healthy and cheaper alternative for many people, so why not try it yourself? Vegetable gardening doesn't have to be difficult or expensive. You don't need a lot of space - containers are great for growing many different types of vegetables. Always research the plants you want to grow before purchasing them. You don't need to grow from seed as young vegetable plants can be purchased from nurseries and grown on at home. Start small - choose one or two easy to cultivate varieties. Once you have developed your gardening skills you can expand your crops and try growing different varieties from seed.

Landscape gardening

The most important step when creating a fabulous garden retreat is planning. Think about what you are trying to achieve, develop a plan in line with any features you already have or are planning to add e.g. a waterfall or pond for instance. Don't try to do too much at once - break the project down into manageable sections. Research what varieties of plants you want in each section. Pay attention to what time of year they flower and whether they like sun or shade. Prepare the areas you wish to plant thoroughly before planting, removing weeds and conditioning the soil if necessary. Ensure you place taller plants at the back of each section so they don't overshadow the shorter varieties. Make sure plants are watered regularly. If you follow these basic landscape gardening tips you can have a beautiful garden retreat to enjoy for years to come.

Herb gardening

Herbs have a wide variety of uses, the most common being culinary. Herb gardening can be in garden beds or containers, but whatever the medium, the soil must be well drained and in a sunny location. If you are using your herbs for cooking, then locate your crop where it can be easily harvested. Take the time to understand the needs of your herbs and make sure that you water, prune and feed them regularly. A little effort can go a long way when herb gardening, so do your research. Don't be afraid to make mistakes - it's the only way we learn. But most of all, have fun!


Visit Gardening Basics for more beginners hints and tips.
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