How to Start a Backyard GardenDetermine Your Climate Zone. Decide if you are going to grow from seed or transplant seedlings. Plant your seeds or seedlings with care. Either way, work the soil only when it's wet enough to form a loose ball in your fist, but dry enough to melt when you release it.
Digging when the soil is too dry is a harder job and can damage the soil structure if it is too wet. Use a shovel or spade fork to gently twist the top 6 to 8 inches of soil, mixing the organic matter from Step 4 at the same time. Walking on prepared beds compacts the floor, so place plywood boards temporarily to distribute your weight evenly. Seedlings should never be allowed to dry out, so water daily.
It narrows as the plants grow. Transplants also need frequent watering (about every other day) until their roots are established. After that, how often you need to water depends on soil, humidity, and rainfall, though once a week is a good place to start. Clay soil dries more slowly than sandy soil, so you won't need to water it as often.
Sunny and windy conditions dry the soil more quickly than cold, cloudy weather. Not sure yet? Feel the soil 3-4 inches below the surface. If you're feeling dry, it's time to water. Water slowly and deeply, so water absorbs rather than drains.
To minimize evaporation, water early in the morning. Step-by-Step Guide to Starting a Garden Choose a Space to Start Your Garden. To get you started, here are 10 steps recommended by the National Garden Association. Mulching is the most effective way to prevent weeds.
Add a 2- to 4-inch thick layer of organic mulch to your garden to prevent weeds from overgrowing your crops. If weeds appear in the garden, grab them by the stems and pull hard, making sure to extract the entire root. Here are some great things about gardening for beginners and how to start a garden in 8 easy steps. The back of the yard behind the shed may get more sun, but if you don't see your garden regularly, you may forget about it.
Get rid of destructive insects (such as tomato hornworms) by plucking them off the plant and dropping them into a bucket of soapy water, washing them with a hose, or spraying them with insecticidal soap purchased from a garden center. There are dozens of different ways to do just about everything, but you won't know what works best for you and your garden until you try. You don't use a butter knife to chop raw carrots, and you shouldn't use blunt or flimsy tools to work in your garden. Specially designed containers or floors for seedlings and soil mixtures starting with seeds are available at garden centers.
Having a garden at home brings color and life to your garden and also rewards you with fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs. To get the most out of your garden, you should make plans at the beginning of the year and follow the right steps during the garden season. In addition to providing healthy and inexpensive food, horticulture is an interesting hobby, in which the whole family can participate. If possible, talk to successful gardeners in your area to find out which crops grow well and which don't.
Check plant labels or ask staff at your local garden center to help you understand how much sun a plant needs. Still, it doesn't have to be complicated; when you break down your project into manageable steps, you can garden at your own pace. .
