New to gardening? Our experts here at Jolly Lane Greenhouse are sharing their best gardening knowledge to ensure even the newest of gardeners can have a successful growing season. Here are the top things to consider and keep in mind throughout your gardening process to help you have the most successful garden ever!
Research and Planning
First things first, you don’t want to jump in before knowing what you’re getting into! What kind of garden is it that you are looking to start? Vegetables? Flowers? Greenery? Don’t underestimate the power of a good plan! Every garden will have different maintenance requirements, so our advice is to start small and add as you get the hang of it. You will also need to decide if you are wanting to plant perennials, that come back year after year—or annuals, that you guessed it, will need to be planted annually.
Once you’ve decided what kind of garden you are looking to plant, you’ll have to decide what it looks like. Are you planting in containers or in a bed of soil? How much space do you have available? What kind of sunlight does this space get throughout the day? Are you purchasing started plants, or using seeds? These factors will determine what all you will be needing, and just how much—including the plants themselves! If you need help with making the decision of what’s right for you, don’t hesitate to ask one of our experts at Jolly Lane Greenhouse!
Preparing your garden
Although prep work can often be tedious and isn’t always immediately gratifying, it is very important to create the best environment for your plants to grow in. You want to make sure that you have the right soil, fertilizer, and mulch. You also want to plan how the irrigation of water to your plants will work. If you are planting in containers this means figuring out the best drainage system so that the soil doesn’t dry out to fast, but also so that the container isn’t holding extra moisture where it isn’t needed. You can add a small flower pot set upside down inside your larger pots so that more oxygen can get to the plant’s roots, you won’t have to use as much potting materials, and it can help with drainage. Don’t forget to insert a material like mesh into the bottom of your pots so that the soil stays inside.
Here's the dirt: create the best soil environment as possible for your plants. Most likely, it will need some work. You want to create an inviting and fertile environment which can be done by turning the top few inches of soil and incorporating some organic matter into the mix. This can be compost, leaves etc… just to add some nutrients into the soil. Try not to overwork your soil so you don’t interrupt the ecosystems and earthworms that can contribute to an environment in which your plants can thrive!
Mulch—Using mulch in your garden helps facilitate growth in a few different ways. Mostly, it prevents soil from drying out, especially in areas that receive sunlight throughout the day. Incorporating different textures can also deter garden pests such as slugs or digging rodents.
Planting
Now that you have figured out the plants that will do best in your garden environment, and prepared the space, you can get to work getting them in the ground! If you are starting with seeds, you may want to work on germination and planting them in containers inside until they are strong enough to withstand the forces of nature outdoors. Otherwise, it is best to get your plants into the soil as quickly as possible so that the roots don’t become crowded and the plant can stay as healthy as possible. Make sure that you read the plant tags to ensure you are allowing them enough space to reach their full potential.
Maintenance
Make sure you are keeping your plants as happy as possible with frequent watering, fertilizer, mulch, and weeding to ensure the best growing conditions! Keep an eye out and monitor how they are responding and adjust accordingly along the way! Make sure that you aren’t over or underwatering. Removing dead leaves and unwanted parts of the plant can provide more fruitful growth and improve your garden’s aesthetic.
Enjoy the fruits (vegetables, and flowers) of your labor!
Nothing is better than being able to watch all your hard work pay off with a beautiful garden! Whether it is purely aesthetic or you will be harvesting your grow, a job well done deserves the pride and appreciation it deserves! You’ve put a lot of time and energy into the garden, so make sure you enjoy it!
These are just a few of the basics to think about if you are wanting to start and maintain a healthy garden. For expert tips and advice, and a huge variety of plants and gardening accessories, see one of our trained professionals at Jolly Lane Greenhouse, and get growing today! Don’t forget to check out our Spring Open House on April 24 & 25th!