Gardening for Beginners 101
Of all the outdoor hobbies you could start up this spring, gardening has some of the best benefits. Not only is it fun and easy to do, you’ll get lots of exercise, and be left with fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, and a gorgeous looking backyard! If you’re interested in starting a small backyard garden and don’t know where to start, read this guide to gardening for beginners.
Picking Your Base
The first thing you’ll need to decide when you start your garden is what kind of base you’d like to use. You should decide this based on the type of garden you’d like to have, how much money and time you’d like to spend, and the resources you already have!
Raised Bed
A popular choice is using a raised bed for your garden to separate your soil from the rest of your backyard while also allowing for better drainage flow. A raised garden may also be a good option to protect the grass in your yard and to provide your plants with the necessary nutrients they need. For the base of your bed, you can use cardboard, fabric, mulch, concrete, or plastic. This will protect your new garden from pests, toxins, and weeds from infiltrating your garden. There are some benefits to planting on level ground as well, especially if you are only looking for a temporary garden.
Direct Sowing
Planting directly in your backyard requires far less work and handy skills, since you won’t need to build or buy a raised platform. However, you will need to be able to till up the ground you want to work on. Direct sowing will allow you to grow your garden more easily as you become more experienced and want to grow more things.
Choose a Wise Location
The next step is to pick the best spot in your backyard for your garden. You’ll want a location that gets plenty of sun on a daily basis, so make sure you take a look at the sunny spots in your yard that don’t get too much shade from your house or surrounding trees. This spot will also need to be somewhat out of the way from the main areas in your backyard, so it doesn’t get trampled over by any kids or pets! This is especially important if you plan to plant directly in the ground. Another option is to create a small picket fence or sign around your garden as a barrier. You’ll also need a spot that is close to a water source like a hose.
Plant Seasonal Vegetables
Your plants will be most successful if you stick to fruits, vegetables, and flowers that are in season! Plants have their own planting cycles and require different amounts of sunlight, water, and day length, so you have to make sure to plant ones that will have the best chance of surviving and thriving. Some great backyard vegetables for April and May include beans, corn, peppers, peas, tomatoes, and cucumbers. You can also start to plant melons such as cantaloupe and watermelon during these months, which are perfect to enjoy in the warmer weather. If you plan to include flowers in your garden, some of the best for the season are Zinnias, Wisteria, Dahlias, and Lillies.
Keep an Eye on Your Garden
Just like anything else in your home, it’s important to keep an eye on your garden and maintain it as often as possible. Be sure to water your plants regularly, use soil enrichments if necessary, and take out weeds regularly so your plants receive all the nutrients they can. You can also prune any dead leaves from your flowers to speed up growth and keep them healthy.
Maintain Your Home
Taking care of your indoors is just as important as taking care of your backyard and outdoor garden! The spring is prime time for pollen, dirt, and dander entering your home, especially if you have lots of plants and flowers right outside your doors. Protect your home from any outdoor contaminants by cleaning out your filters on your air conditioning system and investing in an air purifier. If you don’t have an air purifier for your home, now is a great time to invest in one to protect your family from airborne allergies and any respiratory discomfort.
Contact Us
We believe in helping customers, whether it be by maintaining or repairing their HVAC system, or providing air purification solutions to keep your home clean and healthy. Shannon’s Heating and Cooling is a trusted American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning Dealer in Pensacola, FL. Call us at (850) 698-3101 or email us at info@shannonshvac.com with any questions or for more information.
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