There are many reasons why people decide to learn gardening. Some of the leading reasons include saving on grocery costs, growing organic vegetables and fruits, while others do it as a hobby. Any of these are exciting for growing enthusiasts.
Regardless of your reason, you’ll need to know some tricks of the trade to master your gardening efforts. Check out this article for 7 cool gardening tips that will turn you into an expert gardener even if this is your first time in the garden.
1. Do Your Research
There is a lot that goes into gardening─ sometimes it may seem overwhelming. Yet, it is possible to start from scratch and make a good harvest if you’re well prepared. Before you decide on the best grow lights, (Shop) fertilizer, or even plants to grow to talk to an expert.
An expert will help you understand the best type of plants to grow based on the conditions of your environment and your availability to tend to the plants. For example, some plants will require up to eight hours of sunlight while others can survive with limited sunlight.
Watching videos, reading books, and speaking to others with experience will give you a good foundation for the craft.
2. Start Small
One of the mistakes that novice gardeners make is starting too big. As much as you may be excited to share your produce with your family, it’s best to get started with a small portion. This allows you room for mistakes and a chance to learn all the shortcomings you need to conquer.
Starting at a smaller scale also helps you avoid getting too discouraged and overwhelmed by the whole process. You can add more plants as you gain experience.
It’s also advisable to start with plants that do not require too much work. For example, protecting broccoli from pests can be very challenging and requires diligence. On the other hand, growing zucchini is super easy.
3. Remember to Label Your Plants
If you’re planning to plant multiple plants, being able to identify them as they develop may be a challenge for first-time gardeners. To avoid confusion that may result in you providing your plants with the wrong nutrients, consider labeling them. You can use DIY materials such as popsicle sticks or chopsticks to label them.
4. Save on Costs
To be an expert gardener, one thing you have to learn is cutting on costs when you can. There are plenty of things you can do to reduce your startup costs for your garden. Here are some ideas:
Harvest Water
If your water bills are high, gardening can be very expensive. However, you can collect water when it rains and use it during the dry season.
Use Old Jars as Watering Cans
This is an excellent idea if you just started farming and you don’t want to buy a watering can. This is also a great recycling idea.
Get Creative With Your Garden Structure
You may be thinking having a garden is impossible due to your limited space. However, there is a variety of ways to actually structure your plants. Try out different types of methods, such as stacking planted pots in vertical furniture.