Learning How to Garden
Learning how to garden can be as easy as falling off a log or as complex as you want if you really like a challenge.
The first involves simple lessons about soil, basic plant care information and what do you like or want in your garden: ornamentals or food gardening.
The latter involves the more advanced: such specific activities like grafting, growing from seed, propagating hybrids and rare plants, hothouse growing and so on.
The good news is that the first is all you need to learn to be a good gardener and to have a lush garden that pleases the eye, sense of smell and gives satisfaction for work well done.
Designing a garden doesn’t require a huge amount of study – most of the knowledge you will need comes free from your local nursery where you buy your plants.
The local neighbourhood and parks can also give you ideas of what grows well and also even ideas about design.
There are many websites, including ours, that will give specific and easy to follow advice across the spectrum of gardening.
Before charging in at full bore, perhaps ask yourself some basic questions. The answers will help you determine all the subsequent issues that come with gardening (e.g. type, plants etc).
Do you even want a garden (I hope so)
What experience do you have (none is really OK!)
What do you want a garden for? Or why do you want a garden?
What time can you put in?
(there is no such thing a maintenance free garden – even though there are low maintenance ones)
What is your budget?
What yard area do you have available?
Are you interested in “organic gardening”?
Have you considered a combination of both ornamentals (flowers, shrubs trees etc) with a food garden (this can be done simply, e.g. a fruit tree!)?
Questions about soil preparation, irrigation, pest and weed control, climate and plant suitability are all things your nursery will gladly advise you about.
Organic gardening is probably the cheapest way to go – after you have purchased your plants. It involves some initial work to prepare the ground (soil), mulching and composting.
Organic gardening basically aims for strong plants whose own immune system will operate optimally and thus lessen or avoid the need for chemical pest and weed control – thus saving money and the environment. All you do is compost and mulch well!
One of the great benefits of learning how to garden is its contribution to reducing the impact of your carbon footprint.
If you would like more information grab my FREE e-book which is an intro and will give you more ideas on the scope of gardening.
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