Tips to a Successful Garden

There are many simple tips that gardeners can follow each year to ensure a successful growing season with a wonderful harvest. Successful gardening isn’t something that a gardener works on just in the spring. Successful garden planning happens year round. While the current garden in well on its way, planning for next year should already begin.

There are a few important things that a first year gardener will need to learn in order to ensure a successful growing season. Plants grow best in certain climates, or growing zones. The first thing a gardener needs to learn is what growing zone they live in. This is one of the most important things a gardener needs to remember because unfortunately the climate isn’t something that can be controlled.

The next thing to consider are the types of plants that are going into the new garden. These plants need to be able to grow in the gardener’s growing zone. This important because if the gardener picks a plant that requires a longer growing season than their growing zone allows for, the plant will grow but will not live long enough to fruit.

After choosing the types of plants that will grow in the garden, the next step is choosing whether these plants will be started from seeds or if seedlings will be purchased. Seeds will need to be started indoor according to the planting schedule on the back of the seed packet. Some seeds need enough time to grow to maturity that they are started indoors while it is still winter and snowing outside. The ability to start seeds indoors for spring time planting in the garden widens the varieties of plants that are available and gives the gardener the ability to choose the best seedlings from the group.

Gardeners generally plan where they are going to plant each individual seed or seedling in their garden. Certain species of vegetables and fruit can not be grown together because they will cross pollinate and the result is not edible or tasty. The gardener will want to double check to see what plants work well together and plan accordingly. This type of planting arrangement is generally referred to as companion planting. A lot of experienced gardeners use this type of planting layout because it works really well.

Preparing the area where the garden will grow is the next important step to a successful garden. This applies to new and experienced gardeners alike. To achieve the best results, the soil should be turned or tilled until it is well broken and loose to at least a depth of eight inches. Any compost or fertilizers can be added at this step to nourish the soil which will in turn provide healthier plants.

The work isn’t over just because all of the plants are in the ground and growing. Soil conditions need to be monitored daily to make sure the plants are getting plenty of water. Plants also need to be checked on a regular basis so any pests or foliage problems can be quickly caught and corrected. It is recommended to check the garden at least once per day. Catching these problems early means they can be easily eliminated and controlled.

Following all of these simple tips can and will lead to a healthy, beautiful and successful garden year after year. Gardens are an investment of time and money that when planned, planted and maintained correctly can provide a healthy harvest of everything the gardener wanted from the beginning. A successful garden is a work of art, a labor of love and an accomplishment that every gardener is proud of.