Gardening 101 A Beginner’s Guide to Gardening
We all love a luscious garden with impeccable plants. Just how do people keep their gardens so green and perfect? It’s not as hard as it looks, all your need is some careful planning and research and then you are on your way. The therapeutic benefits of playing with soil and being outdoors with your plants are endless. Here is a beginner’s guide to gardening.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WITH YOUR GARDEN?
Firstly, you need to decide what look you want. Is it a cottage country look, a modern landscaped garden look, a modern or minimalist low-maintenance garden, a playground for the kids, a kitchen garden or a sea of flowers? It’s hard to combine all your wishes and desires, so limit yourself, at least for starters.
START SLOWLY
You also need to think about what you do and how much garden you want to put in, especially if you are renting. If you own your home, then go for gold! I advise that you start slowly and buy a few flowers every season. This way you are assured to have beautiful plants and flowers that all your neighbours will admire each and every season.
Decide what kind of garden you want. Do you want to plant herbs, flowers, bushes, and fruit trees? Or all the above? Here are some tips to help you decide.
GET SOME HELP
Digging up the garden can be quite a chore so perhaps it’s good to invest in some professional help if you are starting up new. Call A1 Gardening Sydney who can advise you on all your gardening needs. Different plants have different requirements and it’s best to plant similar species together to minimise maintenance. Know if your plants need sun or shade, how often they need watering, how fast they grow etc. This way, you can plant strategically. Don’t forget to also ask for advice on how to care for your chosen plants!
WHAT ARE THE CLIMATE CONDITIONS WHERE YOU LIVE?
The tropical gardens of Bali may look exotic, but you have to be realistic and may have to check and see whether the plants you are wanting to plant would thrive in the colder regions of Australia. Talk to a gardener or your local nursery before deciding on which plants you would need to plant. You will be given expert advice on how to position them according to the position of the sun.
HEIGHT, TIME, AND COLOUR
There are three simple things to keep in mind when planting a flowerbed; height, time and colour. Make sure to pick species with flowering periods that overlap and thus extend the season of bloom in your garden. Combine colours that work together and make sure tall plants don’t obscure lower ones.
QUALITY SOIL AND FERTILISER
Naturally, there are cheap soil and flowers that you can buy but you should always invest in quality soil and fertilisers. Buy your plants grown outdoors in nurseries because you know that these are of good quality.
PREPARE THE SOIL
Soil is the first step to a long-lasting garden. You’ll need to dig up the soil in your garden and layer it with any organic matter you can find e.g. old leaves and grass clippings. You may also need to go and purchase some manure to give your garden serious growing power.
USEFUL TOOLS
– Shovel for digging
– Rake
– Lawnmower
– Secateurs
– Loppers
– Watering hose and sprinklers
– Sun Hat and Gloves
Lastly, take some time to learn about composting. Your very own compost pile will ensure that you always have a supply on hand to replenish your soil. Compost gives the soil extra nutrients and also minimises the amount you need to water your plants – plus you can dispose of all your food scraps here. It’s a win-win.