Garden Tools & Tips - Organic vs Container vs Vegetable vs Raised Beds Gardening
When to Plant a Garden
For many gardeners,
especially those who live in colder climates, the
weather
determines when to plant a garden. For others, such
as those who live
in sunny Arizona or Florida, the decision is a matter of personal
preference. If you aren't sure when to plant a garden, start by
determining your hardiness zone, which you can find on the United
States National Arboretum's hardiness
zone map.Once you know this, you can determine your optimal gardening season. This occurs after your region passes the average date for the last spring frost and before the first fall frost. Planting a garden outside of this period may result in a higher risk of a frost killing your plants.
In addition to knowing your zone, consider the types of plants you want in your garden. Cold-hardy crops, which include peas, spinach, winter lettuce and garlic, can grow in colder climates. Cool season crops, such as cabbage and broccoli, can tolerate colder temperatures; however, they may not survive prolonged winter temperatures. Warm weather vegetables include tomatoes, pepper, eggplant, cucumber, basil and squash. To learn more about what you can plant when, find out what's blooming, according to the USNA.
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How to Choose the Best Plants for Gardens
- Think about the impact you want to make as a gardener. Do you want to look out your window and see beautiful plants? Do you want to add curb appeal to your front yard? Maybe your goal is to add a variety of healthy foods to your table. All these things will affect what type of garden you want to plant.
- Determine your soil type. Soil can affect how your plants grow because different soil types contain varying levels of necessary nutrients, such as phosphorous, nitrogen and potassium. The right pH level for plants can help them thrive, and you may be able to grow a better garden by planting seeds that need your soil type. The pH level can even determine what type of microscopic organisms live in the dirt. For gardening tips on plant pH levels, check out Heirloom Seeds. The company provides the optimal pH levels for plants.
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Find out what plants will grow in your natural soil texture. Soil has three components: sand, silt and clay. Having an equal balance of all three will produce the most fertile soil. You can find plants that grow well in a particular soil texture, or you can modify the texture so it is suitable for a variety of seeds types. For example, clay soil can be good for cabbage or broccoli, but carrots and other root vegetables may struggle to push through the waterlogged earth. To make clay better for root vegetables, you may need to add a drying agent, like wood, as well as extra nitrogen.
- Consult with a professional. You may have a local Cooperative Extension, where you can get expert advice on testing your soil, managing pests and selecting plants. Other places that may have gardening tips include local nurseries, master gardeners or garden clubs.
- Evaluate your gardening skills. If you want a do-it-yourself garden, then you need to start with plants you can manage. Beginning gardeners often find better success handling one or two plants than they do if they try several varieties at once. No matter what your skill level, you can always add to your garden in the upcoming years.
- Consider the time you want to devote to garden maintenance. Some gardeners love nothing more than digging their fingers into the fresh earth, caring for and tending to plants, and nourishing vegetables from seeds to fully grown plants. Others want a project they can maintain as weekend gardeners. If you want to reduce the amount of work you need to put into the garden, look for low-maintenance plants, such as perennial flowers, shrubs, trees, groundcover and ornamental grasses.
What Are the Different Gardening Types
Gardens serve different purposes. Some people like to use a garden as a
quiet place for solitude and reflection. Others plant gardens in memory
of lost loved ones. Some families focus on gardening to grow food. Here
are some popular garden types.- Serenity Gardens - Whether you want tranquility
or a place where you can remember a loved
one, you can benefit from a serenity garden. These
gardens should have things that make you feel good, such as a fragrance
that you find calming. For example, some people enjoy planting lavender
or other aromatic plants. If you want to practice yoga, you could plant
a soft ground cover, like moss. Add a bench for quiet contemplation or
set up a tribute in memory of a loved one.
- Raised Garden Beds -
Raised bed gardening can be beneficial if you want to grow vegetables. The added height can help keep out smaller rodents, like mice and rabbits. Plus, you don't have to bend over so far to tend to the garden, which is easier on your back and knees. You can avoid problems caused by your natural soil because you can fill the raised garden beds with a high-quality top soil mixed with organic material, such as manure or compost (available from garden centers). If you want to add some color, plant a few tall, wispy flowers, such as cornflower or poppy. These plants will allow light to reach the vegetables growing below them.
- Patio Gardens - If you live in an apartment or a home with a small yard, you don't have to miss the benefits of gardening. Instead, take advantage of container gardening. Plant herbs or plants in pots or other containers and place them in areas around your house, terrace or patio. Pick plants that work well for your natural lighting. You can plant larger items, like lemon trees, if you use a large enough container.
- Organic Gardening - Organic gardening means
gardening without synthetic
chemicals,
pesticides or herbicides. These things can be harmful to people and
wildlife, and the toxins remain in the soil for years. A natural
home garden provides a variety of vegetables, flowers and
fruit without putting your family at risk of ADHD, cancer or other
health risks. Maintaining an organic garden
is easy, with a few gardening tips. Use natural remedies, such as compost. As food and plants decompose, they create a nitrogen-rich organic material. You can use this to neutralize both acidic and alkaline soils. Fight pests with natural enemies. Ladybugs can control common pest problems, including aphids, mealy bugs, mites, leafhoppers and other insects. Utilize companion planting. This gardening technique pairs plants. For example, planting marigolds next to tomatoes can keep aphids away from the tomatoes. Some plants, such as basil, can infuse nearby vegetables with subtle flavors.
- Fruit Vegetable Garden - The primary purpose for a fruit vegetable garden is to yield edible produce. Plus, many have colorful flowers or blossoms. You can plant root vegetables, such as turnips and radishes; bulb vegetables, such as garlic; leaf vegetables, like lettuce, arugula and collards; or stalk vegetables, like rhubarb, asparagus and celery. If you like potatoes, consider growing them along with other tuber vegetables, like yams. Inflorescent vegetables, which include artichokes and cauliflower, add color and variety to your vegetable garden.
- Garden, Plants, Shrubs - Many people want
low-maintenance gardens with ornamental features. For
these individuals, garden plants, shrubs and trees
can be the best
things to plant. Not only will these gardens look great year after
year, but they offer instant gratification because you can purchase
established varieties from your local garden center. More established
plants cost more, depending on their age, but they are typically larger
than younger plants. When planting trees, consider the location and
what you plan to do with the surrounding area. Root systems can stretch
well beyond the reach of the limbs, and the roots can damage
foundations and septic tanks. Likewise, a shade tree may limit the
plants that will grow in the surrounding area.
What Gardening Tools do You Need
No matter what garden type you want, you'll need gardening tools. While you could spend a hefty amount at major garden centers, you don't have to do so. Start with the basic tools, which include a spade, a trowel, and secateurs or pruning shears. For protection, purchase a comfortable and wide-brimmed hat and gloves. Like your garden, you can add to your collection in upcoming years. Otherwise you can call to get your vegetables or flowers delivered.
When it comes to gardening, you have so many options that you don't have any excuse not to try something. Start small and watch your skills and your garden grow!
