IFFCO-BAZAR

When one first dabbles with home gardening, it may seem like there is just so much to know, all in such a short time. Where to plant? What to plant? Which plant will best suit the current weather? The choice of fertilizers, the concept of companion planting, types of seeds and how to sow them, types of soil, water and temperature requirement – all this information can pile up and confuse not only the beginners but even those who have been indulging in home gardening for years.

Working on your garden can be a rewarding endeavor as long as the direction is clear and the person steers clear of complicated subjects at the beginning of the journey. This article focuses on some easy-to-follow tips that can help you begin your gardening journey even if you have had no such luck in the past.

Pick a Spot

Start small. Choose a small portion of your home lawn or place a few pots or grow bags on the terrace in the beginning. The Sun and the location’s accessibility to water play a significant role in how well your plants are going to thrive. Make sure the location receives at least 5-6 hours of direct sunlight and the space is easily accessible for you to perform your daily gardening chores.

Type of Plants

Each gardener has a favorite plant that they love to grow year after year. It could be anything from herbs, creepers, shrubs, flowers, veggies, and trees. There are many beginner-friendly veggies and flowers that you can grow, such as spinach, bok choy, marigold, sunflower etc. And if you are sowing seeds, a standard rule to follow is to sow them to a depth of approximately 3-4 times the size of the seed. Also, while you are planning which type to plant, know that each plant has a different temperature and geographical location.

Soil

Poor soil can hardly sustain plant life. Take some time to examine the texture of the soil you plan to plant in. It should be airy and well-drained yet hold enough moisture to sustain plant life. Improving the quality of the soil is crucial. Add organic compost and soil amendments. Kitchen waste like banana peels and tea compost can also be used to improve the soil’s quality over time. Besides, gardeners also use fertilizers to enhance soil quality by increasing fertility.

Tools

When you first start home gardening, pick some basic tools that can help you make your gardening tasks easier. You will need a couple of tools for digging, a trowel, a garden fork, pruning scissors, watering tools such as pipes, sprayers for gentle sprinkling, sticky traps for plant pests and such. While these tools can come in handy during major gardening tasks, they are also a big carrier of various plant diseases. Thus, it becomes important to properly clean them before using them again.

Feeding Cycle

To grow and thrive, plants need a regular dose of nutrient-rich fertilizer and compost. Though the dosage depends from plant to plant, a good rule of thumb is to fertilize veggies and flowers every 15-20 days; shrubs and trees that don’t require much care, like lemons should be fertilized lightly every 6 months or at the beginning of spring.

The whole concept of home gardening is far-reaching, with so many different techniques and procedures, each working out differently for different gardeners. Gardening is definitely not rocket science, but it does require a lot of consideration, and quality fertilizers to develop into a full-fledged home garden nurtured with love and care. Take small steps to ensure you have big wins.