Photo Credit : Robin Werisch (Unsplash)
The mental health benefits of being outdoors are well documented, and it’s no surprise that more people are keen to have a little nature right on their doorstep in the form of their own garden. Starting a garden is greatly rewarding, but it won’t always be easy. You’ll also need to understand your own limitations, especially if you’ve had no gardening experience in the past. Knowing where to start can be difficult, but gardening doesn’t need to be complicated. Take a few baby steps, and before you know it, you’ll have a little outdoor oasis of your own. Here are a few top tips to get you started:
Establish Your Priorities
Do you want to create a purely aesthetic space full of beautiful flowers and stunning teams, or would you rather have a functional garden full of herbs and vegetables? Maybe you enjoy entertaining and want an outdoor dining space to take precedence. Whatever the case, it is best to start by establishing your priorities for the outside space and work from there.
One other option to consider, is plants that you can serve with fine foods. find some lobster tails for sale, and grow some spinach, or some herbs to compliment your foods and can accent your lifestyle in the kitchen as well as out in the garden.
Be Mindful of Where You Plant Things
Before you start getting your hands dirty, spend some time observing your garden throughout the day to establish which parts receive the most sun and which parts are shady. Some plants thrive better under certain circumstances than others, so it’s important to play to your strengths. While tomatoes need a lot of sunshine, outdoor ferns love the shade so there is a place for everything, you just need to know where.
Choose Your Plants Wisely
While some people will perform online research to learn which plants are best, there are others that will visit a garden center and choose what catches their eye. Either approach is fine as long as you pick plants that work well under the climate, soil and light conditions that are present in your garden. Some easy-to-grow plants that do well throughout the year include geraniums, marigolds and sunflowers. In terms of vegetables, cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers are a good place to start.
Don’t Forget Maintenance
Remember that the hard work doesn’t stop once you’ve got everything planted and looking good. If you want to have your garden reach its potential, you need to work on maintenance. This means regular watering, pulling up weeds and getting rid of any dead vegetation. You’ll also need to be mindful about pests as well and you’ll need to ensure that tall plants like tomatoes have stakes for support. Don’t forget to harvest your vegetables when the time is right.
Consult a Professional
Finally, if you are willing to invest a little cash into your dream gardening, it might be worth calling in a professional to execute your dream vision. Hiring a reputable landscaper from an established company such as Malone’s Landscape is money well-spent. They’ll be able to tell you what can work realistically and which plants will thrive in your garden.
Having a good-looking, functional garden doesn’t happen overnight. It will certainly require some research, planning and constant maintenance. However, it will be worth the effort every time you set foot into your outdoor paradise.