You have decided to dive into gardening. You can always learn something new, no matter if you are a beginner or an expert. You might think that all you have to do is put seeds in the earth and wait for magic. Spoiler Alert: It’s really not that easy. Read more now on https://lubiedom.pl
Imagine you waking up early one Saturday morning with your coffee, ready to conquer your backyard. Even though the sun is barely rising, you are already daydreaming about tomatoes and fragrant herbs. You go outside with seed packets and a shovel. Then–bam. You are then confronted with hard soils and stubborn plants.
Let’s first talk about dirt. For gardeners, good soil is gold. The soil is the foundation of your garden. If you don’t take care, it can be your downfall. Plants will struggle to grow if the soil is too sandy, or too clayey. They’ll look like they are running a race in flip-flops. Composting can change the game in this case. You can think of it like giving your plants an elegant meal, instead of fast-food.
Next, choose what to plant. You want to pick the best team! Not every plant will thrive in all places. The local climate will be the deciding factor. Some plants like the heat, others like cooler temperatures. Find out what will grow in your area first before you start a nursery.
Ever notice how easy you can get in nursery stores? Next thing you know you’ve bought enough plants for a botanical garden. You can’t shop when you’re hungry. It’s dangerous.
Let’s talk about watering. Drowning your plants can be as bad as depriving them of it. Overwatering will cause root rot before you can even say “Oops!” Is there a rule of thumb that you can use? You can test this by sticking your finger in the soil. If it feels dry you should water.
Pests are another beast altogether–literally! Aphids and slugs can do more damage to your hard work than a group of unsupervised kids in a candy store. Neem oil and ladybugs can be effective natural remedies.
Ever tried talking with your plants? It may sound kooky, but listen to me. The vibrations in our voice may help them to grow. You can sing them a lullaby, or even read them poetry if it’s more your style.
We shouldn’t forget pruning, either. It’s like giving a haircut to your garden so that it doesn’t become unruly. Trim dead leaves and branches to redirect energy toward healthy growth.
It also teaches you patience, which is a virtue we all lack (thanks Amazon!). Plants grow slowly; they aren’t concerned with our schedules and deadlines. This is part of what makes them so appealing.
Got kids? Encourage them to get involved! Children can learn a lot from gardening. It doesn’t feel like homework, disguised as fun (we’ve been there). The kids will learn about where food is grown while also getting their hands dirty.
Don’t be too hard on yourself if sometimes things don’t go as planned (they will). It happens to everyone–from squirrels who steal bulbs, to frost that wipes out entire beds in an instant.
What’s the point of embracing both victories and challenges? Nothing beats the taste of a freshly picked tomato or mint straight from your own backyard. It makes all that sweat worthwhile!
Enjoy gardening and may you always have green thumbs!