6 Tips for Beginner Plant Lover

1. Soil
Soil is a living organism that nurtures plants and as such is critical to a thriving garden. Decide on a good spot for the garden and then dig in! Chop up and remove all grass and weeds. With a hoe, shovel, or metal rake, loosen the soil, turning it and pulling out rocks, sticks, and other matter.

2. Light
Depending on the size of your yard and how it is situated, you may not have much choice when it comes to light. If your garden gets at least six hours of full sun every day, you can plant vegetables and flowers requiring full sun. If you get sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon, buy plants that do well in half, or partial, shade.

3. Plants
Flowers fall into two general categories: annuals and perennials. Annuals last only for the season, while perennials come back season after season, going dormant during the freezing winter and then poking up in the spring. Biennials last for two seasons.

4. Water
All gardens need water. Unless you live in the dessert or rain forest, your garden will need about an inch of water a week during the growing season. Water the garden at least three times a week, giving it a good soak.

5. Fertilizer
Flowers and many vegetables benefit from monthly fertilizing. Fertilizers add nutrients including the two most crucial for a garden: nitrogen, which promotes leaf growth, and phosphorous, which helps with root health.

6. Mulch

Every good gardener extols the virtues of mulch. You can buy mulch, usually as wood chips, or make your own from grass clippings and leaf litter.