{"id":5198,"date":"2022-11-16T02:28:39","date_gmt":"2022-11-16T07:28:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ifoxany.com\/?p=5198"},"modified":"2022-11-16T02:32:57","modified_gmt":"2022-11-16T07:32:57","slug":"10-easy-steps-to-create-gardens-in-your-yard-for-the-first-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ifoxany.com\/index.php\/2022\/11\/16\/10-easy-steps-to-create-gardens-in-your-yard-for-the-first-time\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Easy Steps to Create Gardens in Your Yard for the First Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Dig into your new gardening adventure with this step-by-step guide to help you make the most of your landscape.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Starting a garden is one of the most rewarding things you can do. Plant fragrant florals or\u00a0start a vegetable garden\u00a0(or both!), and everyone can benefit from getting their hands a little dirty. But if you’re new to gardening, it can be difficult to know where to start. Still, it doesn’t have to be complicated; when you break your project down into manageable steps, you can ease into gardening at your own pace. And soon you’ll see the rewards of your efforts with beautiful views, delicious flavors, and colorful blooms. These steps will help you get started from scratch, but if you have something particular in mind, you could also\u00a0use a garden plan\u00a0to guide your design.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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1. Consider What to Plant<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Do you want to plant a\u00a0vegetable garden? An\u00a0herb garden? A\u00a0flower garden? If you choose vegetables and herbs for their contributions to your dinner table, plant ones your family will eat or be willing to try. If you want flowers for their flair, color, and fragrance, decide whether you want\u00a0annuals that bloom most of the summer\u00a0but need to be replanted each spring or\u00a0perennials that have a shorter bloom time\u00a0but return year after year. Each one, or even a combination, makes a stunning garden but will have different maintenance requirements. One bit of advice: Start small until you know what you’re getting into.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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2. Pick the Best Garden Spot<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Almost all vegetables and many types of flowering plants need\u00a06-8 hours of full sun\u00a0each day. So you need to observe your yard throughout the day to figure out which spots receive full sun versus partial or full shade. Don’t worry if your yard is mostly shady: You won’t be able to grow tomatoes in shade, but many other plants (such as hostas\u00a0and\u00a0outdoor ferns) will do just fine.\u00a0Check plant tags\u00a0or ask the staff at your local garden center to help you understand out how much sun a plant needs.<\/p>

If possible, pick a relatively flat spot for your garden because it’s more difficult, time-consuming, and potentially expensive to\u00a0deal with a sloping garden. And make sure your new garden will have easy access to a water source.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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3. Clear the Ground<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Get rid of weeds and sod in the area you plan to plant. If you want quick results\u2014for example, if it’s already spring and you want veggies this summer\u2014cut it out.\u00a0Slice under the sod\u00a0with a spade. Cut the sod into sections to make it easier to remove, then\u00a0put it on your compost pile\u00a0to decompose. For a longer term project, it’s easier to use the lasagna gardening method: Cover your future garden with five sheets of newspaper; double that amount if your lawn is\u00a0Bermuda grass or St. Augustine grass. Spread a\u00a03-inch layer of compost\u00a0(or combination of potting soil and topsoil) on the newspaper and wait. It’ll take about four months for the compost and paper to decompose. But if you start in the fall, by spring you’ll have a bed ready to plant with no grass or weeds and plenty of rich soil.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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4. Test and Improve Your Soil<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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To learn more about your soil,\u00a0have a soil test done\u00a0through your\u00a0county cooperative extension office. They’ll lead you through the procedure: How much soil to send from which parts of the garden and the best time to obtain samples. Expect a two-week wait for the findings, which will tell you what your soil lacks and\u00a0how to amend it. You can also use a DIY kit that may not be as detailed, but will give you an idea of your soil’s nutrient levels.<\/p>

Residential\u00a0soil almost always needs a boost, especially in new construction where the topsoil may have been stripped away. In addition to being\u00a0low in essential plant nutrients, your soil may also have poor drainage or be compacted. The solution is usually simple: Add\u00a0organic matter. Add a 2- to 3-inch layer of compost, decayed leaves, dry grass clippings, or old manure to the soil when you\u00a0dig or till a new bed. If you decide not to dig or are working with an established bed, leave the organic matter on the surface where it will eventually rot into humus (organic material). Earthworms will do most of the work of mixing humus in with the subsoil.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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5. Prepare Your Planting Beds<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Loosening the soil in new beds before sowing or planting helps roots to grow more easily and access the water and nutrients they need. There are two methods: tilling with a mechanical device such as a rototiller or digging by hand. The first one is a good method when you need to\u00a0mix in large amounts of amendments. However, it’s easy to overdo it, which will end up damaging soil structure. Digging is more practical for preparing small beds.<\/p>

Either way, work the soil only when it’s moist enough to form a loose ball in your fist but dry enough to fall apart when you drop it. Digging when the soil is too dry is harder work, and you can damage the soil structure if it’s too wet. Use a spade or spading fork to gently turn the top 6-8 inches of soil,\u00a0mixing in the organic matter\u00a0from Step 4 at the same time. Walking on prepared beds compacts the soil, so lay down plywood boards temporarily to evenly distribute your weight.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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6. Pick Your Plants<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Some people pore over catalogs for months; others head to the garden center and buy what wows them. Either method works as long as you choose\u00a0plants adapted to your climate, soil, and sunlight. You can even surf the Internet for plants to purchase. Here are a few\u00a0easy-to-grow plants\u00a0for beginners:<\/p>