Green Thumb: Six Steps to Starting Your Your Own Garden

by Kara Masterson

Gardening has been a popular leisure pursuit for years. This hobby can beautify your yard, exercise your body, and save you money at the same time. Are you thinking about starting a garden this year, but don’t know where to begin? Here are six steps to get you started.

green thumb six steps to starting your your own garden, flowers, gardening

Remove your grass

The first step to planting a garden is getting rid of your lawn. This can be done in a number of ways, but the quickest solution is to rent a sod-cutter. This handy machine will peel the grass and roots right off the soil. This is especially helpful if you are starting a large garden. For a smaller patch of grass, a shovel and a bit of muscle will get the job done.

Test the soil

Now that you’ve removed the grass, you’re ready to test your soil. You can buy test-kits from your local hardware or home improvement store. Another option is to send a soil sample to your local cooperative extension office. For a small fee, the office will send you a detailed report on the quality of your soil, including what amendments you need to add to ensure proper growing conditions for the plants you want to grow.

Add soil amendments

Once you have tested your soil, you will have a good idea of what you need to add. Your soil report will give you a list of amendments to dig into the soil. This could include lime, blood meal, bone removal, or compost. All of these additives are available at your local garden center or home improvement store.

Get planting

Now for the fun part. Decide what you want to grow and start planting. Most plants will come with a planting guide and spacing instructions. Many vegetables and some flowers must be planted after your area’s last frost date. A basic book on gardening in your region will be very helpful for this step.

Mulch

Once your plants are in the ground, a layer of mulch will keep them moist and happy. Ideal choices for mulch are straw, shredded newspaper, compost, or wood chips.

Water

Unless your plants are drought tolerant, you will need to give them plenty of water throughout the growing season. About an inch a week is suitable for most plants.

Now all that’s left to do is to enjoy your bountiful harvest. If you need more in depth information you can take online horticulture courses As your gardening skills grow, so will your love of this incredible pastime, making way for a lifetime of growing beautiful and prosperous plants in your own garden.