Quarantine 101: Quick and Easy Gardening Tips for Starters

Growing fruits and vegetables in your own garden in this coronavirus pandemic can be an exciting and rewarding experience. However, if you do not have any experience, no problem! Gardening does not need to be a challenging and daunting process. For starters, the secret to a great garden is healthy soil and tons of patience.

To kickstart your gardening, here are a few easy tips for newbie gardeners:

 

• Choose the Right SpotMake sure to pick a spot where there is healthy soil and a good amount of sunlight, and other elements essential like tree pruning in Newmarket for healthy plant growth. Most fruit-bearing trees, vegetables, and flowering plants require at least 6 hours of sunlight every day for optimal growth.

 

• Amend the SoilAs a gardener, it is vital to know what healthy soil is – it is black and packed with organic matter and worms. A soil test is also important before you start planting in your garden. In case the soil is not healthy enough, start improving the soil quality by making simple amendments, including adding compost and/or mulch to the planting area in early spring.

 

• Start SmallThe whole process of growing healthy plants requires a lot of patience. Expert gardeners recommend newbies to start small as it allows you to get a hang of your garden, climate, and the time you are willing to invest in growing your plants. Planting more than you can manage will simply make gardening a daunting task.

 

• Give Enough SpaceSeedlings should be given enough room to grow to prevent them from fighting for sunlight, water, and nutrients. Observe proper spacing, especially when planting tomatoes and peppers as they may require more space and room for supports, such as stakes and cages.

 

• Choose the Right PlantsSuccessful gardening requires choosing the right plants at the right time. Checking the “hardiness zone” helps you select the types of plants that grow well in your location and plant them at the right time of the year.

 

• Keep Plants Well-WateredPlants need water to survive. That is why it is important to choose a location for your garden near a water source so you can run your hose to your garden every time you need to water them. If you want to know when plants need watering, simply push your knuckle down into the soil. If it is dry, water the roots slowly and deeply as it helps reduce evaporation. The best time to water the plants is early in the morning. You can also contact a professional to install a state-of-the-art sprinkler system with a Wi-Fi smart timer or to de-winterize your sprinkler system. According to Love Irrigation “A professionally installed automatic sprinkler system is one of the best investments that you can make. There is no easier or more cost-effective way to beautify your garden. An irrigation system will definitely save you time and money.” 
  

 

• Mulch Your GardenMulch is made of organic materials (wood chips, bark, leaves, lawn clippings and grass clippings) placed on top of the soil. Simply add two to three inches layer of mulch around each plant to reduce weeds, cool the roots, and minimize loss of moisture through evaporation. Avoid letting the mulch touch the stem and mounding it like a volcano as it can potentially cause disease or pest infestation. In addition, you can also opt for wooden pallets in Mississauga to turn into mulch.