Starting your First Garden? Then Check this Out First!
 

Lisa M. Policastro

There’s so many types of gardening out there that you can experiment with, you’re bound to find the one that’s just right for you whether its plants, flowers, trees, veggies, fruits, OR if you’re just interested in having your own herb garden, that’s cool too. For more information, check out Louie's Garden Patch. 

Starting with the size, the possibilities are endless, whether it’s container gardening or maybe a window box (for those with limited space). For those with more space, a 6’x4’ raised garden bed or something that you can design with your front and backyards offers the most choices.  But again, you’re only limited by your imagination.

Just think about this, gardening is not only a pleasurable pastime, but a practical one as well… Do you remember when, as a child, that even during the winter, you could have those veggies or fruits that had been preserved from that summer’s crops?

To start with, investing in a garden tool shed or green house will help keep all of your garden tools and equipment safe and secure.  Also, if you have a green house that you can keep your young new plants in, you won’t have to worry about temperature changes that might otherwise damage them.

Different Kinds of Garden Tools

As with any other undertaking, you need to have realistic plans, otherwise growing a family-sized garden can quickly get out of control.

It could be tempting to fall for every ad and display that you see that promise the best and “latest” in gardening tools, but you should know that you don’t have to have everything that’s out there.  However, there are some basic tools you’re going to need to start with.

So the following is a good place to start with the tools you’ll need:

Shovel – every gardener needs to have a shovel close by.  This tool is useful when digging small areas for soil preparation and large areas when planting crops such as potatoes and other veggies or flowers.

Rake – after you’ve prepared the soil, a garden rake will help you keep that soil level and smooth. It’s also useful when you’re covering up the seeds in those planted rows.

Tiller – while this can be a rather expensive tool, it sure makes your gardening much easier. And if you plan on working with more than a small area or raised garden beds, you’ll most likely need one of these. With this tool, you’ll be able to break up and loosen the soil a lot easier.  Actually, you don’t need to purchase these tillers.  Most garden shops will rent them out or maybe you have a neighbor who owns one. You can save A LOT of money this way.
Please be sure to take good care when borrowing, because if you do, that neighbor will be more likely to be accommodating should you need to borrow it again.

Trowel - Whenever you are planting seedlings, there’s no better tool to use.  It will make uniform holes to place your plants, making the job go a lot smoother.

Also, the following will make Gardening a lot more pleasurable.

Garden Clothing

You’re probably going to need those items to wear when you’re gardening and it’s very simple.  Such as garden gloves – a good pair will protect your hands and give you a good grip on things like weeds.

Gardening Shoes – the best reason I can think of for these is the most obvious.  If you step on something sharp like thorns, you’ll find that a good pair of old tennis shoes or those new styled rubber shoes which are especially designed for gardening, to be ideal for protection.

That’s about it for the Garden clothing part.

Now let’s talk about preparing your garden soil and planting.

One of the most important things to keep in mind is the soil.  You have to start with a good base for planting those flowers or veggies.  There needs to be a balance between the nutrients and topsoil structure as this is one of the most important benefits to maintaining the optimum soil.  Remember, the soil is basically the “birthplace” of everything you put into it!  Chemical elements such as Hydrogen, Potassium, Sodium, Magnesium and Calcium are just a few of the components necessary to have the best growing medium, in order to grow that beautiful rose or that scrumptious, juicy tomato.

In order to make sure your topsoil is chemically correct, you should test it.  To get the most reliable results, testing kits for soil should be implemented. Once tested, the soil can then be improved by adding fertilizer, lime and any other improvers that are required.

The point is, there is nothing more joyful & amazing than to watch something you’ve planted and then watch as it blooms into this gorgeous, almost other-worldly creation that only you can take credit for.

Right now, take that time out for you.  You’ll soon realize you’re creating something beautiful and maybe even something you can prepare a dish from at the same time!

So in closing, let me say that you really shouldn’t have any problems getting information on growing methods, what sort of plants are best suited for your particular locale and so forth. The Internet offers as much, if not more info than even your local library. There are so many experts out there with the most up to date information you could imagine. And it’s all available with the click of a button!  Besides the pleasure it gives, the added benefits such as saving money on veggies, or flowers, it also makes growing these homegrown vegetables  all the more special.

Happy Gardening!!