Most people aren’t born with green thumbs. Instead, they develop them with practice. You can skip several lessons ahead by following some gardening tips. These tips will elevate you from a novice to an advanced gardener, giving you the biggest green thumb in the area.
Choose a Spot for Your Garden
Choosing the right spot for your garden is critical. First, you need to place a garden in a highly visible spot, so you can see it when looking out the window or walking outside. That way, you’ll be more likely to keep up with your gardening tasks.
Next, make sure the spot gets ample sunlight. Fruits, herbs, and other edible plants generally require a minimum of six hours of sunlight a day to thrive, so keep that in mind when selecting a location.
You also want to choose an area close to a water source. Make sure you can get the hose out to the garden, so you won’t have to haul buckets of water out to it each day.
Use the Right Soil
No matter how skilled you are, you’ll have difficulty growing a garden if you don’t use well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. Your existing soil provides a good foundation, but it needs a little boost, so add some garden soil or fertilizer to ensure your plants get the nutrients they need.
Choose Plants Based on Your Hardiness Zone
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone map breaks the country up into zones based on what plants thrive in that area. Decatur’s hardiness zone is 5B and 6A, so choose plants that perform best in these conditions. You’ll find it’s much easier to grow a garden when choosing plants based on your location.
Don’t Forget to Add Mulch
Even the most skilled gardeners forget to add mulch from time to time. This might be a common mistake, but it can lead to a gardening disaster. Without mulch, weeds can take over and soak up almost all the sunlight and water, causing your plants to die. Add approximately 3 inches of mulch around each of your plants. The mulch will lock in moisture and prevent weeds from stealing all the sunshine.
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Feed Your Plants
If you want healthy, hearty plants, make sure you feed them. There are tons of plant food options on the market, so pick one up to provide your plants with proper nutrition. Make sure you follow the directions when feeding the plants, so you provide the right amount of food.
These tips will help you grow a hearty garden this spring. Start planning now, so you’ll be ready once the frost clears and it’s time to plant.
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