DOs & DON'Ts of Gardening for Beginners

When you’re new to gardening, we understand it can be a bit overwhelming in the beginning. It’s a lot to figure out between knowing where to start, what practices are best for your plants and what to avoid keeping everything alive and well. The two main faults of beginner are either over care or under care. These 4 Tips will help you have a successful garden!

DON’T Ignore Lighting Needs

Plants need sunlight to grow, but each plant is different as to how much sunlight is best. Make sure to read the recommendations on your seed packets before deciding where you’re going to plant what and use that information to create your garden map.

DO Pay Attention to the Depth Seeds Should be Planted

All the more reason to read your seed packets! Those little packs are loaded with information, including the depth the seed should be planted. Planting seeds too deep or too shallow could cause the seed to fail to sprout or dry out the seed too quickly. Remember that each plant is unique so use that important information you’ve been given!

DON’T Start Too Big

It’s tempting to buy every vegetable, fruit and flower you see at the gardening store but you don’t want to overwhelm yourself. Start small and with a manageable workload, adding more as you gain experience and confidence.

DO Thin Your Plants

Sure, you want to get as much as you can out of your garden, but in case you need any more reason to read those seed packets, let this be it! By planting seeds or transplants too closely, you create too much competition between plants for nutrients. Make sure you space and thin your plants following the recommended guidelines. When it comes to those salad greens, your thinned lettuce will become a delicious salad!

Most of what is learned about gardening is obtained through trial and error, success and failures. If you use these tips when beginning and just do your best, you will have a beautiful garden with happy plants!