Starting a Garden – What Products Are Essential for a Green Outdoors
Gardening is one of the most rewarding practices, whether it’s looking after fragrant flowers or growing vegetable produce. Recently, more and more people have started undertaking it. If you’re new, it can be difficult to figure out where to start, but it doesn’t have to be complicated, and you can ease into it at your own pace.
There’s actually no need for an entire shed full of tools for each kind of plant you plan to grow when you’re just getting started with gardening. There are only a few essential tools and materials that you need to focus on.
To start a successful garden, it’s essential to choose good quality soil that’s appropriate for the plants you want to grow. The best type will depend on the plant varieties and the environmental conditions in the area you live in.
In general, the ideal garden soil should be loose, well-draining, and nutrient-rich. This way, it will allow the plant roots to easily penetrate and grow. On the other hand, well-draining soil will help prevent waterlogs from occurring, which can lead to root rot. Nutrient-rich soil will provide the necessary minerals and nutrients plants need for healthy growth.
Besides that, one way to improve garden soil is to add organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure, which can improve soil structure, water-holding capacity, and nutrient content. It’s also essential to make sure that the soil pH is the right one for the plants you want to grow. Keep in mind that most plants prefer slightly acidic soil.
Seeds or plants
Before you go out shopping for gardening soil, decide what plants you want to grow. You can either purchase seeds or already grown plants from a nursery or another type of plant store.
Consider the type of garden you want to start. It can be flowers, herbs, vegetables or a combination of all. Whichever one you choose, it’s best to start small, so you don’t get overwhelmed and have enough time to get used to the practice.
A watering can or a hose
When starting a garden, naturally, you’ll need a way to water your plants, whether it’s by using a watering can or a hose.
If you’re planting directly in the ground, opt for a hose. When choosing one, make sure it’s long enough to reach all parts of your garden. Consider also adding a sprayer attachment that will let you control its water flow and pressure.
In contrast, if you’re gardening in containers, a watering can will be enough. Look for a lightweight one you can easily carry when it’s full.
Basic gardening tools
A few basic tools for a successful garden include a trowel, hoe, pruning shears, and gardening gloves. They’re extremely helpful for planting and maintenance.
A hand-held trowel is a must-have for a number of everyday gardening tasks, such as breaking up clumps of soil, digging small holes, transplanting seedlings and digging up weeds.
Whether you’re harvesting fresh produce or cutting back bushes, it’s also highly recommended to equip yourself with a set of pruning shears. In turn, a pair of gardening gloves will help you protect yourself and pull out any weeds that have settled between your plants.
Fertiliser
Depending on the type of plants you want to grow in your new garden, you may often need to add fertiliser to the soil to help them grow. Fertilisers are products used to supplement and enrich the soil with nutrients that are essential for healthy plant growth. There are two main types: organic and synthetic.
Organic fertilisers are derived from natural sources, such as compost, animal manure, and bone meal. They release nutrients into the soil slowly over time and can help improve soil health by increasing microbial activity.
In contrast, synthetic fertilisers are human-made chemicals that typically act faster than organic ones. They can be very effective in providing plants with the nutrients they need to grow quickly and produce high yields. However, keep in mind that overuse of synthetic fertilisers can lead to a nutrient imbalance in the soil, which can affect the plant’s health and the environment negatively.
When choosing a fertiliser for your garden, consider the type of plants you’re growing, the soil conditions and the climate in your area. It’s also important to use the correct amount and type because over-fertilising can stress your plants or kill them. On the other hand, under-fertilising can result in stunted growth and poor yields.
There are several DIY soil fertilisers you can also try and make at home using common household ingredients, such as compost, Epsom salt, coffee grounds and egg shells.
Composting
Composting is a natural process that turns organic waste into nutrient-rich soil. You can make your own compost by collecting food scraps, yard waste, and other organic materials in a compost bin or heap. As the materials decompose, they release valuable nutrients that can be added to your garden soil.
Epsom salt
Epsom salt is a natural source of magnesium and sulfur, which are two important nutrients for healthy plant growth. You can add it to your garden soil by mixing 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt per 4 litres of water and using it to water your plants.
Coffee grounds
Used coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen, which is an important nutrient that plants need to grow healthy. You can sprinkle coffee grounds around your plants or mix them directly into the soil to help provide additional nutrients.
Eggshells
Crushed eggshells are a good source of calcium, which is vital for healthy plant growth and development. To use them, crush any leftover ones you have in your kitchen waste and sprinkle them around the base of your plants, or mix them directly into the soil.
It’s important to note that homemade fertilisers may not provide the same level of nutrients as commercial ones, and their nutrient content can vary depending on the ingredients used. It’s also advisable to use them in moderation to prevent over-fertilising because they can damage the plant roots and cause poor growth.
Mulch
Mulch is a layer of material that’s spread over the soil surface around plants to help retain soil moisture, regulate its temperature, and suppress weed growth. It can be made from a variety of organic or non-organic materials, such as leaves, straw, wood chips, bark, gravel, and plastic.
Organic mulch, such as leaves or grass clippings, gradually breaks down over time and releases nutrients into the soil. It can also help improve its structure and provide a habitat for beneficial insects.
Non-organic mulch, such as plastic or gravel, doesn’t decompose and can help conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature by reflecting sunlight and heat.
When using mulch, apply it in a layer that’s thick enough to be effective, but not so thick that it blocks water and nutrients from reaching the soil. The ideal density will depend on the type of material used and the conditions in your garden.
Final Words
When looking into starting a garden at home, keep in mind that the specific items you’ll need will depend on the size and type of garden you’re planning to create. Whichever type of garden you opt for, the lack of elaborate tools and know-how shouldn’t stop you.
Gardening experts actually recommend investing in the best quality tools and materials your budget can allow and maintaining them properly so they can last you for as long as possible. This way, you’ll get the most out of your garden investments.
