A Detailed Guide for Beginners in Gardening

Dreaming of a lush garden brimming with fragrant flowers and delicious fruits? Don’t hesitate, even if you’ve never gardened before, you can start and create your own green space. This article will be your guide, leading you through every step from preparation to harvest.

Choosing a Location and Preparing the Soil

Location: Choose a spot with enough sunlight (at least 6 hours/day for most plants) and sheltered from strong winds. Observe if the area gets waterlogged when it rains.
Soil: Loose, nutrient-rich soil is essential. If your garden soil isn’t ideal, improve it by mixing in organic matter (well-rotted manure, vermicompost), mulch, or loam. Check the soil pH (acidity, alkalinity) to choose suitable plants.

Choosing Plants

Easy-to-grow plants: For beginners, choose easy-to-care-for plants like lettuce, water spinach, kale, basil, mint… These plants grow quickly and have few pests. If you prefer flowers, try sunflowers, marigolds, or portulaca – they are quite easy to care for.
Planting density: Don’t plant too densely; ensure appropriate spacing for plants to thrive and avoid nutrient competition.

How to Plant

Planting seeds: Soak seeds in warm water for about 6-8 hours before sowing. Sow seeds into the prepared soil, cover with a thin layer of soil, and water gently.
Planting seedlings: Buy seedlings from plant shops or nurseries. Create planting holes suitable for the seedling’s root ball, place the plant in the hole and fill it with soil. Water thoroughly after planting.

Plant Care

Watering: Water regularly, but don’t overwater; avoid waterlogging roots. Water in the early morning or late afternoon. Observe the soil; if it feels dry, water it.
Fertilizing: Fertilize regularly to provide nutrients for the plants. Use well-rotted organic fertilizer or compound fertilizer according to the instructions.
Pest and disease control: Regularly inspect plants to detect pests and diseases. Use biological methods or safe pesticides if necessary. However, prioritize preventive measures such as weeding and keeping the soil aerated.

Harvesting

Harvesting at the right time: Harvest fruits and vegetables when they reach optimal ripeness to ensure the best quality and flavor.
Storage: After harvesting, store the produce properly to keep it longer. For example, leafy greens should be stored in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer.

Tips for Beginners

Start with a small, manageable garden. Don’t be too ambitious and plant too many different plants at once. Research thoroughly about each plant you want to grow. Be patient and don’t get discouraged if you encounter difficulties. Gardening is a continuous learning process; enjoy the joy of caring for plants and harvesting your own produce.