1. Getting started with gardening.
Before you start with gardening, you need to make sure that you are going to have the time in taking care of your plants. Growing your plants requires tending loving care, and there are lots of things involved in it. Thus, check if you would be able to come up with an effective daily schedule first, before you start planting the seeds.
2. Acquiring the necessary materials.
When you start gardening, there are certain materials that you would need such as a rake, pots, shovel, and such. Thus, it is best if you gather all the materials first, so that you would be able to start with your gardening in a smoother way. If you need to purchase some of them, make sure that you visit reputable stores for it, so that you can be assured of their quality.
3. Making a plan.
Make a plan for your gardening. Your plan should include the kind of space that you would need for your plants. Aside from that, it should also involve the steps that you want to take, so that you would have something to refer to from time to time. Making a plan and following it should get you started on the right path when it comes to gardening.
4. Choosing the right plants.
When you are about to start with your gardening, do not forget to decide on the plants that you want to have in it. Whether you want vegetables, herbs, or flowers in your garden, it is best that you choose the ones that you really want, so that you would be motivated in caring for them. Gather more information about what various plants can offer to you, so that you can decide better.
5. Tell your friends.
It is best if you tell your friends about your plans in gardening. This way, they may be able to provide you helpful information such as where to purchase seedlings, where to buy gardening materials, and such. Aside from that, it can also entice them to have their own gardens at their backyards.
6. Focus on cleanliness.
Once you have already set up your garden and have started planting, it is best to focus on maintaining its cleanliness. If the surrounding is clean, you can ensure that your plants would be safe from lots of bugs and other pests. Aside from that, it would also help you work better when the environment is clean.
7. Do not forget to check the soil condition.
Learning about how to check for the condition of your soil can be done through research. However, if you do not have the luxury of time to do that, you can always find experts that can help you with it. By checking the condition of your soil, you would be able to take the necessary steps in order to ensure that your plants would grow as healthy as they can be.
8. Do organic gardening.
Lots of people today practice organic gardening for a lot of reasons. It is best that you follow them, especially if you are planting fruits and vegetables. This is because, if you are planning to sell some of your produce, then you would benefit from the fact that most people today would prefer vegetables and fruits that are organically grown. Aside from that, if it’s for your own consumption, then you won’t be putting yourself at risk to the side effects caused by chemicals.
9. Using mulch.
Mulch is a covering, which you can place over the soil in order to reduce erosion, retain more moisture, prevent the growth of weed, and provide more nutrients. Thus, it is a good practice to make use of it on your flower beds, vegetable patch, and such. Doing this would help you save more water, provide your plants with more nutrients, and keep pests away.
10. The importance of keeping your soil healthy.
You should always remember that the soil in your garden, is one of the vital sources of life of your plants. Thus, keeping it healthy would also help in keeping your plants as healthy as they can. On top of that, when you are able to maintain the soil effectively, it would also make your plants tougher in fighting off diseases, and it can keep pests away.
11. Getting rid of aphids.
If you notice aphids on the leaves of your plants, it is best to take care of it immediately. One way to do that is to spray the leaves with soapy water, which you have to rinse off after a while. This practice should take care of the aphids. Aside from that, it can also encourage lady bugs to hang out in your garden, which is good.
12. Avoid chemical fertilizers.
When you use fertilizers made out from synthetic chemicals, then you are not doing organic gardening. Thus, it is a good idea to avoid them as much as you can. To provide your plants with the nutrients that it need though, what you can do is to make your own compost, which is more effective, safe, and economical.
13. Make your garden more attractive.
When you make your garden more attractive, you would be adding more value to your property. Aside from that, it can also make you more motivated in working in it. To achieve that, you can do some landscaping for it. This you can do on your own, or seek the advice of a landscaping specialist.
14. Planting trees.
If you are planning to plant trees in your garden, you should think about it for some time first. This is because, trees can grow so tall, and take up so much space in your garden. Aside from that, since they are bigger than most plants, they can also absorb most of the nutrients from the soil, which are also needed by the other plants.
15. Choosing the plants to grow.
Properly choosing the plants that you want to grow in your garden is very important. Although you want to select those that you really want to see in your backyard, you should also consider the general climate of your place, such as the amount of rain fall per year, the temperature, and such. By doing that, you can ensure that you would be able to choose plants that would easily thrive at your place.
16. Do not forget your budget.
When you are in the process of making up a plan for your gardening, you should not forget to include your budget in it. You should not forget to consider how much you would be willing to spend for your plants, in accordance to your overall monthly budget. Aside from that, you should also consider that there may be times in the year, when your garden would require more from you. By doing this, you can properly determine the kind of size you want your garden to have.
17. Shopping for your gardening needs.
When you step out of your place to purchase the things you need for your gardening, do not forget to make a list for it. Shopping for your gardening needs is similar to visiting the grocery. Thus, coming up with a list would make your shopping experience more pleasant and effective. It also ensures that you stay within your budget, as well as purchase all the things you need.
18. Sharing is better.
If you check out the costs of the supplies that you need for your garden, you would realize that the bigger their packages are, the better the price. Thus, it is a good idea to buy them in bulk. If you think that you can’t use them all, then you can always have someone split it with you. By doing that, you and your friend would be able to enjoy the savings.
19. The benefits of trees.
Trees can offer you lots of benefits, especially during the summer. Trees can offer you the shade that you need during that time of the year. Aside from that, it can also act as protection for your plants. If you decide to plant trees though, make sure that you have ample space for them when they grow tall and big.
20. Purchasing expensive garden equipment.
There are certain equipment for your garden, which may come pricey, such as lawnmowers. However, in most cases, you may only need them once in a while. Thus, it is best if you split their costs with a friend or a neighbor. You can also take turns in storing them. By doing that, you won’t have to pay much for the tools, and you won’t get bothered in thinking that you are not using them much.
21. Check your tools every 6 months.
Checking your tools on a periodic basis, such as every quarter or every 6 months can help a lot. It is wise to constantly check those tools that you make use of on a regular basis, since they are most likely to get worn out first. By doing all these, you would ensure that your tools are always in good condition, and you can easily replace those worn out ones immediately.
22. Don’t hesitate planting herbs.
Planting herbs can offer you with a lot of benefits. Most herbs are actually easier to take care of, than other plants. Aside from that, most of them would also improve the image of your garden. More importantly, most herbs can be used as home treatments for different types of ailments, and they can also help in improving your cooking skills.
23. Don’t forget the flowers.
Whether you want to plant fruits and vegetables or herbs, it is also a good idea to plant some flowers. A few spots of attractive and well grown flowers in different parts of your garden, can go a long way, as far as beautifying your garden is concerned. Choose the right color combinations, to maximize their effects.
24. Making compost.
When you make compost, it is best to dig just below the surface, and not make it too deep. There are lots of things that you can use for it. In most cases though, it is best if you use dead plants for it, such as dead stems, dead lives, dead roots and such. Maintain your compost properly, so that your plants can really benefit from it.
25. Don’t worry about earthworms.
If you see a bunch of earthworms in your garden while you are working on it, then you should be happy. This is because the presence of earthworms confirms that the soil where your plants are situated is healthy. This is because earthworms keep the soil fertilized, which can make your plants happy.
26. Planting a tree properly.
In planting a tree, you should make sure that you are going to dig a hole that is deep enough for it. It is also best if you provide it with a tree guard, especially on the first few days after planting it. On top of that, it is also important not to make the edges of the hole you are planting it in too smooth or square, as this can make root penetration more challenging for it.
27. It is best to diversify.
There are some people who may only plant one type of vegetable or plant into their garden. Although this is not bad practice, it is actually better if you diversify and plant a good variety of vegetables or plants in your garden. This is because it brings you closer to what a natural setup would be, which would encourage beneficial insects to visit it.
28. Planting plants out of plastic containers.
If you are going to use seedlings or plants that have been grown out of plastic containers, you may have to rip the roots just a bit once you transfer them to the ground. This is because, at some point in time, they may have already attached their roots unto the walls of the containers. Thus, you need to remove them gently, so that you won’t get their roots damaged.
29. Getting rid of weeds.
The best time to get rid of weeds is prior to planting your fruits, vegetables, or flowers. Aside from that, it is important to remove their roots, so that they won’t grow back.
However, if they still manage to grow after you planted your fruits and vegetables, you can use vinegar in removing them. Using vinegar is effective, and it won’t harm the environment.
30. Ground covers.
There are different types of ground covers that you can use for your lawn or your garden. Aside from grass, some of which would include vines, shrubs, and herbs. Using alternative ground covers in your garden can make it more interesting, and prevent it from looking boring.
31. Don’t forget about free stuffs.
There are cities or communities that compost or offer free mulch from time to time. If your community does this, then you should take note of the dates, when they regularly offer such things for free. By doing that, you would be saving money, aside from keeping your plants happy.
32. Make good use of old items in your place.
When you take a look around your garden or your backyard, most likely, you would find old items, which you can use. For instance, if you have a good number of old plastic containers, you can actually make use of them to start your seedlings. Aside from that, you may also find other things inside your house, which you can use to decorate your garden. Use the old things in a new way, so that you can save more money.
33. Choose multi-purpose plants.
There are plants that can be utilized not just to beautify your garden, but also serve as foods. For example, there are lots of fruits and vegetables, which are attractive aside from the fact that they taste good. By choosing to plant such fruits and vegetables in your garden, you won’t just be beautifying your backyard, but also provide more healthy foods on your table.
34. The best plants for beginners.
If you consider yourself a beginner in gardening, it is a wise decision to choose plants that are naturally resistant to fungi and bugs. This is because they are easier to take care of, which saves you time, money, and effort. More importantly, since they won’t get easily affected with bugs and fungi, you won’t get discouraged in planting them, since they would grow faster and healthier with little effort.
35. Considering the plants’ yield.
If you are one of the many people who want to have their own fruits and vegetables to have more savings, then do not forget to consider your plants’ yield. Aside from your plants’ ability to produce, you should also consider how long it will provide you with fresh fruits or vegetables. By doing that, you would be able to save more money and enjoy your produce long.
36. Conserving water.
Aside from praying for more rain, one of the ways to conserve water with your gardening is to purchase a rain barrel or two. Having a rain barrel in your backyard can help you save more water, since you can easily let it get filled up with rain water. Aside from saving on water costs, your plants will love the fresh untreated water that you can provide to them.
37. Having a barrier for pests.
Rabbits and deer can feed on your flower buds as well as young foliage. Thus, it is important that you protect your plants from these animals by putting up a barrier for them. A circular wire collar, which comes with netting on its top can provide adequate protection against pests. Make sure that your fencing is tall enough though, so that such animals won’t simply jump over them and destroy your plants.
38. Protecting sweet corn from raccoons.
One of the favorite types of plants that raccoons attack are the sweet corns. Thus, if you have a corn patch, it is vital that you make use of protection such as a single wired electric garden fence, to keep raccoons away. Single wired electric fences do not give out too much shock for the raccoons to endure; however, it would get them frightened enough from returning back.
39. Doing insect control manually.
Since you don’t want to make use of insecticides, one of the best ways to control insects is to make use of your hands. This is considered by lots of gardeners as the
oldest method of insect control, but still very effective. If you don’t want to do it with your bare hands, you can always use a knife, or a certain object, which can help you push the insects into a container that has soapy water.
40. Always go green.
There are lots of benefits that you and your garden can take advantage of when you encourage natural and organic biodiversity. This will not just protect you and the environment, but it will also protect your plants. The reason behind that is, such kind of practice will attract insects and microbes, which will all help in protecting your plants from getting afflicted with diseases and pests.
41. Having too much sun or rain.
When your garden has too much sun or rain, it can either have soil erosion, or your plants may not grow as healthy as you want them to be due to lack of moisture. To prevent this, you should make use of mulch. Mulch will keep the soil in your garden intact. Aside from that, it can also prevent the sun to damage the roots of your plants.
42. Properly applying mulch.
Applying mulch provides a lot of beneficial effects to your plants. However, you need to apply it properly by not piling it up against a plant or a tree. You need to spread it evenly, so that you can let all the plants benefit from it. Aside from that, it is also important to water the plants just after applying the mulch as well as prior to it.
43. Landscaping your garden.
If you don’t want to make it too difficult for you to landscape your garden, then choose locally grown plants for it. By doing that, you can ensure that maintaining your landscape would not be difficult. This is because the plants won’t require too much attention when it comes to taking care of them.
44. Having an orderly garden.
To make your garden look for attractive, then you should plan its lay out well. To do that, it is best if you come up with a sketch that represents your garden. When you do that, you would be able to properly determine what goes where, which can make your garden not just attractive, but easy to work with as well.
45. Having a garden when kids are around.
If you have kids in your house, who may go to your garden from time to time, then you should avoid certain types of plants, especially those that are poisonous. Always remember that there are certain plants that have poisonous leaves such as sweet peas and elephant ears. Thus, it is best that you do your research about them, so that you can prevent having them in your garden.
46. Having plants in a dry area.
There are certain types of plants that can resist drought. Thus, it is important that you learn which types of plants they are, so that you can choose them for your garden. By doing that, you won’t have to deal with a lot of problems when it gets too dry in the place where you are living in.
47. Providing water for a large enough garden.
If you have a garden that is quite large, it can become quite a challenge to water them, especially if you are just using a simple sprinkler or hose. Thus, it is important that you install a good irrigation system. When you do that, your gardening work would not just become lighter, but it can also ensure that water would reach the base of your plants, and not just the leaves.
48. How to make compost properly.
When you are making compost, it is important that you are careful when you are digging it, so that you won’t be damaging roots. Aside from that, you should also take note of the things that you can include in it such as dead plant materials like grass cuttings, vegetable leftovers and such. Make sure that you won’t include meat or bones in it though, since it is not a good idea to do so.
49. The order of preference when it comes to dealing with pests.
If there are pests that threaten the safety of your plants, it is best to deal with them in a certain order. For example, you should start with doing it by yourself, such as removing them manually. If that does not work, you can also install barriers or guards. If you decide to make use of biological agents though, choose those that are as natural as possible.
50. Transferring a tree.
Whether you have just planted a tree or transferred it to a new location, you should take good care of it for a few weeks. Keep in mind that transferring a tree can be quite a shock for the plant. Thus, you should provide it with lots of water for a week or two, to help it recover.
51. Using autumn colors for your garden.
Autumn colors are some of the colors that you want to make use of in front of your garden. When you do that, your garden would attract more attention to people that would pass it by. This is because autumn colors are not just attractive, but are very pleasant to the eyes. In addition, they can also make your garden look bigger than it is.
52. Making your plants grow faster.
If you want to have your plants grow faster, it is important that you water them on a regular basis. Aside from that, you may also want to let them listen to good music from time to time. Pleasant sounds can actually make your plants grow faster, especially the seedlings.
53. Getting rid of noise.
Relaxing in your garden can be made possible, even if there are lots of noise coming from traffic. To make sure that traffic noise won’t bother you, you can install wind chimes for it, to encourage more natural sounds in your place. Aside from that, you can also attract more birds by having bird feeders around.
54. Seeing insects in your garden.
Always try to remember that not all insects are harmful to your plants. Thus, when you see insects in your garden, you should investigate first, whether such insects are good or bad to your plants. Do your research on it, so that you would be able to know which insects to kill and which ones to set free.
55. Preventing dryness from the hot sun.
Properly timing your planting activities can go a long way, as far as having healthy plants is concerned. Thus, it is best to plant during nighttime, so that your plants won’t have to endure the heat coming from the sun. Aside from that, you can also plant during the daytime, especially if it is cloudy.
56. Consider the season.
Whether you are planning to plant fruits or vegetables, it is vital that you consider the season for them. Keep in mind that not every plant can flourish the whole year. Thus, it is wise to do some research about which plants go with what season, so that you can plant according to it.
57. Invite beneficial insects into your garden.
When you have beneficial insects in your garden, then you won’t have to worry about a lot of pests and diseases, since such insects can help your plants in fighting them off. Some examples of insects you want to see in your garden include preying Manti, wasps, and butterflies. Organic gardening should help when it comes to attracting more of them.
58. Having more vegetable protecting insects in your garden.
One of the best things that you can do to protect your vegetables is having insects to do the job. Lots of insects can actually provide the protection your plant needs against pests. To get them to visit and stay in your garden though, you should plant more lavender, carrots, mustard, thyme, spearmint, and clover.
59. Getting rid of fungus and mildew.
When it comes to getting rid of fungus and mildew, it is wise to approach it in an organic way. To achieve that, you can come up with your own organic spray by mixing 3 tablespoons of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of household bleach, and 1.5 teaspoons of dishwashing liquid, into 4 liters of water. Spray the mixture sparingly, since too much of it can damage the leaves.
60. Choosing the best tools for your gardening.
When you are in the process of choosing tools for your garden, it is best to purchase those that are ergonomically made. Ergonomic garden tools and equipment can prevent certain injuries, since it can make your job easier. Thus, it is best that you purchase them instead of the regular kinds.
61. Things to do before working in your garden.
In any sporting event, it is best if you prepare your body for the tasks that it would be facing ahead. This is actually applicable even to gardening. Thus, you should do some warming up exercises as well as stretching, a few minutes before you start working on your garden.
62. How to get rid of cutworms.
Cutworms can destroy your plant, which is why it is vital that you get rid of them as soon as possible. To do that, you can come up with your own spray for it by mixing a good handful of pawpaw leaves, 5 cloves of garlic, and a cup of water to be blended in a blender. Store it for 2 days, and use a single cup for it mixed with 1 liter of water as a spray.
63. What to do with the grass clippings.
When one mows the surroundings of his garden, it may be a practice for him to pick up the grass clippings, and throw them into the garbage bin. However, since you have plants in your garden, you can actually let the clippings stay where they are, since they can provide more nutrients for the soil. This will lessen your job, as well as lessen your need for more fertilizers.
64. There is no need to purchase seeds on a yearly basis.
Purchasing seeds is actually required when you are about to start with your gardening. However, there is no need to do that again for the following year. This is because your produce from the first year, can already provide you with the seeds that you need. Just learn how to properly harvest and save seeds, so that you can still use them for your purpose.
65. Come up with a good harvest plan.
One of the objectives that you can attain when you harvest the product of your garden is to save up on your grocery bills. However, you have to make sure that you are properly storing all the fruits and vegetables that your garden produces, so that they won’t go to waste. If you can’t store and preserve their freshness, then you may want to sell some of them after harvesting. Aside from that, you can also donate them so that you can help a lot of people with it.
66. Keep an eye out for sale and coupons.
Although you don’t want to purchase cheaper tools and seeds, since it may lead to sacrificing quality, there are also other things that you can do to save some money. One of which is to become more aware of the sales and discount coupons. By doing that, you would still be able to prioritize quality, but able to save on costs.
67. Buy seeds online.
If you don’t have much time to scour for the seeds that you need, and your garden is already prepared for planting, then you should buy your seeds online. Online shopping for seeds can now be done with lots of online stores that offer them. With online shopping, you can save on time and money, aside from the fact that it is very convenient to do.
68. Growing high value plants.
When you want to save money or if you want to earn more, growing high value crops in your garden could be an idea that you can really consider. However, you should also consider whether such plants are well suited on the climate of your place. Aside from that, you should also learn more about how to properly take care of them.
69. Spreading the leaves from trees.
There are certain trees that have leaves, which are very beneficial to the plants. Such trees would include birch, beech, honey locust, and silver maple. Thus, if you have them in your backyard, spread them around your garden. The dead leaves would actually become mineral nutrients, and the earthworms would convert them into fertilizers.
70. Grow things that you can drink.
Aside from planting fruits that you can eat, it is also best if you have plants that you can drink. Keep in mind that fruits like strawberries and grapes, can also be made into tasty bottles of wine. Thus, if you are able to grow them yourself, you would not just be enjoying more drinks, but also enjoy the savings.
71. Planting perennials.
Having perennials in your garden can offer you with lots of benefits. They can provide you with their produce year after year, and they can save planting time. On top of that, maintaining them is limited only to the regular mulching, weeding, and fertilizing. Check out what perennials grow well in your location, and include them in your list of plants that you want to have in your garden.
72. Planting herbs.
Herbs like basil, mint, parsley, and dill, are pricey; however, they are actually easy to grow in your garden. Thus, you should include them, since they can offer you a good way to cut down your cost for the essential kitchen herbs. Aside from that, you can also sell them if you want to, especially if you got lots of them to spare.
73. Growing too much.
When it comes to the volume of plants that you want to grow in your garden, it is very important to consider the amount of space that you have. If you have too much plants, then they may not grow as healthy as you have expected them to be. This is because they would start to compete for the nutrients from the soil. Thus, have only the amount of plants that would be accommodated by your garden effectively.
74. Keep it fun and interesting.
If you have extra space in your garden, try something new in it each year. One of the best ways to keep gardening fun and interesting is discovering new things. When you grow a different plant each year on a certain part of your garden, you would be anticipating how it would look like, and its rate of growth, which can make you more excited in working for it.
75. Protect your equipment properly.
Always remember that your gardening tools and equipment can cost lots of money. Thus, you should protect them properly, by cleaning them each time you are done using them. Aside from that, you should also find a good place to store them, so that they would remain in good quality for a long period of time.
76. Monitoring your garden
Monitoring your garden can be done easily if it is relatively small. However, if it is quite big, then it may become a bit challenging. What you can do about it though is to divide your garden into a certain number of parts or sections. With that, you can schedule to walk through each section at least once a week, to check for possible diseases or insects.
78. Planting large trees.
If you want to plant large trees in your garden, you have to make sure that you have enough space for them when they grow. Keep in mind that as trees grow old, their roots would also grow beneath the surface. Thus, you don’t want to plant it near your house, or any kind of structure, since it may cause some problems later on.
79. Your garden is your own territory.
Once you have established your garden, you should consider it as your own private territory. In other words, each person that would set foot unto it would have to ask for your permission first. Aside from that, since it is your creation, which came from your own imagination of what a garden should be, then you should be proud of it and prevent people to criticize it.
80. What your garden should have.
Aside from having plants in your garden, it should also have ample light from the sun. This is because most plants will need the sunlight in order to grow and bare fruits. Aside from sunlight, it should also have enough shade to keep the soil from drying out. More importantly you should also apply your skills unto it, so that you can grow your plants as healthy as possible.
81. Don’t hesitate to change.
Gardeners all around the world are into constant change. In other words, they continue to evolve into something better each day. Thus, if you feel the need to change something, such as your garden’s setup, the plants that you have, and such, then you should not be afraid to do it. Just make sure that the modifications you would apply are practical and sensible, so that you would continue to improve in it.
82. Be careful at all times.
Whether you are watering your plants, or cleaning the surroundings of your garden, care should always be practiced. This is because you would not know whether a broken piece of bottle is around, or even a snake. Always be on alert, to avoid any kind of accidents or injuries to happen.
83. Choosing plants that climb.
Climbers are some of the most useful plants that you can have in your garden. This is because they usually would not take a lot of your space. Aside from that, they can also spice up your fence or make a wall look more interesting. In addition, they are also very easy to take care of.
84. The best time to water your plants.
When it comes to watering your plants, it is a good idea to do it early in the morning. Doing it this way would help your plants maximize the benefits they can derive from water, since it would reduce water loss due to evaporation. Aside from that, it also prevents certain diseases since it allows foliage to dry off quickly.
85. Harvest in the morning.
When it is time to harvest fruits and vegetables from your garden, it is a good decision to do it in the morning. Doing it at this part of the day would ensure that you are harvesting them at their peak, since it is the time when plants are provided with more moisture and nutrients from the environment. Preserve your harvested fruits and vegetables by placing them inside the refrigerator a few minutes later.
86. Providing the best nutrition for your plants.
One of the best ways to ensure that your plants are provided with the best nutrition is to care for the soil more. To achieve that, feed the soil by covering it with dead leaves that are small or large. You can also place more leaves on vegetable beds as well as under the skirts of shrubs. By doing this, you are feeding the soil, so that it would feed your plants.
87. Expand your awareness to care for your plants better.
It is best if you could allot a time each week, which you would spend in your garden, and sit back on your favorite chair. While you are seated, try to observe and understand the harmony and complexity of different plants, insects, water, wildlife, and soil. With this greater awareness of nature, you would know better about what to do and what not to do, in your garden.
88. Know the size of your plants.
Prior to planting the seeds, you should make sure that you are aware of how big your plants would become in time. This is to ensure that you would be providing them with enough space as they grow old. Aside from that, this would also prevent you from having to remove it, when it already takes too much space in your garden.
89. Utilizing free fertilizers.
There are lots of sources of free fertilizers around you. Some of which would be grass clippings and human urine. When you make use of these free fertilizers, you are making sure that your plants are provided with the nourishment that they need. Aside from that, it also ensures that they grow without being contaminated with chemicals.
90. Weeding your garden.
In general, there are lots of kinds of garden crops, which would require weeding for at least three times. When it comes to weeding though, it is best done early. You should weed 5 to 7 days after sowing or transplanting. You should do it again 7 to 10 days later, and the third time would be after 3 to 4 weeks.
91. Get your kids involved with gardening.
If you love gardening so much, then it is more likely that some or all your kids would also love it. Thus, it is best to get them involved with it early on. By doing that, they would be able to pick up valuable lessons in gardening from you, which they would always remember when they grow old. With them on your side, you will have enthusiastic little helpers, who can ensure that your garden is always attended to properly.
92. Using the right tools.
In most cases, you can actually create a garden with only a shovel on your hand. However, if you want to be able to come up with a garden that is clean, organized, and productive, then having the right tools on hand would help you a lot in achieving it. Keep in mind that there are lots of different tools available today, and they are available in different designs. In fact, some are designed for men, while others are for women.
93. How to nurture young gardeners.
If you want to develop your kids’ interest in gardening, then you should carefully choose the activities that you get them involved with. For example, if you are dealing with very young children, then you should show them things that would grab their attention such as roots, earthworms, bugs, sprouted seeds, and such. Aside from that, you should also increase their awareness by letting them see how water disappears into the ground when you water the plants.
94. Continue to learn more.
Many experts in gardening do not admit that they know everything about it. In fact, if you are going to ask them, most would say that they continue to learn something new every day. Thus, you should not stop learning more about gardening. Continue to do your research such as visiting websites, asking experts about certain things, and reading books, so that you would learn new things and get to apply them.
95. Make gardening a more fun activity for kids.
When you are trying to teach your kids some lessons regarding gardening such as weeding, then you should not make it a boring activity. Make it as fun as it can be by making it a game. Aside from that, you should also make it short and simple, and don’t insist on making them complete certain tasks when it is already too hot outside.
96. Teach your kids about insects in the garden.
Whenever your kids are with you in the garden, make them more aware about how insects can help the plants. You should teach them which insects play important roles in the garden, and which do not. By doing that, you can ensure that your kids won’t kill beneficial insects when they see some of them, and would even help you remove those that can destroy your plants.
97. Search for free pickings.
There are gardeners today, who would offer free pickings for their excess produce. You can find them by asking your friends, or even through the internet. Once you find them, visit their place and see what they can offer to you. Aside from that, don’t forget to ask the farmers some questions, since you may be able to acquire helpful information from them.
98. Getting kids to get more interested with plants.
If you want your kids to develop more interest in plants, then try to get them involved with miniature vegetables. Since they are little, they also would be interested in little plants like grape or cherry tomatoes. Let them pick the miniature vegetables that they want, and guide them in taking care of it.
99. Trading your produce.
Whenever you have excess produce on certain types of vegetables, you can actually benefit more from them by trading them. You can trade them for vegetables that you don’t have, or even fruits. Try to have an eye for neighbors and nearby farmers who are willing to trade, so that you can do it anytime you need to.
100. Plant certain vegetables at the right garden spots.
In your garden, there may be places or spots that would have abundance of sunlight, while other spots would have more shade. With that, it is best to plant vegetables that need more sunlight in non-shaded parts such as tomatoes, and the same goes for the vegetables that need more shade. By doing that, you are ensuring that your plants would have the amount of sunlight that they really need to attain peak flavor as well as nutrition.
