It’s great for our minds, as we connect with nature; for our health, because we’ll eat fresh food; and for our wallets, since we won’t need to go to the supermarket.
What to Consider Before Starting a Garden at Home
Choosing the Right Space
If we have an outdoor space, it’s an excellent choice. However, if we live in an apartment or don’t have a yard, we can start using pots placed on the balcony, terrace, or somewhere inside the house.
No matter the option, the most important thing is that our garden is in an area with good airflow, light, and soil that allows the depth necessary for plant growth.
Having the Necessary Tools
Without the right tools, we won’t be able to care for our plants properly. Some basic tools include a shovel, rake, hose or watering can, spray bottles, pruning shears, gloves, among others.
If working with pots, we can use the same tools but in their manual versions, such as a multipurpose trowel or handheld cultivator.
Types of Plants to Grow
When starting a garden, it’s helpful to choose plants that can germinate year-round, like lettuce or onions. Nowadays, it’s easy to find a variety of garden seeds to suit our preferences.
Step-by-Step: How to Create a Garden at Home
1. Preparing the Soil
To start, we need healthy soil. This means the soil shouldn’t be too alkaline—its salinity and acidity levels must be balanced to promote vegetable growth.
You can buy clean or prepared soil at the store, but it may need to be enriched with essential nutrients for fertilization. If we want to make our own compost, here’s how:
- Choose a suitable container and add a portion of soil. If you can get worms, even better!
- Gradually add all your kitchen organic waste, such as fruit and vegetable peels, dry leaves, or even organic paper.
- Keep the compost container covered, in a sheltered place, and ideally away from living spaces to prevent unpleasant odors during decomposition.
- Mix the compost well to ensure plants get the nutrients they need.
If making compost isn’t an option, store-bought fertilizer is always a great alternative.
Important tip: Ensure the soil has proper drainage. Excess water can damage plants by rotting the roots and causing widespread infection in the garden. For good drainage, keep the soil “slightly loose” by stirring it.
2. Choosing the Plants
To select the right plants, research the needs of each species since they require different conditions to thrive. Here are some examples:
- Root Vegetables: Require little space and can be harvested year-round.
- Climbers: Need ample space and require stakes or supports. Some climbing species adapt well to small spaces like pots, such as cherry tomatoes, Chinese spinach, winter squash, peas, beans, or cucumbers.
- Legumes: Need prior germination in small containers before being transplanted to a larger space.
- Leafy Greens: Seeds are sown by scattering them like rain over a seedbed, then covered with a thin layer of fertilized soil. They may need protection from the sun to prevent leaf burns.
It’s essential to allocate defined spaces for each plant; otherwise, one species might invade another and become a weed.
3. Time to Plant
With the space and soil ready, it’s time to plant! The best time for planting is in the late afternoon when the sun is no longer directly over the garden. This is because heat evaporates water, and when planting, watering is crucial. Choose a time of day when temperatures are cooler to moisten the soil before planting.
To wrap it all up, creating a garden at home is not only a rewarding way to connect with nature but also a great step toward a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle. Whether you’re growing leafy greens on your balcony or setting up a vibrant backyard garden, the journey starts with the right knowledge and tools.
At Everglades Farm, we’re here to help you every step of the way. From selecting high-quality plants and seeds to providing expert advice, our passion is helping you create the garden of your dreams. Located in sunny Florida, our family-run nursery specializes in tropical fruit trees and plants that thrive in diverse climates, perfect for any garden enthusiast.
Ready to get started? Visit EvergladesFarm.com to explore our wide selection of plants, or stop by our nursery in Homestead to chat with our growers who have over 50 years of experience. Let’s prove you can slay gardening, one plant at a time!