When it comes to gardening, beginners need to follow a few basic rules to ensure success. They should avoid overthinking plants, choose crops that don’t require a lot of maintenance and start small. For example, beginners should start with simple vegetables and herbs. This way, they will not have to worry about watering or fertilizing the plants.

Plants that don’t need much maintenance

Beginners can start small with plants that don’t need much maintenance. These plants will still look beautiful and will attract pollinators without much effort. Even though they require little maintenance, they can make your garden a dreamy escape. You can find many such plants in stores.

Low-maintenance plants don’t need much water and don’t require any additional work. You should only need to water them once or twice a week. The Victorian parlor plant is an example of a low-maintenance plant. It does not require excessive watering and thrives in bright, filtered light. It can cost as little as $10 for a six-inch specimen and comes with a nice pot.

Starting a garden in the early spring

Early spring is the ideal time to plant vegetables. The soil thaws out and the threat of late spring frost is gone. Days are generally above freezing but there are occasional cold snaps. In some parts of the country, early spring can begin as early as January and can continue until March or April. The good news is that many plants are not affected by this cold weather and are perfectly happy to be planted at this time of year.

Start by selecting a visible spot for your garden. This will give you a built-in reminder to water and care for your plants. Once you’ve decided where you want to plant, you should prepare the area by removing sod and clearing the area. Weeds can pop up anytime, so early spring is the best time to begin preparations for your garden.

If you’re a beginner, try planting smaller quantities of vegetables. A ten-by-ten-foot garden is a good size for a first garden. This size will allow you to grow a large variety of vegetables that will feed your family. Initially, plant three to five favorite vegetables.

Beets are an excellent choice for early spring gardening. They grow best after the last frost, so be sure to plant them before the temperatures get too high. Beets don’t require much space and can be grown in containers. Beet seeds should be soaked in warm water before planting. When planting, place the seeds about half an inch deep. After potting, keep the soil moist.

Most vegetables and flowers require about six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day, but there are many varieties that can grow in less sunlight. You can also plant lettuces, which can grow quickly and provide salad leaves through the spring. Tomatoes are another vegetable for beginners. They are also susceptible to blight, so it’s best to grow them in pots.

Making raised garden beds

While there are many different types of materials for raised garden beds, one of the most popular is treated wood. This type of material can cause some health risks since children can lean on it can absorb arsenic and copper from the soil. It’s best to choose a material that doesn’t contain any of these chemicals, like cedar or birch.

The first step in making a raised garden bed is to clear the area of weeds and other perennial plants. It is also a good idea to loosen the soil to improve drainage and moisture retention. The raised beds should be at least 5″ high and should feel 12 to 18 inches deep. This is a good size for most vegetables.

The second step in making a raised bed garden is to carefully observe the potential site. Take note of nearby buildings, tall shrubs, and other features. Moreover, it is a good idea to use a sun meter to see how much sunlight is received by the area. It is also important to consider the time of year since the sun shines differently in summer compared to winter.

When building a raised garden bed, it is important to choose the size of the bed you want to build. It is best to choose boards that are four feet wide or less, as wider beds can make it difficult to get to the center. Additionally, you should avoid placing any steps directly in the bed, as this can compact the soil and reduce the health of your plants. Ultimately, your budget and space will determine how long your raised garden bed should be.

Once you have chosen the size of the garden bed, you can fill it with a variety of materials, like compost and wood chips. These materials can add immediate nutrients to seedling roots and are often free.

Checking soil moisture

Checking the moisture of the soil is a crucial part of gardening, but there are some things that you can do to ensure your plants get the right amount of water. One simple way to test the moisture level of your soil is to use a soil moisture gauge. This handy device will display an arrow pointing at the current moisture level of your soil. When using the moisture gauge, it is important to note that different plants have different moisture requirements. For instance, succulents do not need as much water as cacti do. Other plants, on the other hand, need a lot of water.

When you’re potting your plants in pots, you’ll want to check the moisture level of the soil by digging a hole about a foot deep. When the soil appears damp on the surface, it will be bone dry at the roots. This can be a sign that your soil is not properly drained. You can also use a rain gauge to measure the amount of water in your soil.

In addition to soil moisture meters, there are also many other tools available for measuring it. A time domain reflective (TDR) sensor is an excellent choice for measuring soil moisture in your garden, but they can be expensive and require frequent calibration. Moreover, the data they provide are difficult to interpret for most gardeners. The water content of soil is vital for plants because it provides the necessary solvents needed for growth. Also, it helps in carrying the nutrients. Ultimately, water content affects the yield of your crop.

Soil moisture meters can save you the trouble of watering wilting plants. They can be used by beginners or even experienced gardeners to ensure the right moisture level for their plants.

Planting in a sunny location

Sunlight exposure is an important factor in choosing plants for your landscape. Some plants can tolerate direct sunlight, while others cannot. In general, a sunny location is best for most garden plants. Beginner gardeners should plant a variety of flowering plants in the full sun, because they are easy to care for and provide blooms throughout the spring and summer.