3 Tips for Starting Your Own Backyard Garden
Did you know that of the homeowners who began gardening in 2020, 86% reported that they planned to continue gardening in 2021? We can only hope that carries through this year in 2022 as well!
Starting a garden can seem like an intimidating task. But everyone deserves to have a nice backyard space where they can relax or grow their favorite plant varieties.
But how exactly do you go about doing that as a beginner? And how can you start a backyard garden with no idea of what will even grow in your backyard?
We’re here to fill you in. Keep reading below to learn three tips on how to start gardening today!
1. Run a Soil Test
Before you can start the actual hands-on gardening process, it’s important to run a soil test. A soil test tells you the pH level of your soil, evaluates the fertility, and identifies any nutrient deficiencies in the soil.
There are DIY soil tests you can conduct at home. However, they aren’t always reliable, so be mindful of this when browsing soil testing kits.
Many college agricultural departments and local conservation agencies offer soil testing services, too. These are often more reliable, as they’re run and analyzed by experts in the field. These experts can then also tell you which plants will grow best in your soil and how to maintain the soil.
2. Look for Natives
Now that you know what’s in your soil, you can start looking for plants that you’d like to add to your backyard garden. When choosing plants, it’s best to always opt for native plants if possible. Native plants are indigenous to the area and are best suited for the climate and the environmental resources available.
Non-native plants can monopolize an area if you’re not careful. While they can be planted, too, it’s a good idea to check with a gardening professional to see if introducing it to your garden will cause more harm than good.
3. Begin with Small Steps
Your backyard garden doesn’t have to be enormous right from the get-go—or ever! However, gardening for beginners is simpler if you start with small steps.
Websites like Ultra Outdoors offer endless suggestions for beginning gardeners. There are guides for seasonal gardening, tips on creating hidden gardens, and advice on garden maintenance.
Most new gardeners find it easiest to start with just one or two beds. You’ll have to make decisions like whether you want a raised or ground-level bed, and where is best to put it.
If you’re doing a veggie garden, consider only growing two or three different plants your first year. Find options that are relatively easy to grow for beginners, such as lettuce and beans. The same applies to flower beds or any gardens that use larger shrubs or trees.
Create Your Own Amazing Backyard Garden
A backyard garden offers so much—a sense of fulfillment, fresh produce and flowers, and an environment-friendly project that you can build on each year.
Of course, it requires a bit of research and effort, but it’s easier than you’d guess. With the guide above, you’ll have no trouble starting a backyard garden of your own.
Want to learn more? Explore the rest of Trendzzzone! We’ve got plenty of home improvement and design ideas to keep you inspired, along with everything from health tips to the latest business trends to lifestyle guides.
