1.Prime Location
Planting a garden is like buying real estate: location, location, location. Position your yard in a view that you can enjoy every day (gardening doesn’t benefit from out of sight, out of mind). That way, you’ll feel more inclined to stay in it.
2.Sun Exposure
When you are new to gardening, it is normal to misjudge the amount of solar exposure. When deciding where to plant your garden, observe how the sun moves across your yard. To thrive, the majority of edible plants—which include many fruits, vegetables, and herbs—need at least six hours of sunlight.
3.Water Accessibility
Locating your new garden close to a water supply is among the best gardening advice you’ll ever hear. To avoid having to carry water to your garden area each time your plants become thirsty, make sure you can conveniently run a hose there. Don’t hesitate to water when the time comes.
4.Quality Soil
Investing in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil is the best recommendation for planting a garden. If you are planting in the ground, mix 3 inches of Miracle-Gro® All Purpose Garden Soil into the top 6 to 8 inches of your current soil to create this ideal mixture. As an alternative, Miracle-Gro® Raised Bed Soil is the perfect blend of weight and texture for raised bed cultivation.
5.Container Gardening
Use containers if you have limited space. Numerous plants, such as berries, shrubs, fruit trees, flowers, vegetables, and herbs, can be grown in pots. Use a pot big enough for the plant it will be supporting when gardening in a container, then fill it with Miracle-Gro® Moisture Control® Potting Mix. It is designed specifically to prevent both over- and underwatering while also promoting the growth of plants in pots.
6.Smart Plant Selection
It’s critical to choose plants that are compatible with your growing environment. This entails planting heat-tolerant plants in warm climates, positioning sun-loving plants in sunny spots, and providing ground-gobbling vines like melons and pumpkins with plenty of room to sprawl (or a trellis to climb). Choose cultivars that will flourish in your climate and available space after doing your homework. Rather than starting from seed, start with robust young plants from Bonnie Plants® to increase your chances of success when growing vegetables and herbs.
7.Climate Zone Awareness
Selecting the proper plants might be aided by being aware of your “hardiness zone”. The climate gets warmer as the zone number increases. A plant will therefore thrive in your yard if it is “hardy to zone 4” while your garden is in zone 5. But it won’t if you’re in zone 3.
8.Frost Date Awareness
Find out when your frost dates are. Planting in the wrong season can have disastrous effects on your landscape. To avoid unintentionally killing plants by planting them too early, you should be aware of the typical date of the last spring frost in your location. Knowing when your first fall frost often occurs will also help you harvest or bring plants indoors before late-season cold harms them.
9.Mulching Benefits
Encircle every plant with a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch. You won’t need to water as frequently because this will help reduce weeds by keeping the sun out of the garden and lowering moisture loss through evaporation. Apply a layer of Scotts® bagged mulch for a tidy finish. You can also use pine straw, shredded leaves, straw, or any other material that is readily available where you live.
10.Regular Feeding
As we’ve already discussed, having excellent soil is crucial, but for optimal results, your plants need to receive consistent dosages of high-quality nourishment. Put another way, great soil combined with superior plant food equals amazing garden success! Thus, begin adding plant food to your garden, such as Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food, a month after planting. Make sure you adhere to label instructions.
