Gardening: An Introduction to Basics

People have been gardening since the beginning of time. However, just as not everyone is born with a silver spoon in their mouth, neither is everyone born with a "green thumb."

Gardening--whether for flowers, vegetables, fruits, shrubs, or trees--can be either a very enjoyable avocation, or a rewarding full-time career. However, one thing is certain. The novice gardener who wants to learn as much as possible about gardening before delving into it blindly will be a very wise gardener.

Since all plants are genetically designed to thrive, it should be emphasized that it is the gardener's job to promote the growth of plants, not to interfere in their growth. By paying attention to each plant's specific needs, the gardener will first need to educate himself.

There are so many resources for gardeners available today that it is sometimes difficult to know where to start. Books, magazines, videos, gardening classes, workshops--and yes, the Internet--offer voluminous amounts of information to help the novice gardener get started. Here on the 'Net there are hundreds of sources to help you get started. One such source is found at Garden Sites, which has garden links galore!

So where should one begin in this learning process? Since this article is only a basic introduction, it will cover just the major highlights for beginning gardeners.

First, select an appropriate site for your garden. Choose a location where you will have access to water and full or partial sun, depending on your geographic location, and what you wish to grow.

Good soil and proper soil care is critical. If you don't have a site with ideal soil for planting a new garden, this problem can be remedied. Organic matter such as peat moss, commercially prepared manure, or compost can be blended with poor soil before planting takes place. There are also good commercial fertilizers that can be applied to help build up the soil. Make sure to always follow package label directions when using these products.

Soil should be tested for its pH (or acidity) level to learn if the pH should be raised or lowered. A healthy pH level for garden soil is 6.5. Maintaining the correct pH level helps plants absorb nutrients from the soil, which they need to thrive. To raise the pH level, limestone or oyster shell lime can be spread on top of the soil. To lower the pH level, spread sulfur on the surface of the soil, working it well into the top two inches. These products can be readily found at any garden center.

Go To Page: 1 2 3 4

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic