Getting a successful garden started requires a good bit of thought if you want to save yourself a lot of frustrations. Good planning is essential to successful gardening. Start your garden by selecting a plot that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Steer clear of trees and shrubs that would compete with your garden plants for water, light and nutrients. Check the site for good drainage by making sure water doesn’t ‘pool’ after a rain or irrigation. You need to focus on a theme for the garden because that will determine the type of fertilizers you will need, if at all. It’s a good idea to have your soil tested as early as possible to learn how much of what kind of fertilizer to apply.
You want to be sure you have the necessary tools for the types of plant you want to grow. The right tools will make gardening more enjoyable for you. A hoe, rake, spade, sprinkler, string and stakes are about the minimum tool supply you’ll need.
The job doesn’t end with planting. There are always weeds, insects and diseases to battle. There are numerous cultural types of controls and preventive measures along with chemicals. No one chemical will control all problems on all crops, so you’ll need to identify your problem correctly and then choose the proper control. A pesticide is not necessarily always the best method. Of course, if you want your garden to be ‘organic’, no chemicals can be used.
Planning is the key for having fun with gardening! Be sure to protect your skin from the sun damage by using good sunscreens. Check with your local county extension center for gardening tips pertinent to your part of the country.