It’s March, which means summer gardening is right around the corner! If you are new to gardening, the planning can be overwhelming yet super rewarding at the same time. We’ve been learning, growing, and adding to our outdoor vegetable and flower garden for over 5 years now. It has definitely been a learning process, with a lot of trial and error, research, books, Instagram, and YouTube videos. We are proud of how much we have learned. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out, I hope I can inspire you to spend a little time digging in the dirt and planting some flowers or vegetables. It is super good for the environment, your health, and your family! If you have small children in your life, I promise you, it is totally worth the effort to see their enjoyment and to share the love of gardening with them too. This helps connect them to the environment, get active and help their stress levels as well!
You will find joy, connection, and stress relief from digging in the dirt, teaching your children about nature, and using this as a way of bonding. My favorite thing to do is to gather inspiration for recipes and DIY projects that can be used from the fruits of our labor. Here are some tips to save you some time and money if you want to try your hand at gardening this year.
1. Weed the garden
To maximize the growth and health of your garden the first step is clearing out all unwanted debris. This may include dead or broken branches, weeds, trash, and more. One can use a hoe or simply their hands to pull out the undesired weeds in your garden. (Source)
2. Sketch a plan!
It’s always a good idea to get a visual of what you will be working with. Based on the amount of space you have– consider sketching out where you want your plants to go. Various ideas for plans exist online whether you are looking for free garden planting sites, container garden sites, or small space gardens. The best part? You do not need a ton of space to get started! Small containers, patio gardens, hanging gardens, or garden beds are all options to get you started. (Source)
3. Select your seeds
One of the most fun and rewarding parts of building your garden is selecting what you want to grow! Last year we started many of our vegetables and herbs from seeds. Some were a success and some were not as hardy when transferred to the larger garden beds. Again, a lot of trial and error is sometimes needed but super helpful! Picking out the right seeds is also important. I recommend looking into organic Johnny seeds, High Mowing Organic Seeds, Burpee Organic, Seed Savers Exchange, and Baker Creek Heirloom. Buying locally is also a great idea as well so consider taking a trip down to your local farmer market or save seeds from your favorite vegetables. You can even find organic seeds on Etsy. I bought organic Lacinato kale from SeedZ! (Source)
4. Research Your Seeds
Not all seeds are built the same of course! Find out what seeds need to be planted indoors versus what seeds will be planted directly in the garden. Most purchased seed packets will come with instructions on where to plant, the amount of sunlight needed as well as a watering plan. (Source)
5. Make a DIY lightbox
To help get the best start for your indoor plants-an indoor lightbox can be a great tool! Just as outdoor plants do great under sunlight, indoor plants require full spectrum bulbs for maximum growth and health! Purchasing lightbox plant sets can get expensive, for a DIY that works just as well I used Calikims Indoor DIY Lightbox on Youtube!
6. DIY Seedling Starters
When planting your seeds it is going to be important to have a base for them to start growing. This is often why small, household plants are sold in mini pots and baskets. While tons of seed starters are available, it is also super easy to make your own at home. Consider using egg cartons, eggshells, and even the leftover pits of citrus fruits to make your own seedling starters! (Source)
7. Maintain Care For Your Plants As They Grow
While ensuring everything is prepped to get your seedlings on the track of growing is vital. It is also important to adapt to your plants and care for their growth needs. Purchase supplies to support the plants once they get large and to keep small animals from nibbling all your fruits and veggies! These may include small wired fencing, sprays to keep animals away, or even automatic detectors to observe critters that may be causing any problems in your garden. (Source) (Source)
8. Prep your garden tools
Having the proper supplies and tools to carry out the gardening process is essential. Standard tools to have include a shovel, gloves, hoe, and a rake! If you’re working with your children I recommend purchasing a pair of child-safe clippers. (Source)
9. Make some DIY sprays to fend off critters and bugs
Keeping rodents, insects and other pesky animals out of our gardens is always an ongoing process. They can dig up roots, spread diseases and even ruin entire gardens! Of course, using pesticides tends to have its own set of risks for animals, humans, and the garden. Opt for creating your own “pesticides” with all-natural essential oils. Scents like peppermint, lavender, and lemongrass are all great natural, DIY scents that tend to deter pests. (Source)
10. Prepare the Soil
Preparing your soil is super important to ensure your produce and plants receive adequate nutrients as well as making sure the roots don’t become dried out. The soil that surrounds our plants is the natural storage unit for all of our chemicals, elements, and nutrients. Using your hoe and shovel, till or turn the soil and make sure it is ready for planting. This helps ensure organic compounds are mixed around and also helps to improve drainage. Some gardeners also prefer a no-till method, citing it can be worse for certain crops. Finding the best approach for preparing your soil will matter the most on the kinds of seed you choose to plant! Doing your research is the most important piece in building a successful summer garden. (Source)