No matter the climate where you choose to plant, you should know how to grow a garden.

How to Grow a Garden: The Basics

 

Knowing how to grow a garden means knowing the three ingredients necessary are soil, water and plants. Once the soil is prepared, the seeds or plants are planted, and you water them. If that sounds simple, it is. Yes, there is a catch. Not every plant you would like to grow will grow in your climate. The trick is choosing the ones, which will. To make the choice, you must:

 

• Identify the type of soil where your garden will be.
• Gauge the amount of daily sunlight.
• Know the amount and frequency of rain to your garden.

 

These three bits of information are the keys to unlock how to grow a garden in your climate. Till your soil to create an oxygen/nitrogen rich environment and allow water to permeate the soil. Mound rows to keep excess moisture from rotting seedlings and tender roots. Flatten the tops of rows to ensure straight stem growth. Plant seeds and seedlings far enough apart the adult plants will not be crowded. Add mulch around the plants with natural materials such as dried leaves or sawdust. Avoid pine mulch because of insects and fungus, which will harm your plants.

 

How to Grow a Garden: Plants

 

Your greatest secret to how to grow a garden is which plants are indigenous, or native, to your climate. Indigenous seeds may be planted directly into the soil. Feral, or not native, seeds should be started in separate pots, indoors or in a greenhouse, prior to planting in the garden to increase survival rate. Different tolerances to direct sunlight are concern for young plants. Perennial flowers and foliage, which require partial shade, should be started indoors or in a greenhouse until they can be safely transplanted to the garden and shaded by neighboring plants. Know the growing season for your plants. Plant the seeds and seedlings according to their instructions or a farmer’s almanac. Protect them from frost.

 

How to Grow a Garden: Soil and Water

 

Vegetables need different nutrients than peppers or tomatoes. If you choose to grow plants, which are not indigenous to your climate, you must treat the soil with fertilizer to accommodate your plants. Plants have difference tolerances to drought. If your soil is sandy, it will be drier than soil rich in silt or clay. Choose plants indigenous to desert and temperate regions, even if you have more rain than is the plant’s preference. Because your soil will not hold water, the plants will dry more quickly, mimicking their natural habitat. Flowers will change colors based on the amount of nitrogen and water in the soil. Feral flowers need special care to survive outside their habitat. Take care in watering to mimic your plants’ habitat. Plant the seedlings, which require similar amounts of water together to avoid overwatering neighboring plants. When appropriate, use trickle methods and gray water to keep your plants moist. Avoid overwatering, which will rot your plants before they mature.

I hope you enjoyed this article about How to Grow a Garden.