Tips for Starting a Garden

by Ann Hayward 10/13/2019

Gardens are beautiful and beneficial. Regardless if you are growing a vegetable garden or just flowers, it’s always worth getting your hands dirty now and then. You might look to the perfect gardens in your area and long to have something similar. Fortunately, starting a garden could be much easier than you thought. Does it involve much work and time? Certainly! But with the guidance, you can do your best to bring your dream garden to life.Read on to know how to start a garden.

Decide the type of garden

Gardens cater to different plants, so, to start, you must decide if you want a vegetable, flower, or herb garden. A vegetable garden comprises plants such as tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, and carrots. They are colorful in their way but serve a much bigger purpose as a source of food. You can harvest the crops when they produce fruits, to feed your family or share with neighbors.

Flower gardens typically are for ornamental purposes. They make your home more beautiful, especially when you take the time to plant them in rows or clusters. 

Herb gardens add beauty to your surroundings but are also useful in the kitchen. Herbs such as cilantro, thyme, and rosemary are a large part of an herb garden.

Vegetable plants will always need more attention and specific care to grow successfully, but flowers and herbs can withstand a little neglect.

Select specific plants

Every area offers something different to plants concerning weather, soil, and other factors. For this reason, some plants grow better in particular environments than others. After deciding the type of garden to go with, the next step is to consider the plants. Research this by asking another gardener in your area, visiting a nursery, or checking out the website of a local university’s botany department. Learn what vegetables grow best, which flowers grow better when herbs are the better choice.

Prepare the soil

The soil will need a little boost to accommodate the plants and guarantee they grow healthy. Improve the soil conditions by adding organic matter. For the best results, consult your nursery or gardening expert. Earth with more clay in it needs one preparation while dirt with more iron needs another so, do not expect perfect results without the right product.

Seeds or Transplanting Healthy Plants

Deciding whether to plant seeds or to transplant healthy seedlings requires a consideration of the season. Some plants grow during winter, which is usually from December to March, others prefer the warm spring season which begins late March and runs till June. 

Finally, invest in quality garden tools, water the plants when needed, and care for them regularly. No room for a garden? Ask your real estate professional about neighborhoods that have a community or cooperative gardens.

Vegetable Gardening
Gardening Tips
Herbs
About the Author
Author

Ann Hayward

Born in Philadelphia and raised in the suburbs, Ann Hayward got her Pennsylvania real estate license at age 18 even before going to college. This second-generation real estate professional followed in the footsteps of her father and two uncles, inheriting their passion for the business. Licensed in DC, Maryland and Virginia, Ann is accomplished in her career, with numerous designations including SFR, SRES, PSA, WHC, and multiunit Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP) from the National Development Council. She specializes in Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties, Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, all jurisdictions where Ann has lived and knows very well. In addition to her professional expertise, she owns and manages personal investment property, understands and has been involved in the renovation/remodeling process, and has great resources which she shares with clients. When you hire Ann to represent you, she will make your buying or selling experience an enjoyable, rewarding one. Her compassion, sensitivity to her clients’ needs, eye for detail, and ability to see the big picture when guiding you through a purchase or sale are unique assets that will ensure your success. A diverse and relevant background also gives Ann a distinct edge. For 30 years, she worked in fast-paced, high-pressure television and theatrical production, attaining the highest achievement – DGA membership as a Director, and as an award-winning staff and freelance writer. Her keen audio visual skills and design sense benefit sellers in marketing their properties, and are invaluable in helping buyers see the potential of space. A true renaissance woman, Ann was also an income tax professional and office manager for H&R Block, so she thoroughly understands the tax and financial implications of acquiring and selling real estate. Her superior organizational skills are further evidenced as owner of a downsizing/professional organizing business, Managed For You, which allows her to connect with everyone from millennials to boomers and seniors, whether for small space planning or assisting with major decluttering and transitioning. Ann holds an AB in American History from Simmons College, Boston, plus attended Robert Wagner Graduate School of Public Administration where she was a candidate for Doctorate. She additionally studied Film Direction at the American Film Institute in LA, and was a Stanford University post-graduate Professional Journalism Fellow. Personally, Ann is an avid if not very good golfer, and the co-founder of a nonprofit 501c3 organization offering educational guidance, tutoring and counseling for youngsters from elementary school through college admission. She sits on the board of trustees of a nonprofit educational film production corporation as well. (202) 494-6252 [email protected]