The Citizen, 2005-05-05, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2005.
Ideas to get you started on your garden
On your own
Gardening not only offers a beautiful touch to your home,
it’s a hobby that can be enjoyed by all age groups.
Gardening is a wonderful pastime.
What could be better than a hobby
that adds beauty to your home, value
to your property and can be enjoyed
for a lifetime?
For many beginners, however,
starting a garden can be intimidating
and daunting. Often, people are
scared to devote the time and energy
to start a time-consuming project
that may have some failures along
the way. But by taking a few simple
steps, any novice can easily sow his
own successful garden.
When starting your garden,
consider its environment — the
quality of the soil, the temperature
and the amount of sunlight and water
plants will receive. Every garden is
different, but there are a variety of
plants available that can suit the
most diverse conditions.
SOIL QUALITY
Soil quality is one of the most
important parts of a successful
garden (and one of the easiest things
to improve). Is your soil dark and
loose, does it retain moisture, and is
it free of weeds? If so, you’re off to
a good start.
If no', the best thing to do is start
from scratch. Dig up the existing dirt
and replace it with quality topsoil
mixed with organic humus from a
local nursery.
Doing this will ensure that you’re
starting with a base that is nutrienj.
rich and weed free.
PLANT SELECTION
When it comes to plant selection,
it’s important to understand the
difference between annuals and
perennials. Annuals, such as
marigolds, pansies and daisies, grow
over the course of one season, and
then die.
Perennials, such as alyssum,
hollyhock and lavender, grow over
the course of a season and can return
for many years. They can be less
work because you don’t have to re
seed or re-plant each season, and the
soil has time to nurture its
inhabitants.
But perennials often don’t reach
maturity the first season they’re
planted. So it’s often best to mix
your first garden with annuals and
perennials. Mixing the two will set
up your garden for a great future,
while delivering variety in the
present.
LIGHT
Gauge the amount of sunlight your
garden gets. Different plants thrive
in various levels of sunlight. If
you’re unsure, look for hardy plants
that do well in a variety of
conditions. Pansies, for example,
grow well in direct sunlight or
partial shade.
PLANTS VERSUS SEEDS
When it comes to purchasing
plants, gardeners often have to
choose between grown plants and
seeds. Seeds are cheaper, but note
that the process can be difficult.
Many types of seeds need to be
germinated indoors, and young
sprouts can be vulnerable to weather
and insects. It’s wiser to start with
hardy plants that were grown in a
nursery. Weather is also important;
buy plants that are appropriate for
your region.
TOOLS
Every job requires the right tools.
Go to a local nursery or garden
centre and purchase a hand trowel,
rake, pickax and pruners. Before
planting, rake the soil and water it
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thoroughly. Lay in your plants
according to their care instructions at
the right time of the season (often
after the last frost), in a section of the
garden that will provide adequate
sunlight.
Make sure they receive the
recommended amount of water, and
inspect them regularly to make sure
they are free of insects and other
pests.
Be on the lookout for weeds and
pluck them weekly.
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If vou take things slowly and start
with easy-to-grow plants that
receive adequate sunlight, water and
healthy soil, you’re 90 per cent done.
As always with nature, problems can
arise — such as bad weather or
unexpected pests — but don’t let
minor setbacks distract you from
enjoying your hobby. If you run into
trouble, ask an employee at your
local nursery for some help. Then sit
back and enjoy your beautiful
garden!
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