Tips for Planting Your First Garden at Home

Reader Contribution by Aby League
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More and more people are now getting into home gardening. Last year, the National Gardening Association reported that 35 percent of households in America are growing their own food, resulting in a 17 percent increase in home gardeners—the highest in the U.S. in more than a decade. Aside from the financial benefits that self-sufficiency brings, home gardening can also improve your physical and mental health.                                                                                 

If you want to start home gardening, but have certain dilemmas such as space constraints or are simply at a loss on how to begin, fret not. Tap the power of your inner green thumb. Here, I will walk you through some simple home gardening tips to get you on the right path for the very first time.

Photo courtesy Jinho Jung/Flickr

Carefully Choose What to Plant

Whether you’re planting a vegetable, herb or flower garden for the first time, be specific when planning your home garden design. Envision how you want your home garden to look, but set realistic goals. Start small instead of aiming for a grand garden that belongs in a palace. You can always add more plants to it later on. Decide if you’re starting from scratch with seeds or using transplants. You may want to first prepare your plants indoors if you’re growing them from seeds. Consider well the time that you can devote to this whole home gardening endeavor.

Factor in the Season and Your Climate

It’s best to work with nature as plants need their ideal temperature and lighting conditions. For example, if you live in a place where it almost always rains, opt for plants that thrive in the shade. To get started, check out the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s guide to know the plants that you can grow in your area, as well as the best time of the year to plant.


Photo courtesy Sean Freese/Flickr

Consider Your Space

Take a good look at your premises to maximize what you have. If you have a backyard, you can plant directly on the ground or you can build raised garden beds. If you live in a condo or an apartment, you can still grow some greens or blooms. According to DMCI Leasing, an online condo rental site, there are still ways to put up a garden in your condo or home. You can use a trellis, a terrarium, an aquarium or simply reuse containers. Wall gardening is also a good option when it comes to planting in vertical-living spaces. In any case, put your plants where there is enough light and humidity, and where you can easily tend to them.

Prepare the Soil

If you’re using a backyard, till the soil and remove stones, weeds and other things that can hinder your plant’s development. You may want to have your soil tested by the agricultural extension office in your area. You can also just buy soil from stores, especially if you don’t have a yard to get it from.


Photo courtesy Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil Health Campaign/Flickr

Enhance the Soil

Make your soil as healthy and nourishing as possible for your plants. Old leaves, grass clippings and manure make great organic matter for rich soil. Mix in generous amounts of it—a thick layer of about 3 inches—into your soil.

Know What’s Harmful to Your Plants

Throughout the course of your home gardening, you will encounter a variety of organisms that will either harm your plants or help them grow. Take the necessary steps based on your circumstances. For instance, while weeds are almost a constant trouble to every plant, some plants may be more prone to aphids. On the other hand, if something aids in the growth of your home garden, such as earthworms, let them stay.


Photo courtesy Pink Sherbet Photography/Flickr

Properly Plant Seedlings or Transplants

If you’re starting from seeds, make sure to prepare your seedlings carefully first before you set them into place in your backyard. This can be done by growing them under controlled conditions and by carefully following the directions on the seeds’ package. Once your seedlings are big enough, transfer them to the spot where they can fully develop. Meanwhile, if you’re buying young plants instead of seeds, ask for specific instructions and tips from the store where you bought the plants.

Watch the Water

Seeds require plenty of water as they germinate. Same thing goes for seedlings that you transplanted to your home garden, as their roots are still finding their way into the new soil. With this, don’t forget the optimal levels of water your plants need to survive. This is another reason why it’s important to put your plants in an easily accessible place.


Photo courtesy rfduck/Flickr

Put Down Mulch

Keep soil temperature, water levels and earthworm activity in check, and keep annoying weeds out with this layer of protection for your home garden—mulch. You can choose organic mulches such as shredded old leaves, cocoa hulls and grass clippings or inorganic mulches such as stones and plastic. Cover the soil with about 2 inches of the mulch of your choice and leave space for the stems.

Just Keep Going

Preparing the soil and setting your plants in place is only half the battle. Conscientiously look after your vegetables, herbs or flowers. Never let them wilt due to lack of water and nourishment. If you must use fertilizer, follow directions to the letter. But if you decide to grow your home garden the organic way, prepare to have plenty of compost. Take proactive steps to protect your home garden from weeds, pests and animals. You may have to build fences regarding the last one.

Beginners may feel overwhelmed with the array of plants and articles on gardening. Remember that these ways to initially start a home garden so you can be right on track. Remember, start small. After all, you’re nurturing nature here. Once you see your plants grow and produce food or flowers, you will be reaping the fruits of your labor along with the satisfaction of sustaining life.


Aby League is a medical practitioner and an Elite Daily writer. She also writes about business and other topics of great interest. She also writes a blog, About Possibilities. Follow her @abyleague and circle her on Google+.

  • Published on Jul 15, 2015
Tagged with: Reader Contributions
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