No matter if you have a an organic veggie or a herb garden, a backyard full of beautiful flowers, a DIY greenhouse, or gardens filled with delicious fruit, you can control everything, from design, pests, maintenance, or spaces with some free, basic expert gardening tips.

 

While you can always search for a gardening tip or two on YouTube, Pinterest, HGTV, and even get inspired from the Sims, we highly recommend that you take the advice we are about to present into consideration, as it has been tried and tested by specialists in this field of activity.

We will go through ideas and tips for all sorts of gardens (no relation to Busch Gardens in Tampa Florida, of course), from vegetable and herb (potato, broccoli, cilantro, bell pepper, spinach, zucchini, eggplant, garlic, basil, onion, olive, lettuce, kale etc.), to fruit (tomato, sweet orange, watermelon, apples, berries etc.) or flower gardens (annuals and perennials, including roses). Without further ado, here are the best home gardening tips for the smart, frugal and passionate beginner!

General Tips for Gardening Beginners

Lubricate the Shovel: If you’re new to gardening you’ll soon notice how much of a mess your soil can make. However, there is a way to drop down on the dirty business. All you have to do is spray lubricant on the shovel you use for your garden so the soil slips neatly off.

Control Pest: Take care of your plants by controlling small pests; protect new additions to your garden with care to prevent slugs and snails and cover the bulbs to avoid squirrels and mice. You don’t need to worry about ants, just focus on a few of these main pests and keeping them away.

Use Pots: If you live in an urban area without much gardening space, opt for growing your plants in a container like a pot. Nevertheless, be extra careful with your potted plants, as they will need your permanent attention. We recommend that you don’t use terracotta pots, as they tend to absorb moisture and dry your plants.

Go for Annuals: Gardeners who want fast results should go for annuals. Sowing for twelve weeks will leave you with amazing plants. Another advantage is that you can sow during January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November or December – but fall is the most recommended season to do so.

Vegetable Gardening Tips

Experiment with Organic Compost: Straw, debris from your garden, shells from eggs, dead leaves, grass clippings, coffee grounds and veggie peels are all great, natural ways in which you can obtain compost. Remember that your vegetables need compost to grow, so experiment with these free alternatives.

Attract Earthworms: Earthworms are a gardener’s best friend! One of the best garden tips is to attract as many earthworms as you can to your soil, as they expand air space and promote the healthy growth of your vegetables.

Get Fertile Soil: Even though both commercial and natural fertilizers will work just fine for your vegetables, we recommend organic varieties as a sustainable alternative. Some other tips for gardening in relation to fertilizers are: 1) being careful to not put too much and 2) use organic for attracting earthworms.

Save Space: A raised bed should be the first DIY gardening project on your list! You can make one on your own for your vegetable garden to save space and keep them in a safe place all at the same time. It is an inexpensive way that works for any yard, no matter how small it is. You can also save space by planting veggie that grow up, meaning that their natural direction is vertical.

Flower Garden Tips & Key Considerations

Location, Location, Location: You need to plan your flower garden according to how much sunlight or shade your flowers need; this depends on the plants you are preparing to grow. For example, lavender, sunflower, petunia and aster all need plenty of sun, while fuchsia, hydrangea, begonia or impatiens flowers all work well in the shade.

Plant Perennials: They might not grow as early as perennials, but they will last longer. The rose is the most popular example of a perennial that will keep your garden beautiful and blossoming. Choose the perennials that will make your garden perfect for photography.

Landscape Fabric: Forget a tractor, this trick will save you 3 times more hassle with pulling weeds than before. Place a sheet of landscape fabric when planting your flowers in your garden box to keep them safe and sound.

Pruning: This is one of the best flower garden tips for keeping your plants disease-free; make sure that you prune them often enough so they don’t die out. For this, you can use a pair of pruning shears, just make sure that you get a bit of oil on them after to prevent corrosion.

Home Gardening Tips for Growing Fruit

Prevent Disease: Keep insects away and try to maintain proper air circulation so your plants won’t remain wet. The moister the foliage is, the more likely your fruits are to develop disease.

Consider Dwarf Trees: We’d all love to have a grand orchard in our backyards, but not all of us have the necessary space. In this regard, dwarf trees are a fantastic alternative to saving space and growing the fruits you desire all at once. Examples of dwarf trees are: blueberry, pomegranate, mandarin orange, pear or cherry, just to name a few varieties.

Plant at the Right Time: When it comes to growing fruit at home, it’s all about timing. Depending on the fruit you are planning to grow, make sure that you plant it at precisely the perfect time of the year. If you don’t do this, you risk losing your fruit altogether.

Avoid Animals: Make sure that you build a fence around your crops to prevent rabbits, deer or voles from attacking them. If birds are your problem, you can always apply a netting system to avoid them getting in.

Fall Gardening Tips

Shop Now: Among fall gardening tips for individuals on a budget is that now is the best time to do your shopping. You will notice that nurseries cut down their prices right around this time of the year to avoid having huge stocks throughout the winter. You can benefit from some great deals that you normally wouldn’t have access to throughout the rest of the year.

Fertilize when Needed: Autumn is the best time for fertilizing – you can save a great amount of money simply by carrying out the process now, instead of spending double during an unsuitable season. The soil is still warm enough to support this, so make sure you take a bit of time to work on fertilizing during this season.

Invest in Fall Crops: There are numerous crops that are wonderful for fall harvest; particularly spinach, carrots, lettuce, radishes, kale, broccoli or peas will work excellently as fall crops. These are just a few examples, but it is best to check beforehand for any selection of crops for autumn.

All gardeners – regardless if they are beginners or advanced – could use a good list of home gardening tips from time to time. There are countless gardening secrets that you can apply through summer, spring, fall or winter, both indoor and outdoor. Hope our suggestions will help your home garden thrive all year long.

Image sources: 1, 2.