A COMPLETE GUIDE TO GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS

Dreaming of a lush garden filled with delicious fruits and vegetables grown by your own hands? Don’t worry if you’re a beginner, this article will be your perfect companion, guiding you step by step from preparation to harvest.

Choosing a Location and Preparing the Soil

Choosing a location: Plants need sufficient sunlight (at least 6 hours/day) for photosynthesis. Observe your garden and find the sunniest spot. If you live in an apartment, a south- or southeast-facing balcony is usually ideal.

Preparing the soil: Good soil is the key to a successful garden. Dig up the soil, loosen it, remove weeds and stones. You can add organic fertilizer or compost to increase soil fertility. The soil needs good drainage to avoid waterlogging and root rot.

Choosing Plants and Seeds

Choosing plants: Start with easy-to-grow plants with a quick harvest like lettuce, water spinach, spinach, cherry tomatoes… Learn about the characteristics of each plant to choose the ones suitable for your climate and space.

Buying quality seeds: Good seeds are the foundation for healthy plant growth. Buy seeds from reputable suppliers that guarantee quality and high germination rates.

Planting and Care

Sowing/planting techniques: Depending on the type of plant you choose, you can sow seeds directly into the ground or grow seedlings in trays before planting. Refer to the instructions on the seed packaging or find information online.

Watering properly: Water regularly but don’t overwater, which can cause waterlogging. Water in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid water waste and prevent plants from experiencing heat shock.

Fertilizing: Provide nutrients to plants by applying organic or chemical fertilizers according to instructions. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can harm the plants.

Pest and disease control: Regularly check plants to detect pests and diseases promptly. Use biological control methods or biological pesticides to protect plants.

Harvesting and Preservation

Harvesting at the right time: Harvest when the plants have reached their ideal maturity to ensure quality and flavor. For example, lettuce should be harvested when the leaves are still young and fresh.

Preserving produce: After harvesting, store fruits and vegetables properly to maintain freshness. You can wash, drain, and store them in the refrigerator.

Other Notes:

Be patient and dedicate time to caring for your garden. Observe and learn from other gardeners. Enjoy the joy of planting and harvesting fresh produce from your small garden.