From food security to simply feeling the excitement of watching your first seeds sprout, having your own vegetable garden comes with plenty of rewards. However, if you have never gardened before, it can be an intimidating process, and without proper knowledge, you could end up feeling frustrated. With these tricks up your sleeve, starting your first garden will be a breeze.
Start Small
Even seasoned gardeners started somewhere. You may have dreams of a lush backyard full of burgeoning plants, but it is best to start small and build up. This will allow you to learn from mistakes and gain confidence while avoiding learning those lessons at the expense of a large investment of time and money. Start with one small raised bed or a few large pots to ensure success and a lifelong love of gardening.
Consult Local Experts
Certain plants favor specific climates; don’t set yourself up for failure by creating a garden that won’t grow in your local climate. Consult your local nursery to explain where you would like to plan your garden, including how much sunlight the area will get, and they will be happy to help you choose the perfect plants to suit your needs.
Choose What You Love
When you first start your garden, choose the veggies that you truly love, know how to prepare and will use often. Nothing is more discouraging than realizing you let your hard-earned vegetable harvest go to waste because you were unsure of how to prep them. Choose only what you love to start. After your first harvest you can consider exploring a variety of vegetables. For now, make sure that you will truly enjoy the “fruits” of your labor.
Starting your first garden can be so rewarding, but it is easy to get discouraged. Starting small and with intention will allow you to feel the success needed to truly cultivate a lifelong skill set.
