| Families are trying to save money any way they | | | | impatiens, geraniums, sunflowers and zinnias are |
| can, and gardening may be one of the best ways | | | | perfect first-time annuals. Beginner's perennials |
| to do that! You can grow healthy food right in | | | | include lambs ear, lazy susans, coneflowers and |
| your backyard. Not only will you be able to walk | | | | daylilies. If you are interested in vegetables, |
| outside for fresh vegetables or flowers, you will | | | | consider planting lettuce, peppers, tomatoes or |
| know exactly what has gone into the food your | | | | cucumbers in your first garden. |
| family is eating. You can grow healthy organic | | | | If you purchased small plants instead of seeds, |
| food just steps from your kitchen window! | | | | gradually introduce them to bright sunlight. Many |
| Start the gardening process by planning what kind | | | | greenhouses and gardening stores keep their |
| of garden you would like. Do you want herbs, | | | | plants inside and away from direct sun. Start by |
| flowers vegetables, or a mix of all three? If you | | | | putting the plants on a covered porch, then move |
| choose flowers, do you want annuals that need | | | | them to an area that gets sunlight for a portion |
| to be planted every year, or perennials that have | | | | of the day and finally plant them in the ground. |
| a shorter blooming period but will come back next | | | | Water your plants only weekly, at first. Use a |
| year? Also consider the region in which you live. | | | | soaker hose in the mornings for the best results. |
| Some plants are more likely to thrive in certain | | | | Any more water and you will run the risk of |
| areas of the country. Often seed packets indicate | | | | drowning your plants. Once they are well |
| which areas of the country produce the best | | | | established, water according to the guidelines for |
| results. Your local gardening center will also be able | | | | each plant, as well as your area's rainfall. |
| to point you in the right direction. | | | | Don't forget to keep your garden tools clean! |
| Once you decide what you want to plant, you | | | | While this may seem counterintuitive since you |
| need to find the best spot in your yard. Look for | | | | use the tools in dirt, it is important. Dirty gardening |
| a place with easy access to water, proper | | | | tools can attract microbes that will harm your |
| drainage and direct sunlight. Consider putting the | | | | plants. Using clean gardening tools is one of the |
| garden in a spot that you look at every day, such | | | | easiest ways to keep your plants free from |
| as outside a kitchen or bathroom window. It will | | | | disease and infestation. |
| not only be a lovely sight, but will help remind you | | | | If a backyard garden sounds too ambitious, |
| when the garden needs water and weeding. | | | | consider container gardening or square foot |
| Now that you've chosen the spot, it is time to | | | | gardening. Container gardens are a great way to |
| start digging. It is important to find the right time | | | | reuse old porcelain bowls, tires or other items you |
| for this job - you can ruin the soil's structure if | | | | no longer need. First, decide whether you would |
| you begin digging when it is too wet or too dry. A | | | | like to keep your plants inside or outside, then |
| good rule of thumb is to dig only when the soil is | | | | you can choose the containers you want. When |
| moist enough to create a dirt ball in your hand, | | | | picking a container, there are a few considerations |
| but dry enough that the ball will fall apart when | | | | to keep in mind. The height of the plant at |
| dropped. Use a spade or spade fork to turn over | | | | maturity, whether it needs partial or full sun and |
| eight to twelve inches of soil, and mix in organic | | | | the length of the bloom time are all factors that |
| matter as you work. Continue to mix organic | | | | will help you decide which kind of container you will |
| matter with the soil for approximately three | | | | need. |
| weeks before planting your seeds. This will | | | | Square foot gardening is another great option. |
| improve your soil's water retention and soil | | | | These are small, intensely planted gardens. It is a |
| buffering. Test your soil's pH before you plant. | | | | form of organic gardening done in closely planted, |
| Some plants prefer more acidic soil, some prefer | | | | raised beds. Square foot gardening is a fine option |
| more alkaline, and some are happiest in neutral | | | | for people who live in areas with bad soil, |
| soil. Getting the right soil pH may mean the | | | | first-time gardeners or those with disabilities that |
| difference between a flourishing garden and failing | | | | prevent them from caring for a traditional garden. |
| one. | | | | Square foot gardens require less weeding, less |
| While you are improving the soil in your garden, | | | | water and fewer pesticides than conventional |
| start shopping for plants. Visit your local gardening | | | | gardens. |
| center, read magazines and brochures, or surf the | | | | Now you are ready to begin planting! Gardening is |
| Internet to find inspiration for what you would like | | | | a fun way to connect with nature and to give |
| to plant in your backyard. There are plenty of | | | | your family fresh vegetables, herbs and flowers |
| annuals, perennials and vegetables that are great | | | | to enjoy all summer long. |
| for beginning gardeners. Cosmos, marigolds, | | | | |