by Emma Croft

Planting a garden is an excellent way to guarantee you always have fresh vegetables and fragrant flowers on hand. But to a beginner gardener, it can feel intimidating to start with only a handful of seeds and some dirt. Seguin Gardens & Gifts presents everything you need to know to plant a first garden that will flourish.

Take Your Time Planning

No matter the size of your garden area, the options for planting are endless. So, the first step toward a healthy garden is taking time to plan a bit. Think about what area you have available for planting, what types of vegetables, fruit, flowers, shrubs or trees you want to grow, and how much time you have to dedicate to caring for the plot.

During this time, you may discover you need to make room for your new garden. Sometimes, it can help to remove a tree from your property to ensure you have plenty of space for your garden. This, of course, isn’t a job you should handle yourself — leave this one to the pros. Look for tree removal specialists in your area who can remove trees safely from your property.

Of course, if all this planning seems a bit daunting, consider hiring a landscaping expert. A professional can help lay out your garden to suit your needs. That way, you’ll have the right plants in the right places, and have a garden that is able to thrive. Whether you’re dreaming of a simple vegetable garden to offset groceries, planning a secret garden of your very own, or thinking about installing a pond, a professional can provide whatever expertise you need to ensure your end result flourishes instead of fizzles.

Know Your Soil First

While you don’t need to go all-out and order scientific testing of your soil, knowing what type you have can help you grow a healthy garden. Fortunately, Gardener’s Supply Company notes all you need is a soil sample, a jar, and some water to conduct a visual soil test to see what type you have.

Once you know what kind of dirt is in your garden, it’s easier to treat the soil for optimal plant growth. Then, you can apply the fertilizer that’s best for your soil and plant combination.

Grow Plants That Aren’t Picky

Some plants -- veggies especially -- can be tough to please, although the nutritional benefits make them well worth the trouble. For a first foray into gardening, consider plants that are simpler to grow from seed. Carrots, green beans, lettuce, cucumbers, spinach and many other veggies are quick and easy to grow, even if you lack a green thumb.

When it comes to flowers, varieties like sunflowers and zinnias are notoriously unpicky, notes Better Homes and Gardens. They’re easy to start from seed, so you can have a beautiful flower garden in no time.

Choose Plants That Go Well Together

Selecting companion plants for your garden can help keep pests at bay and ensure healthier soil. Companion planting combinations like tomatoes and basil, peppers and onions, or green beans and corn are a great start to your garden, says Farmer’s Almanac.

Separating some plants -- and keeping others together -- helps keep disease spread to a minimum, too. Of course, knowing how to recognize common plant diseases is also helpful when you’re a beginner gardener.

Skip the Pesticide Application

While pesticides can be effective at clearing bugs out of your garden, they can also be harmful to your plants. Plus, pesticides can kill insects that are beneficial to your garden, such as green lacewings and ladybugs.

Instead of chemical sprays or plant feed, consider trying natural solutions. While companion planting can help cut down on pests, you can also try natural pesticides like neem oil, diatomaceous earth, or even applying nematodes, which eat all kinds of pests, says HGTV.

Plan Around Frost Dates

If you’re in a hurry to plant a garden, you may not want to wait for the perfect weather or season. But you should know about local frost dates, since an early or late frost can ruin your harvest before your seeds even sprout. Timing things right can ensure healthy plants and a robust yield later in the year.

Growing a garden can be immensely rewarding -- not to mention delicious and nutritious. The key to a successful harvest is proper planning, including choosing the right plants and soil treatments for healthy growth. And once you enjoy the first harvest from your garden, you’ll be on your way toward becoming an expert.

If you’re looking for seeds, plants, soil, or containers to use in your new garden,Seguin Gardens & Gifts has all the supplies you need to get started. Visit our site today!

Photo via Pexels

Emma Croft. emma.croft@getgardening.info