Gardening can seem intimidating if you’ve never done it, and many people consider “where do I even start?”. Gardening also comes with a lot of trial and error, but harvesting your first fresh tomatoes is the best feeling!
I’m no pro when it comes to gardening, but I come from a long line of farmers that have passed wisdom down along the way. I’ve also gained my own knowledge by reading articles online, watching Youtube videos, or picking up a gardening book here and there. I’ll do my best to give you some beginner information to get your hands in the dirt!
What to Plant?
First and foremost, you need to decide what you want to plant. Obviously, choose things that you like to eat! No point in growing something that will just go to waste. Beginner friendly plants like tomatoes, peppers, and herbs are relatively hardy and easy to grow, plus who doesn’t want some fresh summertime salsa?
When to Plant?
Do your research and figure out the best times to plant things. You don’t want to plant autumn squash in the summer, or tomatoes in the fall, so make sure you figure out what grows best in your area with each season.
Figuring out when (and what) to plant also depends on your grow zone. Where I live in Alabama has a grown zone of 8a, which is one of the hottest in the country! We also have a long grow season with a mild winter. If you live in a hardiness zone of 4, you will be growing some different plants and will have a much shorter growing season.
I recommend buying already established plants as a beginner gardener. Growing from seed can be a little tough, especially if you aren’t 100% sure what to do. If you’re wanting to plant from seed, check out The Seed Guy’s guide.
For example, if you want to plant tomatoes, you should put the nursery plants in the ground when nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees. Here in Alabama, April 15th is usually the “all clear” date to plant outdoors.
Where to Plant?
I began my gardening adventure using pots. If you are going to container garden in pots, make sure there are plenty holes in the pot for adequate draining.
Photo from theseedguy.net
If you are planting in the ground, you most likely will need to give your soil some love. In Alabama, our soil is full of clay, so top soil and fertilizers usually need to be mixed in.
You can also choose to do a “no till” method, by adding lots of soil on top of the ground. This is actually healthier for your soil too because tilling can destroy the beneficial microbiomes already established in the soil.
Read more about no till gardening here.
You should watch your yard/land and decide which areas get the most sun. Not every plant wants to be in the sun for 8 hours a day, so having some spots with shade is a good thing! Once you have seen how the sun shines on your area, you can decide which plants need to be set where.
What Kind of Soil?
Soil is one of the most important parts of gardening. If your soil isn’t healthy, your plants won’t be healthy.
You can do soil tests through your local county extension office, and I recommend everyone do one before planting things in the ground. This will help you get a good understanding of what nutrients your soil is lacking, then you can adjust accordingly to ensure your plants grow big and strong!
If you are planting in a pot or other container, research the kind of soil your plant will grow best in. Most plants enjoy a soil that drains well.
Ask around at your local co-op or plant nursery. Big name brands like Miracle-Gro will be more expensive, simply because of the name on the bag. You can find small brand soil with the same ingredients for much cheaper if you know where to look!
Things Won’t Always Work Out
Sometimes, no matter how much love and energy you pour into a garden, it won’t grow like you want it to. Growing your own food comes with lots of trial and error. Many things like weather, pests, and disease can affect your garden, but please don’t give up! Continue to do research and try again, because it will be SO worth it in the end.
Roots of a Southern Kitchen 