Spring is here, and it’s time for spring gardening ideas to help gardeners start planning their summer gardens. Even beginners can enjoy a small garden to provide them with some of their favorite vegetables. As someone who grew up with my mom’s large gardens, I have learned on my own to grow a small amount of produce myself. I have learned that the garden does not have to be big, and it doesn’t have to take up too much time. Here are some key gardening tips and gardening advice for beginners to get you started, including suggestions on materials and tools you might need, as well as spring gardening ideas for what to plant in a spring garden.
What to Plant in a Spring Garden
When I was a child, my mother had row after row of as many vegetables as you could imagine—tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, green beans, potatoes, onions, radishes, and more. We kids would hide from each other between rows of corn and get muddy in the irrigation ditches in-between that Mom would use to water her precious produce. We four kids would help, when the time came, pick tomatoes, dig up potatoes, shuck corn, and break up green beans. It was a lot of work, but the reward of fresh vegetables was well worth it. We always had plenty extra, so Mom would can green beans, stewed tomatoes, and pickled okra to enjoy all winter long. She would also freeze extra corn and okra in the deep freeze.
Garden Produce
Source: Tiny Tall, (CC BY-ND 2.0), via Flickr
I don’t plant as much as my mother did, but I do enjoy a few certain vegetables. There are several reasons to grow your own vegetables. For one, they taste better than vegetables from the grocery stores. Much better! Two, they are healthier as they don’t have the chemicals that might be on veggies from the store. Three, home-grown veggies cost much less. Lastly, you can get some outdoor exercise and sunshine, too, while feeling a sense of accomplishment for what you’ve created out of the earth. So, as far as gardening advice for beginners, just pick out a few of your favorite veggies and make a plan for what to plant in a spring garden. My favorites—that aren’t too hard to grow—are tomatoes (both regular and cherry-sized), cucumbers, bell peppers, squash, lettuce, and spinach. That’s not a lot, but it’s a start. I also have some asparagus in the ground that seems to still be alive. Asparagus takes a couple of seasons to produce, so I’m hoping to have some fresh asparagus this year. More additions I’m adding this year are my favorite herbs, such as cilantro, parsley, and chives. Park Seed promo codes will help you find all the seeds—or even plants—you need to start your garden.
Where to Plant Vegetables
I don’t have acres of land, but I do have a nice back yard. A couple of years ago, I made a raised garden bed out of some boards I bought at the local hardware store. I had them cut 8 feet long by 4 feet wide. I nailed them together, added soil, and that was it. The following summer, I bought a pre-made raised garden bed that easily went together. If you have great soil, and it’s easy to dig down, you don’t even need the raised beds. Just dig down in the dirt and continue with your own spring gardening ideas and plans.
My raised vegetable bed
Source Image: Author
With lettuce and spinach, I just plant those seeds in pots in the yard. I move them around when the sun gets too hot on them. Herbs can be planted just about anywhere, too, so I plan to stick them in pots and set them around the yard. You don’t need much room to grow a few of your favorite vegetables. If you have even a small patio, you can use flower pots to enjoy a few of your favorites.
How to Prepare Your Garden Soil
My vegetables grew the best the first year when I used some Miracle-Gro soil in it. When I spent no time on the soil the next year, I was very disappointed in the decreased produce. Preparing the soil doesn’t have to be complicated. I’ve done a lot of research, and everyone seems to have different ideas on what goes into the soil. I started a compost bin a few years ago, so I plan on mixing some compost in with my soil. I’m going to add some Miracle-Gro soil again, along with some peat moss. Basically, I would suggest just mixing regular soil with some kind of fertilizer and then keep your seeds and veggies watered. I’ve also learned to add mulch after the seeds start sprouting. Putting mulch around these small plants will help keep weeds coming up between them, which saves a lot of time and aggravation.
Tools You Need for Gardening
One of the best investments I made for gardening is my tiller. When I was a kid, my mom had a huge tiller that ran on gas and was heavy and difficult to push. A few years ago, I found a light-weight, electric tiller that is easy to use. I have a long extension cord to plug it into an outside outlet. I love this tiller! It works so well to break up the ground in my raised garden beds. I don’t enjoy digging and hoeing at all. This tiller saves me from all that work—and does it in just a few minutes. Check out Mantis coupons codes and Sears promo codes to find your own favorite lightweight tiller or cultivator at the best prices. It’s a purchase I certainly haven’t regretted.
Mantis Garden Tiller
Source: Mantis website
Enjoy Your Fresh Home-Grown Garden Vegetables
You’re set now with gardening advice for beginners! Pick your garden spot and figure out what to plant in your spring garden. Build or buy a raised bed, or plant directly in the ground. Fertilize your soil. Pick out your favorite vegetable seeds, plant them, mulch around them, and water them according to the package. Everyone can enjoy some type of fresh vegetables with these gardening tips for beginners. Try this gardening tips and add your own spring gardening ideas to have fun and create your own home-grown vegetables!
