Give your 1 very best tip
If someone was fairly new to gardening, what general tip would you give them? I'm thinking things like "start composting" or which plants to start with. Which plants NOT to start with... Lol. Things you wish you knew when you first started.
Anyone gardening in the western states/provinces: Sunset's Western Garden Book.
Elsewhere: Sunset's National Garden Book.
The Sunset climate zone system is a more successful way of selecting plants and cultivars that will succeed than is the USDA Hardiness zone system, esp. w/respect to summer heat and overall precipitation.
These books also contain sections directed at new gardeners: how to prepare soil, how to water/irrigate, what common vocabulary terms mean, etc.
Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9
Elsewhere: Sunset's National Garden Book.
The Sunset climate zone system is a more successful way of selecting plants and cultivars that will succeed than is the USDA Hardiness zone system, esp. w/respect to summer heat and overall precipitation.
These books also contain sections directed at new gardeners: how to prepare soil, how to water/irrigate, what common vocabulary terms mean, etc.
Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9
- microcollie
- Green Thumb
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Get to know your surroundings. Take a walk around the area to see what others have planted. See what seems to be prospering and take note of things that look problematic. Take special note of what's growing naturally...that can be a good signpost as to what will do well in your garden. Many garden plants have their roots (forgive the pun) in wild species.
Talk to neighbors, garden center staff, and members of any local horticulture/garden societies. They can often help you to avoid the pitfalls that they've encountered along the way. They can also provide insight as to what's native to your area (natives tend to be less work in the garden, as they have natural defenses to your local pests and weather conditions). They can also lead you toward cultivars that will do best in your area.
Talk to neighbors, garden center staff, and members of any local horticulture/garden societies. They can often help you to avoid the pitfalls that they've encountered along the way. They can also provide insight as to what's native to your area (natives tend to be less work in the garden, as they have natural defenses to your local pests and weather conditions). They can also lead you toward cultivars that will do best in your area.
- Ozark Lady
- Greener Thumb
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Order seed packets in the winter, get lights set up, and grow your own seedlings. When growing them, be sure to feed them and not just water and expect good results.
My homegrown transplants are so much stronger than store bought ones, and I can have them ready for when I want to plant, not when they want to stock them and sell them!
My homegrown transplants are so much stronger than store bought ones, and I can have them ready for when I want to plant, not when they want to stock them and sell them!
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- microcollie
- Green Thumb
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Hope I don't get in trouble for posting my 2nd tip
Take pictures as you go. They're good reminders of what's planted where in the spring before everythings emerged. It's also helpful to have a dated record to look back on to see which times of year your design is successful and which still needs some work. (Or how perfect your garden is year round)
Take pictures as you go. They're good reminders of what's planted where in the spring before everythings emerged. It's also helpful to have a dated record to look back on to see which times of year your design is successful and which still needs some work. (Or how perfect your garden is year round)