The following beginner-friendly step in starting your garden builds upon the steps I previously mentioned (if you haven't seen it, check out my earlier post here). Every decision you make for your garden, from the financial investment to the time commitment, will be influenced by your garden's purpose, the types of foods you decide to cultivate, and the method in which you will garden.
If you've already finished the previous four steps, it's time to move forward in your gardening journey. This upcoming step can be both exciting and overwhelming. It's one of your initial commitments to gardening: investing your hard-earned money.
Gather Your Garden Essentials:
Regardless of the gardening method you choose, you will need to make some initial investments. Some methods are more cost-effective than others. If container gardening interests you, you'll need to start by buying appropriate containers. For raised bed gardening, now is the time to plan the type of raised bed you want to use. In-ground planting may not require specific materials, but you will still need some garden supplies to get started. Continue reading for more details on what these initial purchases might entail for you.
Container Gardening: Determining the type of containers you will be using for your garden will be based on a couple of factors; the space in which you will be growing your garden, what type of plants you are wanting to grow, and your budget. If you're considering a small patio garden, you'll have more room for larger containers than someone designing a garden on their balcony. The size of the container is crucial for the success of the plants you wish to grow. For example, small planting pots are ideal for herbs, smaller vegetables & fruit, and flowers, but they might not be the best choice for larger crops like tomatoes or cucumbers. Your budget will also determine the ways in which you obtain your containers. If you are wanting to be more cost effective, you may want to use containers such as grow bags or even 5- gallon buckets. For those wanting to be more frugal, I highly suggest searching for containers in places such as local buy/ sell groups or local gardening stores. If you are not necessarily concerned with being cost- effective, then you are going to be more open to purchasing containers made specifically for gardening.
Raised- Beds: If you’ve decided that raised beds are the right gardening method for you, it’s important to consider the time and effort you’re willing to invest in building them. If you’re comfortable using power tools or know someone who is, you can save money by purchasing raw materials like lumber or metal to construct the beds yourself. However, don’t forget to factor in whether you already have the necessary tools or if you’ ll need to rent or buy them. If building from scratch isn’t an option, there are pre-constructed raised beds or DIY kits with instructions available for purchase across the internet. I also often come across people selling them in local buy/sell groups. While convenient, these options tend to be more expensive. If budget is a key consideration for your garden, it might be worth watching a few YouTube tutorials to learn how to build your own raised beds.
-In-Ground Planting: Of the three traditional gardening methods, in-ground planting is often the most cost-effective option. This method involves planting directly in your yard’s soil, eliminating the need to purchase materials for building beds. While you can still create slightly raised planting areas within your space, the focus remains on utilizing the natural ground. However, it’s important to note that you will still need to invest in basic gardening tools to prepare and maintain your garden effectively such as shovels, rakes, trowels, spades, etc.
-With Container Gardening and Raised Beds, you will need to purchase the soil to fill them. Most stores offer soils that are specific to containers and raised beds and depending on your budget, this may suffice. Find more information about soil in an upcoming post.
I have compiled a list of linked products as a guide for purchasing your materials. These items are not sponsored but rather just my personal recommendations. You can find similar items at lower costs across a variety of websites. For all recommendations, if you have any questions about purchasing, what could be planted in them, etc.. please reach out to me at info@simplymakensie.com. I will also be going more in detail in future posts, so keep an eye out.
Whiskey Barrels are commonly used in container gardens as they can offer an ample amount of space for root growth. These can be used for a variety of plants such as herbs, small fruits & vegetables, and flowers.
Grow Bags are another convenient method for those who choose to garden in containers. Grow bags provide space for root growth but also the perk of being easily portable.
Elevated garden beds are often considered to be raised beds, however, I consider them to be containers. The reason for this is because traditional raised beds are typically those directly above ground level. These elevated beds are perfect for herbs, smaller vegetables, and flowers.
Raised Beds can come in a variety of materials and shapes. The above pictured raised bed is metal, comprised of steel panels. This option can be more cost effective, however, compared to its wood counterpart, it may have shorter lifespan. You can grow practically anything in a Raised Bed.
Wooden Raised Beds are a versatile option for gardens. You can adjust the size, shape, and style depending on your budget and creativity. Wooden beds are found to last longer than metal beds, so they can be a wise investment. However, the initial expenses may be higher compared to metal. Similar to metal Raised Beds, the plants you are able to grow within it are almost endless.
Various Garden Tools
Certain tools might not be needed based on the gardening method you select. However, I suggest including a few tools in your Garden Toolkit, like those shown above, to make your gardening efforts easier and more successful. Some simple garden tools to purchase would be:
Gloves: Although many of us love digging our fingers into the soil, it's essential to protect your hands.
Garden Trowel: Used for digging small holes or digging up weeds. Can also be used for convenient planting or transferring of plants.
Pruning Shears/ Pruners: Used to remove selective parts of a plant.
Garden Fork: Used to lift and turn over soil.
There are a variety of tool options available for purchase. By researching "common garden tools," you can determine which tools might appeal to you because of their advantages and which ones you might consider unnecessary for your personal garden.
Until next time!
Wishing you green thumbs and sunny days,
Makensie
コメント