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A green thumb is a real gift when taking care of plants, vegetables or fruits is unfamiliar territory. Planting a garden is always in the back of anyone’s mind looking out at their backyard, but it requires too much effort for some. However, it is rather easy to tackle. All you need is patience, time and the will to do it.

Don’t try to bite off more than you can chew

Before embarking on this kind of project, you need a plan. First, choose the right location. Opt for the sunniest spot in your backyard as plants need at least 6 hours of sun exposure every day to remain healthy. Make sure to set up a minimum perimeter of 5 meters from any tree in your backyard. Indeed, their roots could end up stealing the nutrients that the garden will need to grow.

You must also take into account that the larger the garden, the more time will be required to take care of it. If this is your first garden, start with a smaller area and expand as the years progress.

Planting a garden : where to start?

When the plan has been set, you need to decide on the soil you will use for the garden. There are two ways to set up a classical garden: in the ground or elevated.

Gardens that are in the ground require the most physical effort and time. You need to transform the raw soil into fertile ground for the seeds.

You need to:

• remove the grass with a shovel;
• invert the soil at a depth of 20 cm;
• soften the soil until it becomes easy to work with;
• remove unwanted plants and rocks; and
• adjust the composition of the soil based on pH.

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On the other hand, fruits and vegetables grown in an elevated garden require a structure directly on the ground. Such a structure usually uses non-toxic products, is about 45 cm deep, and is not too wide to facilitate collection and maintenance of the plants. This method requires adapting the soil and building the structure necessary for the garden.

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Which plants should you use for your garden?

Before seeding, make sure that the temperature at night does not drop below zero, otherwise the seeds will die without producing anything. The vegetables that are the easiest to grow are tomatoes, zucchini, carrots, herbs, cucumbers, radishes and lettuce.

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These plants need to be watered every morning. It’s preferable to do so at this time of day because, in the evening, any excess water won’t evaporate and the plants will be at risk of developing diseases. Conversely, at noon, the sun is too strong and water will evaporate before the plants can even absorb the required amount of water. Quick tip: use rainwater to water your plants by installing a water barrel.

In conclusion, it is important to take care of your garden every day. Be on the lookout for insects, wild animals, weeds and diseases that plants are at risk of developing. Don’t hesitate to add fertilizer several times during the summer as these nutrients will help plant grow to their full potential. Investing in a garden is rather simple and inexpensive, depending on the size of it. Your family will be able to benefit from homegrown food, which is a good way to get your kids to eat their fruits and vegetables, and ask for more! Speaking of vegetables, did you know that it is actually possible to make a mini garden in a gutter? Read our article on this topic.

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