garden tools and nursery plants on dirt — Garden tools

Happy springtime! It is a good time to talk about gardening. If you've ever wanted to garden and don’t know where to start, then this is the guide for you! Some key things you need to remember when choosing a plant to grow are light, temperature, space, location and watering. Every plant has their specific requirements, though as long as you keep it fed, watered and give it enough light you can grow just about anything. So, let's get into it!

Space and Location

As an urban gardener, I grow a lot of my edible plants in containers. Containers create a safe space to grow your fruits and vegetables. They come in various sizes, shapes and materials. There are many opinions on the web for what is the best container to grow in. I think whatever you have on hand or can find secondhand is good enough for growing. You can even chat with local neighbors to see if they have any pots laying around they don’t use. The great thing about containers is that you can stack them on a shelf or buy self-stacking containers to maximize your space. Stacking containers is best for herbs since you can grow one plant in each spot. If you are lucky enough to have more yard space you can invest in garden boxes, make your own, or purchase fabric bags online which also come in various sizes. I own 1x1 foot garden bags, which I was able to successfully grow carrots, peas, pumpkin, basil, cilantro, mint just to name a few. If all you have is a windowsill with a south facing window you can grow some plants like herbs. They won't be as large as the ones outdoors but if you love fresh herbs when cooking, I do recommend. You can also grow herbs in artificial light. I have never tried to grow it myself, but some people have been successful.

Temperature

Keep in mind the average temperatures in your area. If you live in an urban city like me where temperature ranges depending on where you are located in your city. We call these microclimates; they can affect the choice of plants in your garden. For me, I live in a cooler environment, but my patio is south facing where it gets lots of sun, and the summers are very hot. So, a lot of the plants I could grow in my area end up dying due to the excessive heat scorching the plants. I’ve come up with ways to create more shade in my garden but sometimes it's not enough. I tend to stick with sun loving plants since that is what I can grow. Humidity will affect your plants, especially if you are growing indoors. Growing indoors helps you moderate the humidity and temperature of plants more easily. Make sure to always avoid drafts and putting pots near heat sources. Look online if you would like to learn what plants can grow in your area, you will most likely find a blog or two.

Light

I feel temperature and light can go hand and hand. Where there is the sun there is heat and light. Having bright light for your plants is important. Most plants need up to 6 hours of sunlight per day, some may do well with less or more. Keep in mind the light your yard has when choosing plants. If you choose a plant that needs a full 8 hours, and your location only gives max 4 hours of sunlight you might want to reconsider. There are many herbs that do well both in sun and in shade like mint. My mint plant has thrived in both sun and shade. If you are growing indoors you will need to consider window space and artificial light. Most house plants do well with indoor lighting, just make sure they get enough daily. If you keep your plants in the dark, they are more prone to dying.

Food and Watering

Just like any living thing on this earth, they need water and nutrients to grow. Fertilizing at least once a month for growing plants or more depending on the plant and fertilizer used. Good recommendations for fertilizers are natural kinds, there are many easy ways to make your own fertilizers. Synthetic fertilizers are full of chemicals and tend to attract more pets to your plants. So, it is best to stay away if you can. When growing in pots you will need to water your plants more frequently, especially during hot and dry summers. The water evaporates quicker under the sun compared to large garden boxes. Before temperatures reach their highest point during the day you will want to water your plants. Nighttime watering works too but keep in mind pests like slugs enjoy the dark damp environment. They will eat your sprouts.

Plants

After you have determined your environment it's time to pick some plants. The best way to start is by buying some nursery plants from a garden center or a local plant group. Garden centers are a good way to find plants, they will have information on how to grow and where to plant them. Plant groups are good too because you can trade plants, buy them from or get lucky enough for free plants. It's also a nice way to talk with other gardeners and get tips and tricks from them. If you would like to try your hand at planting seeds take notice of the seed date. The fresher the better but old seed packets will still yield plants. Read the planting instructions well to make sure that you can grow them in your home. When growing flowers make sure the plants are native to your area as they will affect your local pollinators and pests.

Thanks for reading! Now is the time to garden.

Important Dates!

April 16: Comic Post

April 23: Blog Post

April 30: Blog Post

July 19 & 20: Anime Market Sacramento

Links

Art Shop

Depop

Instagram