10 Tips for New Gardeners

Here are some tips for people who might be starting their first garden.

1. The most important soil amendment you can use is water. Someone actually did a study to prove it, so don't let those tax dollars go to waste.
2. Visit your garden often, even if only for a few minutes. The easiest garden problem to solve is the one you discovered early.
3. Decide the size of your garden according to how much you want to weed, water, plant, fertilize, etc. Imagine yourself weeding the entire space at least once a week during the hot summer months.
4. Sunlight is really important. Make sure there is enough sunlight for the plants you want to grow.
5. Find the website for your state extension service and use it regularly.
6. Find out the proper planting time for the plants you want to grow.
7. Only buy healthy seedlings/plants. Go to another nursery if you have to.  Sick plants are disappointment waiting to happen.
8. Make at least one other gardening friend, preferably a seasoned expert. Maybe the easiest garden problem to solve is the one they discovered for you.
9. Get a good hat and a pair of gloves.
10. Don't get too discouraged. Experience is the best teacher, so chalk any failures or disappointments up as learning experiences, figure out where you went wrong, and move on to the next crop or season.