What to Grow For Beginner Gardeners

what to grow for beginner gardeners

There are many plants that you can grow. You can choose from mint, garlic, herbs, and beans. If you’re a beginner gardener, it may be hard to decide which plants to grow. But there are a few plants that you can try first.

Tomatoes

There are hundreds of types of tomatoes you can grow in your garden. The key to growing beautiful tomatoes is to water them consistently. You should also be aware of the diseases and pests that can damage your tomato plants. If you do have a problem, you can find out more information online or by talking to other gardening experts.

Tomato plants need a soil that is rich in micronutrients, minerals, and compost. They thrive in well-draining sandy loam. In addition, the soil must be at a pH level between 6.5 and 7.0.

To make sure your plants are growing in the right environment, you should choose a location with a good mix of sunlight and shade. This can help you avoid tomato blight.

Once you have chosen your location, plant your tomatoes. Make sure to use stakes to support the main stems of your plants. Use twine, cloth strips, or even steel posts.

It is important to give your tomato plants a chance to become acclimated to their new environment. It can take a couple of weeks for your plants to adjust. Keep them in an area where they get about six to eight hours of sun per day.

After transplanting, your tomatoes should be watered thoroughly. Water them in the morning before they get too hot. Try to water them at the base of the plant to avoid blight problems.

Herbs

If you’re new to gardening, there are many things to think about. For example, herbs are easy to grow, inexpensive, and provide a wide range of benefits. In addition, they’re a wonderful way to add color and fragrance to your cooking. Whether you want to start with culinary herbs or medicinal ones, you’ll find that herb gardening is a rewarding hobby.

Herbs are great companion plants to vegetables. They help keep pests away from your food. Having fresh herbs in your garden also improves the taste of your dishes. You can use herbs for teas, smoothies, and soups. They are also great to grow in containers on patios.

Many herbs are self-seeding. This is a good thing, as it means that you won’t have to worry about buying more seeds. However, you should still avoid using pesticides on your plants.

One of the most common herbs for beginners is dried oregano. It’s a delicious addition to a salad, sauce, or stew. And, it’s useful for other things too, such as attracting insects and helping the digestive system.

Another common herb for beginners is parsley. It’s easy to grow, and it can help improve the flavor of your recipes.

For example, you can add fresh herbs to your favorite pasta sauce, or put them in your favorite salad. These herbs are great additions to your garden, but they require a little TLC.

Beans

If you’re just starting out with your first vegetable garden, beans are a great choice. They’re easy to grow, produce a lot of food, and don’t require much attention. Beans are also a good crop to store for a year.

Besides being a versatile plant, beans are a nitrogen-fixer, which means they will help add valuable nutrients to your soil. A light, slow-release fertilizer is a good choice for supplementing your crop.

The first step in growing beans is to determine the best location for your beans. They’ll benefit from eight hours of direct sunlight every day. You can keep track of how much sunlight your bean plants receive by writing a sun journal.

To get the most out of your garden, be sure to water your beans consistently. This will encourage your plants to set down roots. Watering too little can lead to disease problems, while too much can damage your plant.

You can even use a cold frame to increase the temperature of your soil. If you don’t have access to one, you can try a drip irrigation system. It’s especially important to keep your beans well watered when they’re in the process of developing their seed pods.

One of the easiest ways to determine your bean’s pH is to use a soil tester. Soil that is too acidic can prevent your beans from thriving. For a healthier crop, you should aim for a slightly acidic pH.

Mint

Mint is an aromatic plant that can be used in cooking and drinks. It has a mildly sweet taste that is great with lean meats.

You can start mint plants by propagating them with root cuttings or you can grow them in a pot. If you choose to grow them in a pot, you’ll need to place them in an unglazed clay pot with ample drainage holes.

Mint plants need regular pruning, trimming, and watering. They also benefit from a good fertilizer every 4-6 weeks and light compost mulch in the summer.

When you’re ready to transplant, make sure to use sterilized pruning shears. Keep the stems of your mint cuttings moist and in indirect sunlight.

Mint grows quickly, so you’ll need to thin out the plant to keep it in check. To do this, cut the stem at the intersection of two leaves. This will shape the plant and produce new foliage.

Mint is an attractive addition to any garden. Although it grows well in most soil types, it is most effective when grown in a well-drained, organically rich, and sheltered location.

Another cool thing about mint is its ability to attract pollinators. A good selection of mints can be planted indoors for winter blooms.

Mint can spread easily through underground runners, so it’s best to plant it in a sheltered spot. Make sure the location is well-drained and the soil has a pH range of 6.0-7.0.

Garlic

Garlic is an easy plant to grow. It needs a long growing season and good soil to survive. Garlic can be planted in a container, raised bed or even in the garden.

In the fall, plant garlic bulbs. This allows the bulb to start developing roots and laying down new top growth. The leaves of the bulb will begin to appear in early spring.

To grow garlic, prepare the soil with a nitrogen-based fertilizer such as blood meal or composted chicken manure. A layer of fresh grass clippings is also helpful for covering the plants and suppressing weeds.

For a healthy harvest, it is important to plant in full sun. The cloves should be planted two inches deep. You can leave the clove wrappers on the cloves when planting.

Garlic needs moderate water levels during its growth phase. If you’re planting in dry weather, irrigate every 8 to 10 days. Avoid overwatering, which can cause bulb rot.

You can fertilize your garlic in early spring. An organic fertilizer mix is ideal. Besides nitrogen, the mixture contains alfalfa meal, feather meal, and compost crumbles. Apply the fertilizer before planting.

When growing garlic, keep in mind that it is a heavy feeder. Watering the garlic should be done at least once a week.

Before storing, clean the bulbs to get rid of any dirt or pests. Place the bulbs in a well-ventilated area.

Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums are a fun and easy-to-grow flower that adds a bright touch to your garden. They can be grown in planters, containers, and pots. These are also good companion plants to vegetable gardens.

Nasturtiums are relatively hardy. However, they can dry out quickly. In addition, they are prone to an infestation of aphids. So, be careful when planting.

Nasturtiums grow best in full sun. They will tolerate shade, but won’t bloom as profusely. When choosing a location, make sure it is in a spot that is bright, free of weeds, and has plenty of drainage.

Depending on your climate, nasturtiums can be planted in the spring or fall. They will bloom throughout the summer and into the fall. You can either buy them as ready-grown plants or start them from seed. The seeds will germinate in about 10 to 12 days.

You can grow nasturtiums in a pot, in a sunny window, or even outdoors. Ideally, you should plant them in natural stone or clay containers. If you live in a warm climate, you may need to give them a bit of afternoon shade.

Nasturtiums don’t like fertilizer. However, you can add a diluted vinegar solution to the soil to help kill aphids. During hot weather, you should water them regularly. Watering the leaves will also protect them from colds and athlete’s foot.

There are many different varieties of nasturtiums. Some have variegated leaves, while others have subdued colors.