Diving into the wonderful world of gardening for the first time offers an array of fantastic benefits, from the beauty and serenity of nature to the calories you burn and the satisfaction of watching your hard work bloom with beautiful life. Earn your green thumb and enjoy the enchanting garden you deserve with tips specifically designed for beginners. These will help your landscape achieve a look the whole neighborhood is envious of!

5 Tips to Follow When Gardening for the First Time

1. Select Plants for Your Landscape & Region

Choose plants that thrive based on the amount of sun or shade your yard receives, as well as your overall climate. Look up your hardiness zone if you do not know it already to avoid planting blooms and herbs that cannot withstand the regional temperature or seasonal changes. Native plants are generally best because they require considerably less maintenance.

2. Perform a Soil Test

Test your soil using one of the convenient kits found at nurseries and garden supply stores to determine the current pH level. Some plants thrive in acidic and alkaline soil; however, most do best in neutral soil featuring a pH between 6.2 and 7.2. You may need to add compost or other nutrients depending on what you want to plant.

3. Practice Good Watering

Water your flowers and plants based on what each species requires. Never overwater, as it can result in fungal growth, shallow root systems, pest infestations, and weed growth among other problems. Develop a schedule that includes slow, deep watering sessions for the best results.

4. Mulch When Appropriate

Add a two to three-inch layer of organic mulch to your garden beds in the late spring to protect against weeds and add nutrients to the soil. Do not apply too much mulch, as it can cause the root system to rot and attract pests. Sandy soils retain less moisture than others and usually require more mulch. 

5. Do Not Prune in the Fall

Never prune flowers and plants in the fall. There are more fungal spores in the area during autumn that can spread disease throughout your garden. Prune in the winter or early spring to encourage new growth during warm weather and protect the plants from injuries. You can also trim them when you need to remove diseased, dying, or dead shoots.

Northgate Greenhouses provides Cincinnati, OH, area gardening enthusiasts with a fabulous variety of native and exotic blooms, as well as mulches and soil. The team is renowned for their plants and even got the honor of being the official growers for the Western Southern Open tennis tournament. Visit their website to find everything you need to create your dream garden. Call (513) 729-1134 if you do not see what you want in stock. Follow the greenhouse on Twitter for more great tips.