| True life is in the magic of a garden; its growing | | | | Some of your plants, especially vegetables, may |
| flowers, plants and trees and the wildlife attracted to | | | | require more sunlight than others to flourish, so note |
| them. It is so exciting to have your own space to | | | | where there are trees, walls or buildings that cast |
| plant and cultivate these wonderful forms of life. | | | | shadow. |
| As a new gardener, once you have experienced the | | | | You probably want to place your kitchen garden |
| satisfaction of watching something blossom to its full | | | | close to your back door but not too close so as to |
| potential in an environment you have provided you | | | | allow the vegetables to absorb plenty sunlight. Place |
| will be hooked! Gardening provides a wonderful sense | | | | the tall growing plants so they do not overshadow |
| of reward and pride. | | | | shorter plants, such as peas or beans. All your plants |
| Whether you are passionate about beautiful flowers | | | | will thrive better if they get their share of sunlight. |
| or if your interest is in growing herbs or vegetables | | | | The best time to begin preparing next year's garden |
| for the table, spending time with your plants will give | | | | is in the fall. Turn the soil over and leave it like that |
| you great pleasure. | | | | through the winter for the frost to break the clods. |
| Before you start, here are a few tips for a new | | | | Rake through and remove stones for spring planting. |
| gardener to help you on your way: | | | | Depending on your climate and what you wish to |
| Plan your garden. Test the soil type; the answer to | | | | grow, the best time for a new gardener to start |
| many of your questions lies in the soil. Loamy soil | | | | planting in a new low maintenance garden may be in |
| normally provides the best conditions for plant | | | | late winter, just before spring arrives. Seed packets |
| growth. Sandy or clay soil is less rewarding, but you | | | | will give you information on when best to plant. If |
| buy your plants accordingly, although your choices | | | | you prefer to buy saplings from a nursery, select |
| are more limited. The pH balance of your soil is | | | | small ones that are fresh and green and are about to |
| important for optimum results. You can buy a simple | | | | bud. |
| pH testing kit at just about any garden center. If you | | | | Seedlings may require 'hardening' for a little while |
| have difficulty finding a pH kit, just send a soil sample | | | | before being transplanted into the soil. You do this by |
| to a nearby university or agricultural center for | | | | gradually exposing them to outdoor weather |
| testing. They will happily test it for you. Because all | | | | conditions. Do this over the course of a couple of |
| plants are living things, they thrive best in the right | | | | weeks by placing them outside, in a sheltered area, |
| soil. | | | | for a few hours every day. As they adjust to the |
| Now, measure out your garden. Take pencil and | | | | open air (as opposed to the controlled environment |
| paper and sketch more or less how you want to lay | | | | they were used to in the nursery) they will |
| out your garden. Take shade into account as sunlight | | | | strengthen. Increase their exposure daily until they |
| is important for the growth of most garden plants. | | | | appear ready for transplanting. |