easier-to-grow plants so that
you become accustomed to the
whole process.

You obviously need some
land if you want to grow trees,
bushes, or tall plants but those
who don’ have land or space
in backyards for gardening can
opt for pots or tray gardens and
sow smaller plants or vines.
You can also go for community
gardens like those offered by
DIVERSEcity, a not-for-profit
agency, in Surrey. Ask around
to see if you can find a local
community garden!

The very first step to start
gardening is to prepare your
soil. You need to dig up the
entire space in small patches.
Check your soil. It should be a
right balance, neither too wet
nor too dry. Nutrient rich soil
is a must for healthy plants and
you must nurture your soil very
often. Also, remove all the weeds
and other unwanted growth
from your garden. Add compost
and natural fertilizers into the
soil. You can put dead leaves
or even peels of vegetables and
fruits. Work up the soil again.

 

It is important to note that it is
not advisable to walk on your
prepared beds. This inhibits the
proper supply of fertilizers and
water to the deeper regions of
the soil, so leave your soil loose,
don’t stomp on it trying to give it
a neat look. If you are using pots
or trays then you can skip this
step and buy the soil from local
nurseries. Next, water your soil
for two to three days—keeping it
in the sun of course.

Then it’s time to select your
plants. Decide on what kind
of garden you want and what
you will grow where. Herman
suggests that it’s better to keep
your flowers away from your
vegetables and herbs as they
attract a lot of birds, which can
dig and eat up your seeds. Once
you have read the instructions
about how to sow a plant, you
can start seeding them. Prepare
the rows by making furrows
and start seeding one plant at a
time, leaving enough distance
between them. Usually the
distance required is mentioned
on the packet of seeds when you
buy them, but the golden rule

 

 

is at least six inches away from
each other. This allows for you
to easily reach them when they
grow without disturbing the
roots of the other plants. For the
beginners who are not quite sure
about the seeding, there are also
set plants from nurseries. Then
you just need to dig a hole in the
soil and place the plant in it.

If you are growing flowers
you must see if they are annuals
or perennials. Annuals need
to be sown every year while
perennials last longer and bloom
at their peak season (usually
spring).

Looking after your plants is
an on-going process and a test in
patience, but the initial week or
two is crucial. Herman tells that
one way to protect your seeds
from squirrels and other rodents
is to place sliced lemon near
the furrows. The strong aroma
keeps flies, rodents, and evena
few birds away. Herman also tells
that sprinkling used tea leaves
over your plants act as a great
manure which can boost the
plant growth significantly!

It is common for weeds to

 

 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  

grow faster initially, but if you
regularly remove them you
will notice fewer. Water your
plants daily during summer but
remember not to flood your
plant beds. About 500ml to
800ml of water is sufficient per
seed before the shoot appears.
Once the shoot surfaces, you can
increase the water supply toa
litre per plant.

During rainy season, water
your plants only if necessary and
even that in very small amounts
as there is high moisture content
in the atmosphere. Make sure
your plants get ample sunlight.

Gardening gets you outside
and appreciating nature in a
totally different way than most
other activities. Whether
you start off small or
leap right in
with a bigger
gardening plot,
and whether you pursue
it solo or find a community,
soon the plants will start
growing and you will get
the ultimate satisfaction of
contributing to life and growth.