Gardening for Beginners
Build a Beautiful Landscape Even if You Don't Have a Green Thumb
Call it Gardening 101 - even the greenest beginner can learn how to have a beautiful yard that will be the envy of neighbors. And it doesn't have to cost a fortune.
Have you ever driven through a neighborhood of beautiful yards and gardens, barely giving a thought to the notion that you, too could have a landscape like that?
Well, you can, and have fun doing it. You may not have a green thumb, but bringing nature’s beauty into your yard is possible.
Gardening 101
Gardening isn't one of humankind's favorite past times for no reason, and here's another truth: It doesn't have to be expensive. You can create a landscape that tickles the eye and soothes the soul. This series will approach the art of gardening from the perspective, not of the master gardener (although we'll feature interviews and tips from MGs from time to time) but the novice. The clueless, even. Maybe you've recently moved from an apartment to a house, and you don't know how to begin. Indeed, sometimes it takes a while to grasp the reality that this is YOUR yard, and you can do what you want with it.
This series will assume you don't know what compost tea is, or what "zone" you live in. Call it Daffodils for Dummies, or Pansies for the Perplexed. Or, just call it Gardening 101.
Future articles will includes such topics as:
- What's my zone?
- What style of landscape or garden looks best with my house?
- How can I save money on healthy plants?
- What kinds of vegetables will grow best in my yard?
First things first
For now, let's consider how to get started. It's tempting, particularly as the weather gets warm and things start to bloom, to rush out and drop some money on a bunch of plants, dump them in the trunk of your car, and take them home. I've done it. Then, you get home, look around your yard and - draw a blank. The plants end up sitting on the front porch or sidewalk until they, well, die.
It's best to start with a plan, and there are some good resources to help you develop one. You can buy design software. Better Homes and Gardens offers a design tool on its Web site. You have to sign up for a membership, but it's free. The British Broadcasting Corp (BBC) also offers a free virtual garden tool. There are plenty of books to peruse at the store or local library. Have a tape measure handy to measure the areas you wish to cultivate. If you choose not to use software, have graph paper and pencils handy.
When planning a design for your yard, keep a few things in mind: what geographic zone you are in, the amount of sun vs. shade, the annual rainfall where you live, how much time you can devote to maintenance. You'll later talk with staff at your local nursery or garden center to get recommendations based on the answers to these questions.
Some experts suggest that it may be well worth the money to hire a landscape architect to take a look at your yard and draw you a plan. You can use that plan as a guideline, buying the appropriate plants each season based on your budget. It's an investment worth considering.
But if you have a creative streak or are an avid do-it-yourself type, you can sketch something out on your own. Get out your measuring tape. Take "before" photos. Look at gardening magazines and Web sites for ideas. For more tips, see landscape expert Georgene Bramlage's article about common landscape design problems.
The most captivating gardens are those developed over time; they have a sort of magic, a patina, like an old historic home with character. That type of garden takes patience. But with a plan, you can get there and have fun along the way.
