Hand in Hand

Finding your style depends on a few things. We’ll keep it simple to begin.

Let’s say you are new to gardening. Do you have lots of room for plants or just a small spot? A yard or just a patio area?

Are you wanting to plant a garden for food to eat, flowers to enjoy the sight and smell, or trees and shrubs to take up space or block a view?

For this example, we’ll say we have a small patio type area. We would like to grow tomatoes and maybe some lettuce and herbs. A few flowers to brighten up the area would be nice, too.

First step is to find pots for your plants. You can go to your local department store garden center or a local nursery. Even 5-gallon buckets will work. A 5-gallon bucket can handle 1 tomato plant, for example. So, keep that in mind for size. Lettuce and flowers can be planted in smaller planters that can be round, oval, oblong, and even square.

Then you’ll need to find potting soil. Easy to find bags of soil at the same places you’re finding pots. The options normally include basic potting soil, organic, and slow release fertilizer. Potting soil is different than garden soil or raised bed soil, so be sure you do get potting soil. Potting soil is usually a lighter mix, specifically made for pots.

The next thing is choosing your plants. If you’re just starting out, you may find it easiest to buy plant starts. There are different types of tomatoes, so read the labels to find what you want. Some grow bushy, while others grow tall. Think about your space when you make your choice. Feel free to ask an employee, as well, if you can’t find the information on the plant tag.

Lettuce and spinach grow easily from seed. Just read the packet on the variety and follow the planting instructions.

Flowers, well, you have loads of choices. Petunias are a great flower to start with. They grow well and some varieties spread nicely. So, you can end up with a full, lush planter with only a couple of plants. When planting in pots, just remember perennial means it will come back each year. Annual means it only lasts one year, so you’ll have to replant the next season. If you want to change your flowers each year, annuals are great. If you want one that will regrow each year, choose perennial.

Whatever you do choose and plant, don’t forget to water them! Don’t over water, though. Typically, poke your finger into the soil. If it’s wet above your first knuckle, don’t water it yet. Wait until it’s dry to your second knuckle, then water.

So, there’s an easy way to get started with just a few plants. Have fun!