Dos and Don’ts for Gardening Your First Year

Growing vegetables and beautiful plants may look fairly easy, but there’s actually more to it than what meets the eye. Gardening requires a lot of attention, along with more effort than you may realize. You certainly don’t want to overexert yourself if you’re a first-time gardener. There are also several other mistakes that first-time gardeners make that you don’t want to catch yourself doing. These are the dos and don’ts for gardening your first year that will help you make it easier for your initial efforts. In case you missed this post, Marigolds: Planting Them In Vegetable Gardens

I highly recommend these for seedlings: CowPots and Organic Seedling Soil, this way you plant your seeds and place the CowPots in your garden when the temperatures are right. This is where I buy my garden seeds: SeedsNow  

Dos and Don’ts for Gardening Your First Year

Start a Compost Pile

During your first year of gardening, go ahead and create a compost pile that’s close to your garden and that will be ready for year two. That way you’re not only recycling, but you’re also adding nutrients for your plants while creating a good soil structure that your garden will appreciate. When springtime rolls around, that’s the best time to add a layer a couple of weeks before you plant.  

Because my yard is very small, I purchase organic compost at the local gardening center. I also buy worm castings, they work great. If you can’t get them locally, you can buy them on Amazon. Organic Compost and Organic Worm Castings

Maintain Good Soil 

The first year that you plant a garden, you may find that the soil is rich and full of nutrients. But after one or two growing seasons your soil and its health may start to wear out a bit, which is bad news for your plants. Keep your soil in tip-top shape by adding a combination of half topsoil and half compost. That way your plants and vegetables will be able to thrive and yield a better harvest for you. This is an important tip for gardening your first year and the follow-up years too.

When and How to Water  

How and when you water is also very important for the wellbeing of your garden. The best time to water is earlier in the morning. That way the sun doesn’t cause the water to dry up so quickly. Avoid watering too much or too little, because this can cause the plant to drown, or its leaves to wilt. If you water late at night there is a chance that mold or fungus can show up too. Trying to balance the time to water and the amount that’s needed is a balancing act you’ll learn as you go.

Also make sure that you aren’t watering the leaves, but rather the base of the plant. If you fail to do so, your plant can become diseased or you may notice fungal growth that takes place. For those plants that you have in containers, be sure to give them a little more water, especially during the summer.     

Don’t Go Too Big  

One of the biggest mistakes that beginners often make is that they try to go all out by creating a garden that’s too big. Just remember, the bigger the garden, the more sweat and hard work you’ll have to put into it. Did you know that a smaller well-tended garden can provide a larger yield than an unkempt garden that’s twice the size?    

For your first year, consider planting a garden that only covers a 4X4 space. That way you don’t become easily overwhelmed. Once you’ve mastered that and enjoyed a season or two of delicious veggies, now you can move on to a bigger and more rewarding garden.    

Don’t Just Plant Anything and Everything 

When you pay a visit to the lawn and garden center and you’re standing there contemplating whether you should buy every kind of seed packet to add variety to your garden, don’t! I know you’ve been fantasizing about all the different plants and vegetables that you can enjoy, but don’t get ahead of yourself. 

As it turns out, some plants and vegetables don’t do well close to each other and need separate beds entirely. Stick to just a couple of varieties your first year. These are vegetables that you should consider that have a higher yield.  In case you missed this post, Companion Planting: What Not to Plant Together

Don’t Neglect the Importance of Sunlight

Be sure that you don’t just plant your garden any ole’ place in your backyard. On a sunny day, I’d recommend that you pay close attention to where direct sunlight hits your yard all throughout the day. Keep in mind, the more sunlight the better for most plants. 

The sun is essential for plants because it provides them with nutrients and energy, allowing them to flourish. Most plants need about 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each day, so make a note of the amount of time each location in your yard receives sunlight. 

However, that’s not the case for all plants and vegetables. There are a few varieties of vegetables that actually do better with less sunlight and partial shade.  In case you missed this post, Vegetables That Grow In The Shade or Partial Shade  

Don’t Plant Too Early or Too Late 

Planting out of season is too risky, so don’t make that mistake. Pay close attention to the directions on your seed packets so that you know exactly when the best time for planting them in your area. Even if the cold doesn’t appear to damage the plant, it can certainly stunt its growth due to the lack of sunlight. This could mean less yield for you to enjoy.  

What to Plant by Zone

Not sure what to plant or when? Check out our “What to Plant” posts for each month. They tell you just what to plant in each zone during each month of the year. 

• What to Plant in January
• What to Plant in February
• What to Plant in March
• What to Plant in April
• What to Plant in May
• What to Plant in June
• What to Plant in July
• What to Plant in August
• What to Plant in September
• What to Plant in October

Don’t Overcrowd your Plants

Many first-time gardeners make the simple mistake of planting their seeds too close to one another. This thwarts their growth and allows pests to travel from one plant to another easier. It also creates a tangled mess and makes it harder for you to pull weeds. When you’re ready to plant, make sure that you follow the directions on the back of the seed envelopes so that you ensure that you’re providing enough space for your plants to thrive.    

Don’t Turn a Blind Eye to Weeds and Pests 

I know it can be frustrating when you’ve put in all that hard work, only to discover weeds popping up everywhere, along with evidence of pests munching on your plant’s leaves, but don’t turn a blind eye to what’s going on. 

You’ve toiled much too hard to give up now. Keep up on pulling weeds so that they aren’t stealing nutrients from your plants and vegetables. 

Many gardeners use liquid gardening soap to keep insects out of their gardens. It’s an organic insecticide that’s considered safe for both humans and animals.  You can also confuse and deter bugs by planting marigolds, basil, and other scented flowers close to your vegetables.

Dos and Don’ts for Gardening Your First Year

Final Word

Gardening can be so rewarding as long as you don’t go too big or make some of these easy mistakes that first-time gardeners often make. What are some other dos and don’ts for gardening your first year that you’d pass on to others? May God Bless this world, Linda. 

Copyright Images: Gardening AdobeStock_99237531 by COCO