Starting a garden? Not sure what plants to choose? Here is a guide on how to pick the perfect plants for your garden, based on sunlight, soil type, and climate.
When starting a new garden, it’s important to know what kind of plants will do well in the space you have. The three main things to consider when choosing plants are sunlight, soil type, and climate.
- Sunlight– One of the most important things for plants is sunlight. Not all plants need full sun, but most need at least four hours of direct sunlight a day. Full sun plants need at least six hours of direct sunlight per day, while partial sun plants can do with four to six hours. Shade trees or plants need less than four hours of sunlight per day. If you’re not sure how much sun your garden gets, take a look at it throughout the day to see where the sun hits.
- Soil type– Another important factor to consider is the type of soil you have. Different plants prefer different types of soil, so it’s important to know what kind of soil you have before you start planting. You can usually find out by doing a simple test with a screwdriver or other sharp object. If the object sinks into the ground easily, you have loamy soil; if it takes more effort, you have clay soil; and if it doesn’t sink in at all, you have sandy soil.
- Climate– The last thing to consider is the climate where you live. Some plants are only able to grow in certain climates, so it’s important to know what the climate is like where you live before you start planting. If you’re not sure, you can always check the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Once you’ve considered all of these factors, you should have a good idea of what plants will do well in your garden. From there, it’s just a matter of choosing the plants you like best and getting started on your gardening journey!
How to maintain your plants
Picking the right plants is only half the battle – you also need to know how to take care of them! When it comes to planting care, there are a few basic things you need to do: water, fertilize, and prune.
- Watering– How often you need to water your plants depends on the type of plant, the climate, and the amount of rainfall. In general, most plants need about an inch of water per week. You can either water your plants by hand or set up an irrigation system. If you’re hand-watering, be sure to water the plants at the base and not from above to avoid getting the leaves wet.
- Fertilizing– Fertilizing is important for keeping your plants healthy and ensuring they have all the nutrients they need to grow. The type of fertilizer you need and how often you need to fertilize depends on the type of plant. In general, most plants need to be fertilized about once a month.
- Pruning– Pruning is important for helping plants stay healthy and preventing them from getting too big. When and how much you need to prune depends on the type of plant. In general, most plants need to be pruned in late winter or early spring.
By following these simple care instructions, you can keep your plants healthy and thriving for years to come!
How to choose the perfect plants for your garden
Now that you know the basics of plant care, it’s time to start choosing the perfect plants for your garden! To get started, consider what type of plants you want. Do you want flowers? Vegetables? Herbs? Once you’ve decided on the type of plants you want, research which varieties will do well in your climate and soil type. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, it’s time to start shopping!
Your local nursery or garden center is a great place to start. The staff there can answer any questions you have about the plants and help you choose the perfect ones for your garden. You can also shop online for plants, but be sure to do your research first to make sure the plants will do well in your climate and soil type.
Once you’ve chosen the perfect plants for your garden, it’s time to get started on your planting journey! With a little care and attention, you can have a thriving garden that will provide you with beautiful flowers, tasty vegetables, and delicious herbs for years to come.
