Striving to be a green thumbed newlywed? One of my favorite things about spring and leading into summer is all the beautiful flowers that brighten up our yard and the yards of our neighbors! I have to admit, I’m not exactly the green thumb in my household…it is actually my husband who knows when to plant everything and how often to water it so it stays beautiful for the season(s).
He grew up with parents and grandparents that love gardening…seriously everything from flower beds to vegetable gardens to a pear tree growing in his grandparents’ backyard! I on the other hand grew up in a home where a landscaper took care of the shrubbery before we moved-in and the only flowers that we had were the ones we would purchase at the store and transfer into a pots that sat on our front porch and deck.
No matter how you grew up you could learn to have a green thumb…believe me, if I can learn so can you! Gardening is a great way to get back in touch with nature, be used as mild exercise or a way to relieve stress after a long day or week…so get outside this season and enjoy a new hobby!
Here are some gardening basics to help you become a green thumbed newlywed:
You’ll need some tools in order to be a successful gardener, including a shovel, pruning shears, a hose, a rake, a trowel, and a sprinkler (if necessary).
Annuals vs Perennials: Annuals for the most part don’t handle frost or cold weather very well, so it is best to plant them when the soil has had some time to warm up after winter. Perennials on the other hand can be planted in early spring or even fall and will do just fine! Find out more about the differences between annuals and perennials here.
Best Place for Flowers: Typically, flat ground is the easiest place to plant your flower bed and be sure that it’s in a sunny spot. Flowers need sun (some more than others) to live, so it’s very important to choose a place that the sun hits most of the day.
Tips for Beginners*:
- Make Sure the Soil is Rich
- Prepare and Loosen Soil
- Plant in Warm Soil
- Spray Soil with Water, Dig and Plant
- Mulch (to protect soil from drying up due to sun)
- Protect Plant from Insects and Disease (i.e. spray leaves with vinegar or other plant protectors)
- Don’t Drown Your Plant/Flower
*Tips in detail at BasicsOfGardening.com.
What are your favorite garden flowers? What is your best tip for beginners? We’re not all green thumbs, so please help us out and leave a comment below!