Even if you don’t have much land, you can create a garden. A garden enhances your property and brings peace to your day. It also provides a space for creativity and energy.

You get the added bonus of being able to eat what you grow if you plant vegetables.

A garden can consume a lot of time, but they don’t need to be. It doesn’t take much to plant one small, but it will eventually grow and mature. You as a gardener will also see a growth.

You can learn the most by getting your hands dirty. Here are six keys to success in gardening

1. Soil
To have a successful garden, soil must be a living organism. Next, choose a location that you like and start digging! Cut up all weeds. Use a shovel and a hoe to move the soil.

Loamy is the best choice. It is a mixture between sandy soil, which can be loose and dry, as well as clay soil, which can be nutrient rich, heavy, and dense. If you are unsure whether you have sandy, clay, or both, bring a sample to your local garden center. They will tell you what to add for loam.

To create most beds, dig 6-8 inches deep into the soil. If you have compost, add manure and peat moss to the soil. These add nutrients to the soil, prepare it for plantation and are all sold at garden centers.

2. Light
Depending on your yard’s size and its location, you might not have many options for light. Do not worry. There are plants suitable for all levels of light.

If you get at most six hours of full sunshine each day, your garden can be used to grow vegetables or flowers that require full sunlight. Plants that grow well in partial shade (or sun) are best if there is a morning and afternoon sun.

If your garden gets less sunlight than three hours per day, or if it never receives direct sunlight, plants for light shade will be best.

Gardens facing south generally get sunlight all day, while those facing north receive no direct sun. Consider trees, buildings and fences which all can block sunlight.

3. Plants
There are two basic types of flowers, perennials and annuals. Annuals last for one season while perennials bloom season after saison. Perennials last for a season and then become dormant again in the cold winter. Biennials will last for 2 seasons.

Annuals bloom all through the summer, while perennials bloom only during the winter. Annuals, such as marigolds., impatiens., begonias. and petunias, need more water than perennials. But they provide bright colors.

It takes some planning to plant perennials. Planting perennials in your garden will help you have color all year. Plant annuals to give your perennial garden a lasting color.

Choose dense, compact, and leafy plants. You should avoid leggy or yellowing leaves. Remove the roots from the plastic cups. Do not damage the dirt ball. To ensure that the roots can find new ground in the garden, it is necessary to untangle them.

If you want flowers to grow, make sure they have enough space between them. As the summer progresses so will they.

Vegetables are an entirely different story. The majority of vegetables require plenty of sunshine and ample space. Your garden will be more beautiful if you place flowers and herbs around your vegetable patches.

4. Water
All gardens require water. Your garden will need approximately one inch of water per week during the growing seasons, unless it is in the rainforest or desert. It is recommended that you water the garden at minimum three times per week. Give it a good soak.

A small garden can be helped by a hose and a watering tool. For larger spaces, an oscillating sprinkler is a good option. Even though they take longer to cover a small area than a soaker hose, they can be very effective. These are great to use in vegetable gardens.

Water in the coolest parts of the day such as morning and evening. When the sun is the hottest, water evaporates quickly. This can be very detrimental to your garden.

5. Fertilizer
The benefits of monthly fertilizing are obvious for both vegetables and flowers. The fertilizers add nutrients such as nitrogen, which encourages leaf formation, and phosphorous to help with root health.

Chemical fertilizers may be powerful and effective, but organic fertilizers can also do a great job and provide more benefits over the long-term.

Sprinkle the fertilizer onto the dirt, and then use a rake/fork for to incorporate it into the soil.

6. Mulch
Mulch is highly recommended by every good gardener. You can buy mulch in the form of wood chips, or you can make your own from grass clippings. The first is best for active gardens, and the latter when it’s dormant.

Mulch keeps moisture in and inhibits weed development. Mulch should be spread an inch to two inches below the surface of the garden once it has been planted. You should not mulch directly against the plant stems. Leave some air around them to prevent them rotting.

Don’t be too ambitious when planning your first garden. You can always expand later in summer or next year. Once you have spotted weeds, remove them and fertilize the area during the growing seasons. After that, relax and enjoy the fruits.