My husband and I are starting our first garden this year so we are seeking advice to help us out. We want tips on anything related to gardening that you wish you had known when you started! We are trying to grow in Central Massachusetts so any specific advice on gardening in MA would be super helpful Thank you in advance
Start small Do you want to grow food What do you eat Do you like flowers Pick a specific area or begin with pots planters or a raised bed Go to a local nursery and choose some plants you like Learn everything about those plants Keep them alive Add more plants next year and grow your knowledge It’s like eating an elephant, take it one bite at a time
@Zane
I agree completely
Don’t let the sunk cost fallacy keep you from changing your plans If something doesn’t work for you, change it until you are happy with the results If certain plants aren’t growing well, try different ones Experimentation is key
@Peyton
Benjamin Hesson here My late father loved gardening and yard work, and I have followed in his footsteps I enjoy mowing the lawn and planting various trees and bushes Sometimes when things don’t go as planned, it becomes a struggle to decide whether I want to waste the effort I’ve already put in Do I want to spend more money Cheyenne WY can be tough for maintaining certain plants but ultimately, loving what you create is the most important so your comment was timely Thank you
@Peyton
This is great advice Also, if there’s something in your yard that you don’t like, it’s your garden and you don’t have to keep it
No matter what type of gardening you want to try, I suggest contacting your local Agricultural Cooperative Extension Service Every state has one, usually tied to your state’s university, like the University of Massachusetts at Amherst They have a lot of information and tips about ornamental and production gardening specific to your area and climate
@Terry
Thank you that is very helpful
I’m also a new gardener, started last year I agree with everyone who says start small I made the mistake of creating too large a garden area and got overwhelmed Some plants did well while others struggled It was a lot of trial and error
Be sure to consider how much sun different plants need and how much sun your yard gets
Also, be mindful of the sizes your plants will grow to and place the taller ones towards the back I was surprised how tall my black-eyed Susans and gaura grew while other plants stayed close to the ground
I also found weeding overwhelming even though I mulched properly But now, I work on small sections at a time and listen to an audiobook while I do it
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Kit said:
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This makes a lot of sense I’d suggest making a list of what you want to plant, whether it’s vegetables, herbs, flowers, or shrubs Then contact the Massachusetts cooperative extension and request a soil testing kit They will send you a package and instructions for mailing a soil sample to the University of Massachusetts for analysis In a few weeks, you will receive a report on your soil’s condition and what type and amount of fertilizer you’ll need They also have a help center where master gardeners can answer any questions during the growing season They hold clinics, seminars, and even plant sales throughout the year, most of which are free or low cost Here’s a link to master gardeners in MA
And here’s a link for soil testing at UMASS
Grow herbs that you use They smell nice and you can dry them for winter use or gifts For annuals, I used seeds I was surprised by how many types of basil there are For perennials like oregano, rosemary, and thyme, I bought small plants Some herbs help keep unwanted bugs away
Plant marigolds two months before your tomatoes It has been shown that the roots help protect tomato roots from nematodes Many gardeners believe marigolds repel bad insects and attract good ones My dad swore by this and his vegetable garden was amazing
@Laurel
Nasturtium leaves and flowers are great in salads You can even candy the flowers for edible decoration on cakes or other dishes if you enjoy that Too much work for me, but a friend loved making fancy desserts
Great advice Companion planting takes research but pays off
The green caterpillars that invade your plants smell bad when crushed, but doing so helps keep others away
Birds were a big problem for me in Arizona I don’t know about your area but check if you need to limit their access I lost my first batch of tomatoes to birds They also ate all my grapes
Mint should be contained in a pot
Plant it in a pot never put it directly in your garden or it will take over everything
Reeve said:
Mint should be contained in a pot
Plant it in a pot never put it directly in your garden or it will take over everything
Agreed I keep mint in pots on my patio
Check out enthusiastic YouTubers like SustainableMe and James Prigioni
Study where the sun travels throughout the year in your garden to understand sunny and shady spots Preparation is key, but it’s okay to lose some plants as long as you learn from them
@Whitney
I highly recommend James Prigioni for vegetable gardening Have you seen his early videos They’re quite the trip In one, he shoots up into the air like a rocket when he says his catchphrase, “let’s GO!”
@Whitney
And Jess from Roots and Refuge She’s amazing
Mulch will be very helpful
Accept that not all plants will survive, there will be tough seasons, and sometimes you might not enjoy it.
But then it will be late February and you will realize that spring is around the corner and planning can begin This actually adds interest and joy to a typically dull time of year, plus so many benefits and challenges