Start Your Garden This Year: A Guide to Growing Abundance
As we welcome a new gardening season, there’s no better time to start planning and planting your dream garden. Whether you’re envisioning rows of fresh veggies, a fragrant herbal haven, a vibrant flower garden, or a carefully curated companion planting layout, there’s something for everyone in the garden.
At Rising Rooted Yoga and Herbal Apothecary, we’re here to guide you through the process. Let’s dive into some practical tips for getting started and share a few resources to help you on your journey, including our Beauty By The Seasons Gardening Journal and Seeds to Harvest ebook, as well as our online class The Future with Seeds from the Past.
5 Ways to Start a Vegetable Garden
Choose the Right Spot Find a sunny location with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Good drainage and access to water are key to a thriving vegetable garden.
Prepare Your Soil Test your soil’s pH and nutrient levels. Add compost or organic matter to enrich the soil and create a fertile environment for your plants.
Start Small Begin with a manageable size, such as a 4x4 raised bed or a few containers. Choose easy-to-grow veggies like lettuce, tomatoes, or zucchini.
Plan Your Layout Group plants with similar water and sunlight needs. Utilize square foot gardening or row planting methods to maximize space and productivity.
Use Quality Seeds Invest in high-quality, non-GMO seeds. Save your favorites for next year by learning seed-saving techniques in our online class, The Future with Seeds from the Past.
5 Ways to Start an Herbal Garden
Select a Purpose Decide whether you want culinary herbs, medicinal plants, or a mix of both. Popular choices include basil, thyme, lavender, and chamomile.
Create an Indoor or Outdoor Space Herbs thrive in containers or garden beds. If space is limited, an indoor windowsill garden is a great option.
Focus on Sunlight Most herbs require 4-6 hours of sunlight daily. Ensure your chosen spot has adequate light or supplement with grow lights.
Use Well-Draining Soil Herbs prefer sandy or loamy soil. Mix in sand or perlite for improved drainage if needed.
Harvest Regularly Pruning your herbs encourages growth and prevents plants from becoming woody. Use your harvest in teas, cooking, or natural remedies.
5 Ways to Start a Flower Garden
Choose Your Style Decide on a theme, such as a cottage garden, pollinator-friendly garden, or a colorful annual display.
Prepare Your Soil Flowers thrive in nutrient-rich soil. Add organic matter and mulch to retain moisture and deter weeds.
Plant for Blooms All Season Select flowers with staggered bloom times to ensure vibrant colors throughout spring, summer, and fall.
Consider Pollinators Include plants like sunflowers, coneflowers, and lavender to attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Use Companion Planting Pair flowers with veggies or herbs to naturally repel pests and improve plant health. Marigolds, for example, deter harmful insects.
5 Ways to Start a Companion Planting Garden
Learn Plant Pairings Research beneficial pairings like tomatoes and basil, carrots and onions, or beans and corn for mutual support.
Utilize Natural Pest Control Pair plants like nasturtiums with cucumbers to repel aphids or garlic with roses to deter pests.
Optimize Space Combine tall plants like sunflowers with ground-covering crops like squash to maximize garden space.
Improve Soil Health Rotate crops and plant nitrogen-fixing plants like legumes alongside heavy feeders like corn to maintain soil fertility.
Diversify Your Garden A mix of flowers, veggies, and herbs promotes biodiversity, reduces disease, and encourages pollination.
Tools and Resources to Support Your Gardening Journey
1. Beauty By The Seasons Gardening Journal and From Seed to Harvest: A Comprehensive Gardening Journal for Beginners to Experts — Rising Rooted
Stay organized and inspired with our Beauty By The Seasons Gardening Journal. Available in soft cover, it’s designed to help you track your planting, harvests, and reflections. Pair it with our Seeds to Harvest ebook for in-depth tips and ideas to guide your garden planning.
2. Online Class: The Future with Seeds from the Past
Learn the art of seed saving with our downloadable online class, The Future with Seeds from the Past. This course dives into the ancestral wisdom of seed preservation, ensuring you can continue cultivating abundance year after year.
Final Thoughts
Starting a garden is a beautiful way to connect with nature, nurture your well-being, and provide sustainable food, medicine, and beauty. Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or just beginning, these tips will set you on the path to a successful and fulfilling gardening experience.
Explore our Beauty By The Seasons Gardening Journal and Seeds to Harvest ebook, and join our The Future with Seeds from the Past online class to deepen your gardening knowledge today!