It’s time to start a garden! It doesn’t have to be an overwhelming process. Use one or more of these 5 ideas to get started gardening!

Oh, SPRING! The green grass and the fresh air always makes me want to grow something. The new life bursting forth from buds and sprigs convinces me that I could actually do it – and keep them alive, too. Sometimes I succeed; sometimes I don’t. I’m just being honest.

This spring we launch our efforts anew. For many people, the thought of gardening is both appealing and overwhelming. If you were to suddenly go from not having a garden to trying to plant an entire year’s worth of food it probably would be very overwhelming. I do know a few people who just dive in like that. I’m not that adventurous. For those of you less-than-adventurous-like-me people, we can start small and ease our way into it.

5 Ways to Get Started With Gardening

 

1. Windowsill Garden

It really can’t get any easier than this. There are many things you can easily sow and grow inside your home and your kids will enjoy it, too. You are naturally limited by space so you can’t take on too much at once. This is the baby step of baby steps. Start with a set of favorite herbs appropriate for the amount of sunshine your window receives, such as basil, chives, mint, oregano, cilantro, dill, or lemon-balm. Use 4-6 inch containers that drain well, give them water and sunshine regularly, and trim off what you need as you need it.

For more on growing windowsill herbs:

Grow a windowsill herb garden – TLC
How to grow herbs on a windowsill – Garden GuidesGrowing an Indoor Windowsill Herb Garden – Garden Know How
13 Easy to Grow Herbs for Winter Windowsill Gardens – Yahoo

 

2. Do a container garden.

One step above your small, indoor, container herb garden is gathering a collection of larger pots and starting an outdoor container garden. The benefit of doing a container garden is that you can get started right away, they’re movable if you need to adjust the amount of light they are getting, and you can easily cover them or bring them inside if you get a freak freeze or a severe spring thunderstorm. On the other hand, they need frequent monitoring and watering – it can be hard to keep container garden watered enough in regions where it gets really hot and dry in the summer (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, for example.) You have to be able and willing to keep an eye on your “babies” and make sure they’re getting enough to drink. You can grow a large variety of produce in a container like this – from berry bushes to melons to your common veggies. Again choose things you really love to begin.

For more on getting started with a container garden:

Vegetable gardening in containers and small spaces – About.com
66 Things You Can Grow At Home: In Containers, Without a Garden – TLC
What Vegetables Can I Grow In Containers? – Garden Guides?

 

Related post- 5 Benefits of Growing a Vegetable Garden

3. Go With Square Foot Gardening

Square Foot Gardening isn’t just a current trend, it’s also smart! Square foot gardening allows anyone to get a garden started regardless of soil type or limited space. There is some setup and prep involved, and like large gardening, there’s some planning for planting involved, too. If you get the Square Foot Gardening book, Mel includes everything you need to know in step by step directions, with pictures! He even shows you how to build your raised garden bed and how much to plant of which vegetable or fruit in each square.

 For more information about Square Foot Gardening:

The official SFG website – Square Foot Gardening
Square Foot Gardening Tips – Garden Guides
How to Build a Square Foot Garden – Frugal Dad

 

5. Start with a salsa garden.

Using any combination of the methods above, one simple method people use to get started with gardening is by starting with a “salsa” garden – tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, cilantro. If you add lettuce, you’ll have a “hamburger” and “taco” garden, too, I’m just sayin’. By focusing small on this specific item, you don’t have to feel overwhelmed or worry about choosing what to plant. And this little handful of items can go a long way!

To plant a salsa garden:

How to plant a salsa garden – eHow
How to Grow a Container Salsa Garden – Yahoo

 

Related post- Chocolate Mint- Good For Much More Than Tea (and hint, it’s super easy to grow!)

6. Start small and build in increments.

Regardless of which method you choose, start small! In my head, I can see a yard full of raised square foot garden beds, containers of herbs and spices in the front, containers of berries and fruits in the back, along with a grapevine off to the side. We haven’t had a garden in a couple of years because (long story) we haven’t had an outside water source. No garden hose means no garden.

Now that we do, again, I’m starting from scratch, again. If I were to try to implement my vision all at once I would probably flounder and fail. I know me. So pick one thing and do it, then add another. If starting plants from seeds indoors is going to be an issue for you, start with small plants from the nursery. If getting a raised bed built is going to take some time, start with a few containers. If you decided to start with raised beds, start with one – get it going well before adding another. Add in increments to allow your habits, knowledge, and experience to grow as your garden grows.

Do you garden? What tips would you have for a beginning gardener?