When I last consulted the calendar, spring had already started. Nature doesn't seem quite ready yet but it's not a reason to delay prepping your garden or balcony. Or both. As you will be able to read in this series, basic gardening is an activity each one of us can indulge in and benefit from, plus it doesn't require sophisticated tools or that you hold a PhD for that matter. I started being more involved in my garden in 2020 when we were forced to work from home for several weeks. Before that, I only hosted barbecues there and some sunset viewing eves. Just after my first trials, I experienced more inner peace in a tumultuous world and appreciated those moments truly when I picked my first cherry tomato. Interested to get there too?
Let's get started with some fundamentals:
1. Know your garden, your balcony, or the plot you will use to grow from herbs to veggies or fruits and flowers. All green, and colored, shrubs or weeds need the sun. Some more than others. This is why you need to determine if you are facing the north or the south, i.e. where is the sun coming up from and where does it set in regards to your plants.
2. Decide what you want to grow and where to place it. A lot of us live in cities and do not have a garden or large terrace space. You still can plant and reap what you seeded! How about you start with herbs for your cooking? You can even display them on your kitchen window sill, close to you while preparing your concoctions. If you are more advanced, you will probably be growing more intricate saplings.
3. Invest in basic tools such as a pair of good gloves, a hand trowel, a leaf rake, pruning shears, and a watering can. Your tools will make gardening easier, so make sure to do your research before you set out to buy equipment. Avoid the plastic ones. They don't last as much. And, very important to keep in mind, the equipment will be maintained in good shape if it's cleaned after each use. Start small. You will grow your materials as you go.
4. Plant your crops/shrubs right and make sure to water them as needed. Some need more water than others and most won't survive very arid and warm times. This might sound complex but it is not. By creating a routine to implement your planned schedule you can avoid the stress of do I water today? For how long? All the same? Argh! How am I supposed to remember all that info? Relax. You will grow fond of your new babies and have a feel for their needs, in nutrients and irrigation.
5. Keep an eye for pests, and they will surely grant you a visit. Make sure to keep away from industrialized and unnatural solutions: they might yield a faster result and one of the essential teachings of gardening is patience: you do not plant the tree today and harvest its fruits tomorrow.
Remember. Gardening boosts your health. It helps you connect with Mother Earth. It provides you with sun exposure, and yes! this is very good for both your skin and your brain, unlike what we have been told for so many years! With time, or by getting the right advice, you will enjoy the process, even if it's just on your window sill!
Happy gardening y'all!
