Gardening Basics Catalog

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Vegetables Catalog

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Fruit Catalog

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Herbs Catalog

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Tree Catalog

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Gardening Basics Catalog

Gardening is a rewarding and relaxing hobby that also provides fresh, nutritious foods right from your backyard. This gardening basics catalog aims to equip beginners with all the key information you’ll need to understand how to plan and care for your first garden. We’ll cover everything from deciding what types of plants to grow to preparing your garden site to the ongoing care and maintenance involved each season.

You’ll learn the fundamentals of gardening – from working with your soil to dealing with weeds and pests. We discuss the benefits of different gardening methods, whether growing in raised beds, containers, or directly in the ground. Best practices are provided for growing veggies, herbs, fruits, and ornamental plants.

The gardening basics catalog focuses especially on techniques and tips that are approachable for children, parents, and teachers without previous gardening experience. By the end, you’ll have the confidence to design a garden plan tailored to your space and needs. Some of the topics covered inside include:

-Garden planning, preparation and plant selection -Plant biology basics and recognizing growth stages -Garden care and maintenance through the seasons
-Common pests and diseases and organic solutions -Harvesting produce and integrating into meals

Gardening is equal parts knowledge and experimentation. Not everything will go according to plan your first season! But through gaining an understanding of core gardening principles, the catalog will set you up for success and help instill the confidence to try, observe, and learn. Gardening can yield not just flowers and fresh vegetables, but also a lifelong hobby and great memories in the garden with friends and family.

The catalog will cover all the basics – the rest you’ll gain through getting your hands dirty! We hope this guide makes growing easier and more enjoyable for you.

Types of Gardens

There are several types of gardens you may choose from when planning your backyard or patio space. Your interests, available space, sunlight exposure, and time commitment are factors which will determine what type of garden will suit your needs.

How to plan a garden

Vegetable Garden

This very popular garden type is grown specifically to harvest ripe vegetables and herbs for fresh meals or preservation. Typically requires full sun (6+ hours) and high quality soil. Best for those with more space and interest in edible harvests.

Growing your own vegetables is extremely rewarding and cost-effective. When planned properly, even small vegetable gardens can yield bountiful summertime harvests with flavors far superior to store produce.

Focus first on easy care, high yielding vegetables like:

tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, beans, lettuce greens, carrots, peppers and herbs.

Master these before trying fussier crops.

Some plants grow better next to certain neighbors.

For example, pairing carrots & tomatoes or basil & tomatoes.

Learn key companions to boost yields.

Give each vegetable you grow what it needs to thrive:

  • Tomatoes – cages/stakes for support, even watering
  • Leafy Greens – nitrogen fertilizer, shade cloth in hot weather
  • Root Crops – loose fertile soil with good drainage
  • Vining Crops – trellises/fences for vertical growing space
  • Herbs – frequent harvesting for more regrowth

The basics like sunlight, water and nutrients matter for all vegetable crops. Beyond that, tailor care to each plant’s preferences. Monitor for pest or disease issues early and intervene gently using organic/natural solutions. With good site preparation and care, your vegetable garden will keep your kitchen stocked through summer and fall.

Plan a garden landscape

Flower Garden

Whether growing for their beauty, aromas, cutting stems, or attracting pollinators – flower gardens can be quite varied. Flowers thrive in all light exposures and many do well in containers too. Best for beginners seeking lower maintenance.

Flower gardening brings vibrant colors, lovely scents, and artistic potential to outdoor spaces. Annuals provide nonstop blooms in season while perennials re-awaken every spring.

Focus first on undemanding annuals like marigolds, zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, morning glories, and nasturtiums. Also choose tough perennials like daylilies, coneflowers, and coral bells which tolerate more growing conditions.

  • Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowering
  • Provide proper support for tall flowers like delphiniums
  • Mulch around plants to conserve garden bed moisture
  • Remove fallen leaves/petals to prevent fungus and pests
  • Annuals sprout, flower, seed, and die within one season
  • Perennials regrow each year from their rootstock
  • Some perennials take 2-3 years to establish before flowering
  • Spring flowering bulbs need chilling period to bloom profusely
  • Roses require six+ hours of sun, fertile and neutral pH soil
  • Native plants are low maintenance, support bees/birds

Do some research on your region’s annual/perennial flowering seasons. This will allow you create beautiful succession blooms from spring through fall frost. Deadhead spent flowers and prune back perennials in winter to ensure healthy regrowth each year.

Container Herb Garden

Herb Garden

Herb gardens focus on culinary, medicinal, and aromatic herb plants. Can range from a simple kitchen windowsill to larger beds. As herbs thrive through pruning/harvesting, these gardens remain a manageable size. Great option for container gardening.

An herb garden offers a delightful combination of beauty, fragrance and culinary charm. Many popular cooking herbs also have ornamental value with added butterflies, bees and birds attracted to their savory flowers.

Focus first on parsley, basil, dill, oregano, sage, rosemary, cilantro, chives, thyme, and mint. Bonus that these provide sauces, soups and salad into dishes too.

Developing a green thumb for herbs is quite simple. Provide 6+ hours of sun, well-drained unfertilized soil, and trim plants frequently to promote bushy regrowth. Specific tips:

  • Pinch off flower heads to prolong leaf harvest period
  • Cut stems just above leaf nodes where new shoots can emerge
  • Save seeds from favorites like dill & cilantro for future years
  • Bring potted basil, parsley, cilantro, chives indoors over winter
  • Place them in a sunny window and trim back leaves by half
  • Transplant back outside after the final spring frost date

Harvesting should be generous once herbs become established. Snip off stems down low, above where two leaves or leaf sets meet. The key secret to prolific herbs is the more you cut, the more they produce all season long right up to first fall frost.

Container Garden

Perfect for patios and short on space gardeners. Container gardens provide flexibility but require more attention to water, nutrients and drainage. Best for small fruits, flowers, veggies and compact herbs.

Container gardening opens up gardening possibilities for those with limited yard space, patios or balconies. With the right soil mix and plants suited to pot culture, bountiful harvests happen even in containers.

Select compact vegetable varieties, appropriate herbs, trailing flowers, dwarf fruits or specific patio cultivated plants. Containers constrain root space so small-growing adaptable plants thrive best.

Use a commercial organic potting mix blended for drainage – Combination of peat moss, compost, perlite or vermiculite. Soil quality is even more important with limited root zone.

  • Move containers to utilize optimal sun exposure as it shifts
  • Monitor soil moisture frequently, watering when top inch becomes dry
  • Adjust watering for indoors vs patio settings

Container Types & Sizes Match pots material, depth and width to plants’ expected mature sizes. Larger volumes of soil hold moisture longer but can be extremely heavy when saturated. Use rolling bases under big pots.

By tailoring soil, plants and containers to each other, even a compact balcony can produce harvests. Pay close attention to moisture needs in pots and provide supports for vining plants. With good planning, container gardening yields satisfying results.

Mixed Garden

Why choose just one? Mixed gardens incorporate flowers, herbs, vegetables etc into aesthetic designs. A way to reap beauty, harvest food, and enjoy variety based on space and interests. Can feature themes like a pizza or salsa garden.

Cottage Theme Garden

Cottage Garden

Cottage gardens feature an informal, welcoming layout with winding paths weaving through a collection of flowering ornamentals, fruiting shrubs, perimeter vines, and select herbs/vegetables interspersed together.

There are many other niche garden types – rock gardens, bog gardens, shade gardens. We’ve covered some of the most popular beginner garden options. Consider your space, commitment level, interests and gardening purpose as you determine which type is the best match. The basics of preparing soil, knowing your region’s climate and providing plants what they need remain the same.

Basic Gardening Tools and Equipment

Having the proper basic tools makes gardening easier and more enjoyable. The essential tools allow you to effectively prepare soil, plant, cultivate, and maintain your garden space. Here are some of the key tools to start with:

Trowel

A handheld shovel for digging holes and transferring/moving soil and plants. Look for one with an ergonomic handle. Useful for all garden types.

Garden Fork

Its prongs help loosen and lift soil with minimal disturbance. Prepare new beds and turn existing soil with this tool.

Hoe

Push/pull hoes uproot weeds and create furrows while stirrup hoes slice weeds. Use along garden beds or around plants needing space.

Watering Can

Essential for hand watering new transplants, seedlings and potted plants. Select plastic or metal cans based on weight preferences.

Pruners

Pruning overgrowth improves plant health and productivity. Bypass pruners provide clean cuts on live stems for most pruning jobs.

Gardening Gloves

Protect hands from blisters, calluses and dirt with a comfortable, snug fitting pair. Look for flexibility and breathability

Sprinkler & Soaker Hoses

Efficient irrigation saves time hand watering with a hose and nozzle. Consider a lawn sprinkler, drip system/soaker hose or oscillating sprinkler.

Baskets/Buckets

Have a few empty buckets on hand for harvesting produce, collecting weeds/waste and transporting tools and supplies around the garden.

Seed Trays

Essential for starting seeds indoors to transplant outside later. Trays allow you to organize and move seedlings in one batch.

Grab these fundamental tools first before adding advanced tools to keep costs down initially. Invest in quality products that will last for years in the outdoor elements. Maintain tools by cleaning dirt off after each use and storing properly.

Preparing Your Gardening Site

Proper site preparation sets the foundation for a healthy, productive garden. It begins with understanding your gardening site’s soil, sunlight, irrigation access, and layout to determine if amendments or modifications need to be made.

Soil Preparation

•Start by testing soil composition and pH based on test results.

•Amend soil with compost or other organic matter to improve nutrient levels, texture and drainage.

•Adjust pH levels if needed based on plants grown.

•Dig beds to loosen soil, remove weeds/debris and shape for good drainage.

Planning Garden Layout and Size

•Evaluate sunlight patterns and arrange beds accordingly.

•Plan paths between beds to allow easy access for care/harvesting.

•Size gardens based on available space, water access and your yield goals.

•Draw garden map each season for crop rotation and records.

Sunlight Requirements

•Most vegetables/fruits need 6+ hours of direct sun.

•Determine the sunniest spots for them to thrive.

•Reserve partly shady areas for shade-loving ornamentals.

Irrigation and Water Access

•Convenient water access is key for regular watering.

•Have hose, sprinkler system or rain barrels set up nearby.

•For container gardens, group containers in well-drained sites.

Preparing your site ahead of planting prevents many common issues and reduces maintenance needs long-term. Test soil early, amend where needed, and arrange your garden thoughtfully based on sunlight and irrigation access. This investment of time and planning truly pays off once it’s time to plant!

Planting Zones (when to plant)

National Plant Growing Zone Map

Determining optimal planting times is an important part of gardening success. Timing plantings correctly allows crops to thrive with a region’s climate patterns versus struggling to survive. The USDA provides a map for you to see what your growing season is to help you determine what and when to plant. You can check out their website to put in your zip code for more information on your specific area.

Planting Seasons

Cool season crops like spinach/carrots prefer spring or fall planting
Warm season crops like tomatoes/peppers need summer warmth & growth time
Perennial & biennial plants shift yearly between vegetative and reproductive growth

Seed Packets and Transplants

Seed packets indicate when to directly sow into garden soil
Transplant starts are sold during their appropriate spring/summer planting widows

Frost Dates and Cold Tolerance

Track your region’s average last/first frost dates
Choose cold hardy & frost tolerant varieties if planting earlier or later

Other factors like rain patterns, day lengths, and microclimates also guide planning. For example, leafy greens thrive in cooler fall temperatures while tomatoes require consistent summer heat.

Learn your plant varieties’ ideal conditions and match them with your area’s seasonal shifts. Put frost covers over seedlings if cold snaps occur. With observation and planning, you can enjoy nonstop harvests through succession planting. Mastering this seasonality makes gardening even more bountiful.

Planting Your Garden

Once your garden site is prepped and the timing is right, it’s time to get planting! You’ll need to make some key decisions and provide ongoing care to give your garden the best start.

Direct Seeding vs. Transplants

  • Larger seeds can be directly sown into garden beds
  • Or start seeds indoors and transplant them outside when hardened off
  • Transplants allow growing earlier in the season than soil temperatures may allow

Proper Planting Depths

  • Check seed packet instructions for depth and spacing
  • Larger seeds planted deeper, small seeds just below the soil surface
  • Set transplants at the same soil level as in containers

Ongoing Care

  • Water new plantings daily until established; prioritize over other tasks
  • Apply organic mulch to lock in moisture and reduce weeds
  • Monitor for pests or disease; treat organically at first sightings

Common Pests & Diseases

  • Identify whether insect, animal, or disease related damage
  • Remove plants immediately if signs point to soil borne disease
  • Employ IPM (Integrated Pest Management) strategies

Patience is required at the start until seeds sprout and transplants are established. Set up supports/trellises early for vining crops like peas or tomatoes. Have bird netting or garden fabric ready to protect seedlings and ripening fruit from critters. Stay observant for pest or disease pressure and intervene early on before populations explode.

Seasonal Gardening Calendar

Gardening is an year-round activity when each season has its own list of to-dos. Staying on top of key tasks during spring, summer, fall and winter ensures your gardens thrive.

Spring

  • Test and amend garden soil
  • Prune back perennials as they wake up
  • Pull early sprouting weeds
  • Sow cool weather crops
  • Transplant seedlings started indoors
  • Monitor for pests on new growth

Summer

  • Water thoroughly in the morning
  • Apply organic mulch to lock in moisture
  • Stake/trellis vining plants
  • Pinch back excessive growth
  • Harvest produce & herbs frequently
  • Deadhead spent flowers for more blooms

Fall

  • Stock up on mulch/compost for winter
  • Cover unused beds with green manures
  • Pull out old annual plants by the roots
  • Sow cover crops to boost soil health
  • Plant fall greens like kale or spinach

Winter

  • Prune dormant trees & bushes
  • Protect new trees from rodent damage
  • Go out on warmer days for garden cleanup
  • Maintain tools and repair infrastructure
  • Look through seed catalogs & plan the next garden

From pulling weeds to harvesting the fruits of your labors – there’s an ebb and flow to gardening tasks across the year. Staying mindful of each season’s demands keeps your gardens ever productive.

Expanding your gardening knowledge is an ongoing, lifelong process as you gain experience. Take advantage of these excellent resources for learning more in-depth plant care, design ideas and troubleshooting:

  • Vegetable Gardener’s Bible by Edward C. Smith
  • The Old Farmer’s Almanac by Robert B. Thomas
  • Gaia’s Garden by Toby Hemenway
  • University Extension Services sites for region-specific advice
  • Offer soil testing, workshops and master gardeners
  • Provide pest/disease diagnosis and horticultural expertise
  • Check with county office to utilize this gardening support network
  • You Bet Your Garden
  • The Beginner’s Garden
  • On the Ledge

Gardening is truly a lifelong learning process. Enhance your knowledge through proven books, regional experts, and today’s digital resources. Review materials as you assess your garden’s unique conditions and needs each growing year.