Whether you’ve got a spacious backyard that’s looking a little barren or a small, unloved nook calling for your attention, cultivating your own garden oasis is a rewarding experience that gives back a lot more than you put in. And there’s no better season to get started than now – spring. It’s a plant-loving time when temperatures become milder, daylight hours increase, pests and weeds aren’t yet out in full force, and occasional sprinkles of rain continue to keep the soil perfectly moist for plants to get established. This also makes it an appealing time for you to celebrate the end of the gloomy winter days by soaking up some vitamin D, reconnecting with nature and transforming your outdoor space into a lush sanctuary for the long summer days ahead. Here, we’ll share the basics of gardening, from choosing the right location to selecting the right plants and how to care for them, along with our top tips for rose-tinted plant parenthood. It’s time to sow and tell!

1. It all starts with location, location, location!

If you’ve got plenty of spaces to choose from, take your time to select a plant-perfect location that will set you up for gardening success. If you want to cultivate an edible garden, go for something that gets at least six hours of sunlight daily, has good drainage, and is sheltered from strong winds and foot traffic. And if you’re starting from scratch, consider building a raised garden bed.

2. Pick your plants wisely

It’s tempting to go for one of everything, but when you’re just starting out, less is more is often the best approach. Plan to plant hardy herbs like parsley, mint and rosemary, easy-care edible greens like lettuce, silver beet, spinach or rocket and fail-safe flowers like marigolds, sunflowers, nasturtium and sweet peas.

3. Testing 1, 2, 3

Well before breaking ground, test your soil to ensure your plants have all the nutrients they’ll need to thrive. A neutral pH level of close to 7 is ideal for a vegetable garden; if this needs some work, you may need to add compost or organic matter, soil acidifier, or garden lime to get it on track. Test again until your garden is sitting comfortably within the ideal range.

4. Get equipped with the tools of the trade

Having the tools of the trade on hand will make your life much easier when it comes to things like pulling weeds, pruning, and watering your future dream garden. While you’ll accumulate gardening equipment over time, there are five essentials you’ll need to get started. Head to your local gardening supplies store and pick up a decent hand trowel, secateurs, a hand fork, good-quality gloves, and a watering can or retractable hose.

5. Ready, set, sow

Whether you’re starting from seed or with seedlings, the planting process will vary. Some seeds will need to be started in a smaller propagation tray and then transplanted into your garden, while others can happily be sown straight in situ. On the other hand, seedlings or mature plants will transform your garden instantaneously – perfect if you’re looking to boost your curb appeal, prepare your home for sale or can’t wait to see the fruits of your labour.

6. Don’t leaf it alone

Once your garden is planted, it’s time to switch to care and maintenance mode. Ideally, you’ll need to water it twice daily – morning and late evening (or set up irrigation accordingly), feed your new plants with fertiliser or compost (possibly sourced from your very own hardworking hens), regularly remove weeds, and watch out for pests like aphids, slugs, and caterpillars.

Top tips for rose-tinted plant parenthood

Becoming a budding garden enthusiast doesn’t happen overnight; it’s an ongoing journey where you’ll learn from your mistakes, adapt, and adjust, experiment with new varieties, and continue to soak up knowledge as you go. Keep these top tips for success in mind along the way:

• Start small, focusing on a few tried-and-true plants. Expand your garden repertoire as your knowledge and experience grow.
• Let patience bloom and realise that not every plant will thrive in your garden, and that’s okay. Treat every trial and error as a learning experience, and keep at it.
• You reap what you sow, so don’t expect an abundant harvest without investing time and attention in your garden.
• Stay curious. From gardening books to local groups, online courses, and knowledgeable relatives, soak up knowledge from all sorts of sources and keep learning.
• Trust the process, enjoy the ride. Wholesome, homegrown produce and beautiful blooms aside, gardening isn’t just about the end result. Caring for plants, spending time outdoors, and being absorbed in the moment are also great for your mental health!

Get gardening!

Whether you’re creating an indoor jungle or outdoor oasis, cultivating a garden is a rewarding process. You’ll not only benefit from what you produce but also from the entire journey to get there. If you’ve realised your outdoor space isn’t giving you what you need, our local First National Real Estate experts may just hold the key to your future gardening happiness. Get in touch today.