If you have never started your own garden before, it is a very rewarding experience to nurture some plants and see them thrive. But if you are completely inexperienced in this area, it is worth getting the basics sorted before you actually plant anything. Essentially, plants need a few basic things to grow and you need to create an environment which is perfect for them. So, here are the essential factors that plants require.
Water and Nutrients
Taking care of your garden is a job that requires continuous effort and you need to make sure that they have enough water to carry moisture backwards and forwards from the roots to the leaves. Both water and nutrients are taken up from the soil which is why it is so important that plants are watered when the soil becomes dry. An automatic watering system with water sprinklers will help you a lot when you are too busy or travel for long periods of time. Different fertiliser can also be provided to plants to give them extra nutrients including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
Air and Soil
Besides water and nutrients, plants also need clean air and healthy soil to grow well. Dirty air is caused by smoke, gases and other pollutants as this limits their ability to take in carbon dioxide. Though the air quality is difficult to control, what you can influence is the soil. Depending on the type of plants you are growing, you can get various forms of compost to help them along the way - acid-loving plants thrive with ericaceous compost. Getting this right to start off with can really provide a major boost to your garden.
Light and Temperature
Obviously, most plants need plenty of sunlight to grow, so you should make sure that your garden is positioned in a location that allows them to get this. If your plants get too little light, they won’t be able to properly complete photosynthesis, making them look weaker and they will also have fewer flowers and fruits. Temperature is another very important factor as the majority of plants tend to prefer it to be cool at night and warm during the day. If they are too hot, there is a risk of them burning and if they are too cold, they are at risk of freezing.
Space and Time
When you are planting your garden, you need to consider space as one of the biggest factors. Both the roots and the foliage need plenty of room to grow or they are likely to become small and stunted. If plants are overcrowded, they are also more likely to suffer from various diseases since their airflow is likely to be limited. And last but not least, plants require time to grow so you will need to be patient. How much time really depends on what sort of plants you are growing. This really does vary from days, weeks, months or even years.
Ultimately, these are the basics of what you will need to give plants, but the specifics vary depending on what type of plants you are planning to grow in your garden.
