This past year has taught us a lot about ourselves and what we need most, especially when it comes to the home. From work-life to home life balance, people all over the world have shifted their priorities and started focusing more on what is truly important. It doesn’t require making huge life changes to realize what passions and creative projects are waiting to be brought to life. There are so many ways that we can engage more with life, and by allowing yourself to embrace life and your DIY projects, you will be well on your way to engaging with all of your passions in a much more hands on way. Planting a garden is a great way to give back to life and to give back to yourself. By putting in the hard work now, you not only reap the benefits later, but it feels good in the process! Gardening is extremely grounding, and is helpful in many different areas in life, such as reducing stress and getting a healthy dose of vitamin D. With gardening bringing so many great benefits, you may be wondering how you can start? Thankfully, starting a garden only requires a few basic skills, tools, and knowledge. So let’s get digging!

Growing your own oasis is an easy and fun process, but it helps to brush up on your knowledge and do some research before you start. The dreams of walking into your own garden and enjoying the rich and organic flavors of different fruits and vegetables can be your reality. There are so many different seeds you can grow, ranging from spicy peppers to full-bodied tomatoes, herbs, flowers, and fruits, and it all starts here! From the tools you need, to the space in which you choose to start your garden, every part of the process requires some thought which helps make this creative project into a passion.

the basics

ESSENTIAL GARDENING TOOLS

When starting a garden, it can be overwhelming when you realize how many tools there are, especially if this is your first time. A good starting point would be to narrow down what you want to grow and where. This will help you determine which tools you need, based on the space you have. There are many tools for gardening, one for everything you might say. But, there are tools that we will share with you in this article that not only can be used for beginners, but have multiple purposes which will save you time, money and space.

ROUND HEAD SHOVEL

When looking for a shovel, the round head shovel is a good place to start. If you are planning on planting your garden in a planter box, or right in the ground, this will be the perfect size and won’t hurt your pocket.

GARDENING GLOVES

This was probably one of the first tools on your list to purchase, and you were right! There are many different types of gardening gloves and you will need to base your decision on the type of gardening you intend to do. For instance, if you are growing a rose garden, you may want to look for sturdier, longer gloves that protect against the prickly thorns of the roses.

BOW RAKE

If you have a larger garden, the bow rake is a good tool to have on deck. Bow rake is mostly used for dealing with soil, however, it can be used for a wide range of tasks including spreading or breaking up soil and mulch or to rake up leaves.

PRUNING SHEARS

Pruning shears are a gardeners best friend. Steel pruning shears are the best as they are capable of trimming your plants in one clean cut. When looking for shears you will want to focus on the durability of the product along with the comfort of your hand and sharpness of the steel.

HAND CULTIVATOR

The hand cultivator, otherwise known as the hand rake, can be used for many tasks including clearing leaves, digging out weeds, turning the soil, and breaking up dirt. They also come in handy when mixing in compost to your soil, or when working in small spaces.

GARDEN HOSE

Last but not least, water your plants! As you are looking for a hose that works for you, always look for one that is sturdy and long enough to reach your entire garden. For those of you with a small kitchen garden it may be easier to stick with a watering container.

digging in

SOILS, COMPOST AND FERTILIZERS

When it comes to planting your garden, you want to make sure your plants are not only getting the right nutrients but in the right amount. There are many different types of potting soils to choose from when starting your garden and you can’t really go wrong when selecting one. The main purpose of soil is to provide what plants need to survive, however, there is not a whole lot of nutrients in soil alone, which is where compost and fertilizers come into play. Compost, otherwise known as “black gold” to most gardeners, is composed of various decaying organic substances such as manure, dead leaves orvegetable scraps, which is then stored in bins and mixed together. Compost can be used for your vegetable garden or flower garden, and while it is the preferred natural fertilizer to most serious gardeners, it requires much more time and effort to make unlike store bought fertilizers. Fertilizers are composed of natural and synthetic materials which include manure, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It is used by spreading or mixing into the soil to help support plant growth while adding nutrients. There are many different types of fertilizers including fast-release fertilizers to instantly provide nutrients, or slow-release fertilizers that nourish over an extended period of time. When deciding whether to use fertilizers or compost in your garden, time will be the biggest factor. Overall, compost is natures best fertilizer, however it can take months to make and the aroma may not be the most pleasing. Fertilizers on the other hand are easy to find at your local nursery and work to target your plants specific needs.

plant the seed

DIRECT SEEDING, TRANSPLANTS, SEED TYPES

There are a wide variety of seeds or sprouted seedlings that you can choose from when selecting which plants you want to grow. Whether you are planting veggies or flowers, you have the option to purchase transplants (potted seedlings) or seeds for planting directly into the soil. There are certain plants that thrive when planted by seed, such as beans, spinach, and beets. While other plants are best when transplanted, such as celery, eggplant and kale. Make sure to do your research when you are planning out your garden as the way in which you plant your garden will have an impact on its survival rate.

Direct seeding is the most cost effective when it comes to getting started. You also have a wider range of flowers, plants and veggies to choose from as you are not limited to your local garden center. When direct seeding, you run the risk of weather hazards, as your plant will have to withstand wind, dry weather, or heat in its very early stages. You also want to be sure to thin out the seedlings and pull a few of the plants out as they sprout to create space between each plant. If you fail to do this your plants may become crowded and will start to compete for light water and nutrients.

Transplanting give your more control and predictable results as the plant will mature faster and give you an earlier harvest. Baby plants are also more resistant to pests and are stronger because they are more mature. Be careful not to introduce weeds and diseases to your garden when transplanting as there is a higher chance that you may grow weeds along with the plant purchased. Also, make sure to expose your transplants to dryer conditions and cooler temperatures prior to planting to prevent your plants from going into shock.

In addition to the seeds and transplant options, you will also want to consider the types of plants you want and the best season and environments for them. There are two main types of plants, annual and perennial. Both plants follow the same growth cycle, however annuals complete that cycle in one season whereas perennials may live on for 2-5 years. Annuals are best when you are beginning, especially if you are unsure of what you would like to grow. These plants mature much more quickly and requires less commitment, taking one year at a time. Perennials typically bloom for one season, but come back year after year. They tend to be more expensive, but are a good long-term investment for your gardening needs.

get growing

PLANTS THAT GROW IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

STRAWBERRIES

BLACKBERRIES

CUCUMBERS

TOMATOES

GARLIC

KALE

CABBAGE

ROSEMARY

Growing your garden can be an exciting new way to start this year. By putting more effort and energy into the things that inspire you most you will better yourself and your curb appeal! Imagine walking into your lush green garden, it’s spring, and the smell of lavender surrounds you, bright orange poppies wave at you in the slight breeze, and ripe tomatoes hang from the vines, just waiting to be picked. It all starts here. It’s time to get our hands dirty and start from the ground up! And remember, the secret to a green thumb is simple: engage with life and life will engage with us.

– LIV Sotheby’s International Realty