5 Gardening tips for Beginners

As a beginner in gardening, there are just so many questions in our minds; many tabs open on our browsers looking for the best tips for our plants, and why not? We would walk an extra mile for those we love, won’t we? Here are some tips that you can find helpful as a gardening beginner.

1. Germinate seeds in Tissue Paper instead of soil

You should use tissue paper to germinate seeds instead of sowing them directly in the soil. It is because the soil can have pathogens that may hinder the process. Using tissue paper reduces the chances of such infections and boosts the viability rate of seeds. You can also observe your seedlings grow with the help of this method. Place some seeds in a layer of tissue paper, cover it with another layer and sprinkle some water on it. In about 3-5 days, they will start sprouting.

2. Pruning

Pruning is essentially trimming a few parts of plants to boost their growth. It’s like giving a haircut to your plants, making them look aesthetic. But that’s not all. When seedlings start shooting up the soil, it usually spreads into multiple branches- small and big. It can put stress on the plant as it has to channel its nutrients in as many twigs. Pruning helps plants control their growth. It also reduces infestations of insects and the chances of plant-related diseases.

3. Yellowing of Leaves

You might notice that some of your plant’s leaves have started turning yellow. It’s a sign that the plant needs your help. Yellowing of leaves (Chlorosis) is mostly because of underwatering or overwatering. You can resolve this problem by providing the right amount of water. You can find the balance in two ways. Firstly, check with your finger if the soil sticks to it or not. If it does, It doesn’t need watering. The other way is by waiting for the leaves to droop. The dropping of leaves is a sign that plants need water. Using this method will essentially help you find the right frequency of watering your plants.

Soil-related problems can also lead to Chlorosis. If the soil is not porous and starts holding water, or if there is a drainage issue, leaves/stems can turn yellow. Use well-draining soil and check for any blockage around the drainage hole. Mix the top 1-inch of soil, once in a while, with a trowel or 'khurpi' for aeration to the soil.

4. Fertilizer- compost

Fertilizing the soil is necessary as it is what provides the nutrients to the plants. As plants grow, they exhaust the nutrient resource in the soil. They require more nutrients for survival and further development. You can use Seaweed Solution as it contains the essential nutrients for plants. Just add 20 ml of it in 5 liters of water and add it to the soil. You can also use compost or ‘khaad’, which you can produce from the kitchen waste. Chemical fertilizers are also an option. However, we do not recommend it as it harms the soil in the longer run.

Related Video: How to make compost at home?

5. Soil mix

We have seen many people buying soil for gardening. However, it’s not mandatory to do so. You can prepare a soil mix for all kinds of plants using the regular garden soil, cocopeat, and vermicompost in equal proportions. The garden soil gives structure to the mixture, while vermicompost is a great source of nutrients for the plants. Cocopeat helps the mix to retain moisture. You can also add perlite to the mix for better drainage and providing aeration to the roots. Only add a small quantity of it to the soil, about half the amount of garden soil.

We hope you found this article helpful. You can visit our Youtube channel for more videos on gardening. Also, you can check out our Garden Up Store for an exclusive collection of aesthetic planters and Home decor products.