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Turn Your Thumbs Green This Spring

Gainesville Woman Gardening in Her BackyardFresh spring gardens are always a wonder to behold. But, unfortunately, not too many people are good at making green things grow. It’s a common belief that a green thumb is an inherent talent — something that you’re born with. That’s not completely true. Healthy spring plants are the result of careful planning, good information, and dedication. Allow us to suggest a few easy ways to develop your own green thumb so that you can delight in the green beauty that springtime has to offer.

If you think growing spring plants is worth your time, maybe you should try investing in it. Don’t be put off by a lack of experience, or a lack of garden space. A lot of hard work isn’t even necessary, neither is spending a lot of money, just to grow beautiful spring plants in your backyard. Container gardening is an easy place to get you and your green thumb started, especially if you have little to no experience.

Container gardening is growing spring plants in pots, wooden boxes, and other containers. Not quite like standard landscaping, with container gardening, you can place a variety of flowering plants, vegetables, and even small trees in and around your home, patio, porch. You can pretty much place them anywhere you want. Different heights and sizes of containers can make beautiful visual displays. And, these plants are so handy, because if you should ever move, you can always pack them and take them with you.

To get started, you won’t need much for your new venture into container gardening. Just get some basic supplies, the right amount of sun, and access to a water source. Use what you already know with a little basic gardening know-how and watch how you can cultivate as much of a green thumb as you please.

Clearly, choosing the right plants to start with is also important. Some plants are a bit less challenging to maintain than others, so look for plants that are recommended for beginners. For instance, planting pansies first might be a good suggestion for starters. Pansies are hardy, resilient flowers that handle cold weather well. They thrive in the sunny areas of the northern states, and in the partially shady spots in the south. Even if they don’t require too much care, beautiful spring flowers need to be fed and watered on a regular basis. If you stick to a routine of doing so, you’ll be seeing those beauties bloom right away.

Flowers are not the only easy plants for new gardeners to grow. If you like fresh herbs, consider growing basil or mint. Both basil and mint are really easy to grow and maintain and mature quickly. As a matter of fact, because mint develops quickly, it can often be invasive if left alone. This is why it works particularly well for container gardening or for areas of the yard edged by walkways or driveways.

If you want to try growing vegetables, start with low-maintenance plants like onions, lettuce, or beans. With a tendency to grow well in a lot of different climates and aren’t too picky about soil conditions, these selections are a good choice. It’s wise to buy seedlings instead of seeds to get your plants going. Seedlings are good for beginners because they are already acclimated to the growing conditions of your area. So, throughout the growing season, you have a better chance of keeping them from dying.

Once you are ready to branch out a little, start adding to your spring garden a plant or two at a time. Trying to go too big or do too much is a recipe for failure. So, create a plan and a timeline as to when and where to expand. This helps you avoid any unnecessary mistakes in the long run. Throughout the process of preparing, review what resources and tools you have available, what you might need to buy, and what kind of plants will thrive in your climate. Always remember to study your chosen location — this allows you to choose varieties that are a good fit for your area, leading to the growth of green and healthy plants. The diversity in plants speaks of the different needs they have. Make no mistake though, they all need the right nutrients and temperature to survive. Native plants are more likely to thrive since they are uniquely suited to certain climates.

Developing a green thumb this spring can be easy, and your efforts would be rewarded. Organize your thoughts and stick to your game plan; this could be the start of your very own green thumb, where you get to enjoy the fresh greenery of the season, all-around your home.

At Real Property Management Stellar, we can help you find the perfect Gainesville rental home for you and your plants. View our available rentals and give us a call at 706-864-5456 to schedule a showing today.

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