Gardening Basics
1. Soil Preparation Fundamentals
Healthy soil is the foundation of any successful garden. Follow these key steps:
Soil Type
Characteristics
Best Plants
Amendments Needed
Clay
Dense, slow-draining
Daylilies, Hostas
Compost, Perlite
Sandy
Fast-draining, low nutrients
Carrots, Lavender
Peat Moss, Manure
Loam
Ideal texture
Most vegetables
Annual compost
How to Test Your Soil
Use a pH testing kit (ideal range: 6.0-7.0 for most plants)
Check drainage by digging a 12″ hole and filling with water
Observe earthworm activity (5+ per sq ft indicates healthy soil)
2. Watering Systems Compared
Method
Pros
Cons
Best For
Hand Watering
Precise control
Time-consuming
Small gardens
Drip Irrigation
Water-efficient
Installation cost
Vegetable beds
Sprinklers
Large coverage
Water waste
Lawns
3. Essential Gardening Tools
Tool
Purpose
Price Range
Lifespan
Trowel
Planting small plants
$10-$30
5+ years
Pruners
Trimming stems
$15-$50
3-5 years
Garden Fork
Turning soil
$25-$80
10+ years
4. Seasonal Maintenance Checklist
Season
Tasks
Key Plants
Spring
Soil prep, early planting
Lettuce, Peas
Summer
Watering, pest control
Tomatoes, Zucchini
Fall
Bulb planting, cleanup
Garlic, Tulips
5. Common Problems & Solutions
Issue
Signs
Organic Solution
Aphids
Sticky leaves, curling
Neem oil spray
Powdery Mildew
White powder on leaves
Milk-water solution
Gardening Basics By mastering these gardening basics – from soil preparation to seasonal care – you’ll be harvesting your own homegrown produce in no time. Bookmark this guide and refer to our tables whenever you need quick answers!
