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Turn Your Thumbs Green This Spring

Wallingford Woman Gardening in Her BackyardA fresh spring garden is not only refreshing, but it also provides an invigorating experience. However, it seems like only a chosen few are gifted with a talent for making green things grow. Most of us hold to the view that a green thumb is an inherent talent — an innate gift only for certain people. There is no truth to this. Healthy spring plants are the result of careful planning, good information, and dedication. As it is, here are a few easy ways to develop your own green thumb. This will allow you to take pleasure in all of the green beauty that springtime has to offer.

If you are interested in growing spring plants, you should not be put off by a lack of experience or even 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. Just getting started? An easy place to get your green thumb started is with container gardening.

Container gardening is growing spring plants in pots, wooden boxes, and other containers. Contrary to conventional landscaping, with container gardening you can place a variety of flowering plants, vegetables, and even small trees in and around your home, patio, porch, and so on. Different heights and sizes of containers can make beautiful visual displays. Also, if you should ever move, you won’t have to worry about your plants because you can take them with you!

If you feel like you’re ready to commit to this, you’ll need a few things to get started. Make sure you get some basic supplies, the right amount of sun, and access to a water source. Mix it with a little basic gardening know-how, and you can cultivate as much of a green thumb as you wish!

Obviously, choosing the right plants to start with is also important. Some plants require less attention to keep alive, so look for plants that are recommended for beginners. You might want to consider planting pansies first, especially if you’re into colorful flowers. Pansies are hardy, resilient flowers that handle cold weather well. They do well in partially shady spots in the south, and even in the sunny areas in the northern states — pansies are capable of sustaining themselves. 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. These tend to grow well in a lot of different climates and aren’t too picky about soil conditions. Take note; always 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. This means less stress on your part to keep a close watch on them throughout the growing season.

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, don’t just dive into it without creating a plan. Map out the details of when and where to expand. When planning, think about what resources and tools you have available, what you might need to buy, and what kind of plants will thrive in your climate. Take into account your area and choose varieties that are a good fit for your location. This is key to growing green and healthy plants. Plants differ in what they need, but 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 could be both easy and fulfilling. With careful thought and preparation, you could be a few steps away from enjoying the fresh greenery of the season, all-around your home.

At Real Property Management Southern Connecticut, we can help you find the perfect Wallingford rental home for you and your plants. View our available rentals and give us a call at 203-821-7303 to schedule a showing today.

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