Starting a garden from scratch can seem daunting if you've never done it before. The truth is, it can be a deceptively easy and highly rewarding experience. For the most part, all you need are some gardening tools and good planning. Here are the basics to help you get started.

5 Simple Steps to Creating a Home Garden

1. Choose Your Location

First and foremost, ensure that your chosen garden spot gets at least 6 to 10 hours of direct sun exposure each day. Otherwise, sunlight filtered through trees or fencing will stunt the growth of the plants. If you have a large yard, consider starting small. On the other hand, try container gardening if your outdoor space is undersized.

2. Get the Right Tools

You don't need many gardening tools to get started, but there are a few essentials. A sturdy pair of yard gloves should be your first purchase; these will protect the hands from thorns, stones, and insects. 

A small hand spade and a standard-sized rake will also help with gardening. These items help you move soil and remove debris. You should also have a suitable hose, a nozzle with multiple spray settings, and a watering can.

3. Focus on Good Soil

Many plants can deal with shady conditions or survive periods of drought. However, they won't grow at all without the nutrients the earth provides them. If you're starting with a new plot of land, till the ground and mix in fresh compost or soil. You can also buy a special potting product for container gardens. The healthier your soil, the better the condition of your garden.

4. Have a Watering Plan

A simple soaker hose or drip irrigation system can be affordable and save you a lot of work, but watering manually by can or hose will suffice. Ideally, you should deeply water plants two to three times per week, depending on the season and climate. Adding mulch around the vegetation can help retain moisture and control weeds. You can also attach a timer to an outdoor spigot as a reminder to keep a firm watering schedule.

5. Plant and Thin

If you're unsure how deep to plant seeds, check the back of the packet for instructions. Water them well and keep them moist. Most will need to remain in warm, sunny spots until they germinate. Once they have started to develop, you'll need to thin some of the weaker plants to provide the stronger ones with more room to grow.

If you want to start growing and need gardening tools, head to the Farmers Cooperative Inc. in Live Oak, FL. For over 76 years, this hardware store has provided customers throughout Suwannee and Madison counties with various materials suitable for all yard-related projects. Visit their website for a full selection of their products, or call (386) 362-1459 to ask about their inventory.