Choosing the Location

As a gardening novice, I deeply understand the importance of choosing the right location. I remember my first attempt at planting, when I completely overlooked the crucial factor of sunlight exposure. The tomato plants I eagerly planted turned out spindly and weak, with yellowing leaves and minimal fruit. Only after consulting with experienced gardeners did I learn that my chosen location only received 3-4 hours of sunlight, far from enough for plant growth.

Through this painful lesson, I realized that most vegetables and flowers are "sun lovers," requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for robust growth. Now, whenever I want to plant in a new location, I pay special attention to observing sunlight conditions. I use my phone to record the sunlight patterns during different times - morning, noon, and afternoon. Through multiple experiments, I've found that the golden period between 8 AM and 4 PM is particularly crucial for sunlight exposure.

Choosing a south-facing planting area is usually the safest option. My south-facing balcony is an excellent planting spot, with abundant but not excessive sunlight. However, it's important to note that even with southern exposure, you need to watch out for potential shade from nearby tall buildings or trees. I've seen friends with south-facing spaces struggle due to large trees blocking the sunlight, resulting in less than ideal light conditions.

Planning and Design

After determining the planting location, scientific planning and design are equally important. Now, whenever I start a new planting project, I first take out an A4 paper to carefully draw a floor plan. On the plan, I mark each area's size, light intensity, and the types of crops I intend to plant. This planning not only makes the entire garden look orderly but more importantly helps avoid common planting mistakes.

Speaking of planning, let me share one of my lessons learned. Once, I excitedly bought many different varieties of vegetable seeds, thinking more would be better. However, because I didn't plan the spacing between plants in advance, the mature plants ended up blocking each other, competing for nutrients and sunlight, ultimately affecting both yield and quality. Now I always ensure adequate growing space based on each plant's growth characteristics. For example, tomatoes need at least 50 centimeters between plants, while lettuce can be planted more closely together.

Water accessibility is also a crucial planning consideration. I made a major mistake with my first vegetable garden - setting up the planting area 20 meters away from the water source for the sake of tranquility. As a result, I had to drag heavy water hoses across half the yard every time I watered, which was particularly challenging during summer. Later, I installed several additional water taps in the yard and added a simple drip irrigation system. Although the initial investment was slightly higher, the time and energy saved were absolutely worth it.

During the planning phase, I also pay special attention to zoning the planting areas. I place vegetables that need frequent attention in easily accessible locations, while perennial plants that don't require frequent care can be arranged in more distant positions. I also consider the mutually beneficial relationships between plants. For example, I plant marigolds next to tomatoes to help repel pests, and corn near legumes for mutual support and improved land utilization.

Building the Soil

When it comes to key factors for successful planting, soil definitely takes top priority. I often tell gardening beginners that good soil is like a "Michelin three-star meal" for plants, providing comprehensive nutritional support. Through repeated experiments, I've found that the optimal soil pH for most plants is between 6.5-7.0. Testing soil acidity is actually quite simple - you can get it done with a basic soil testing meter from a garden store.

There are many ways to improve soil, but I most recommend using compost. When I first started gardening, I spent money on specialized organic fertilizers, but later discovered I could make better compost at home. I've developed a habit of collecting kitchen waste - fruit peels, vegetable leaves, and coffee grounds that seem useless are actually great materials for making quality compost.

Making compost is also an interesting process. I've dedicated a space in my backyard for composting and built a simple compost bin with wooden boards. Each day, I add collected kitchen waste along with some dried branches and leaves, maintain proper moisture, and after a few months, I get black, earth-scented quality compost. This homemade compost not only improves soil structure but also provides rich organic matter and trace elements for plants.

Soil improvement is a gradual process. My current method is: before planting new crops, I mix in some compost, then add worm castings and bone meal to ensure adequate soil nutrients. Vegetables grown in such carefully improved soil not only yield well but taste particularly good.

Daily Maintenance

Garden maintenance can be both complex and simple - the key is establishing a scientific maintenance system. Through years of exploration, I've developed an effective set of maintenance methods.

First is watering, which is quite sophisticated. When I started, I was always worried about plants lacking water and would water immediately whenever the soil surface looked slightly dry, which actually affected plant growth. Later, I learned the method of "observing leaves for water needs": checking plant leaf conditions morning and evening - if leaves start to droop slightly, it's time to water. When watering, water thoroughly to encourage root growth downward and enhance drought resistance.

Pest control is another important topic. I now spend time each week carefully checking plant growth conditions, paying special attention to leaf undersides where many pests like to hide. When I find aphids, I treat them with homemade soap spray. The recipe is simple: diluted dish soap with a bit of cooking oil, sprayed on plants effectively controls aphids without harming plants or the environment.

Pruning work can't be neglected either. My roses are a good example. Initially, I didn't understand the importance of pruning and let branches grow wild, resulting in fewer flowers and frequent diseases. Later, I learned proper pruning methods: regularly removing overcrowded branches to maintain good ventilation; promptly removing withered flowers to promote new bud formation. Through standardized pruning management, my roses now bloom year-round and look beautiful.

Fertilizing is also a key part of maintenance. I follow the principle of "small amounts, frequent meals," applying light fertilizer every two weeks rather than heavy amounts at once. When fertilizing, I pay special attention to different growth stage requirements. For example, during vegetative growth, I use nitrogen-rich fertilizers; during flowering and fruiting, I switch to potassium-rich fertilizers.

Sustainable Planting

As my gardening experience accumulates, I increasingly value sustainable development concepts. Growing perennial plants is a great choice. For example, I planted several raspberry bushes in a corner of the garden - although it required some initial time and effort to establish the support system, once established, they provide fresh berries every year.

I've also tried some innovative planting methods. For instance, using crop rotation, planting different types of crops alternately in the same plot, which fully utilizes different soil nutrients and prevents pest accumulation. Rotating legumes with leafy vegetables is a great combination, as legumes fix nitrogen, providing abundant nitrogen nutrients for the following leaf crops.

Using mulch is another important discovery. I use grass clippings and fallen leaves from the yard as natural mulch. These materials not only retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth but also provide organic matter as they slowly decompose. After using mulch, I've noticed significantly reduced weeding work and better soil water retention.

Safety Protection

While gardening is full of joy, safety protection cannot be ignored. I always remind myself to make adequate preparations before starting work. First is wearing appropriate protective equipment, such as non-slip gardening shoes, sturdy gloves, and safety glasses when pruning is needed.

Working posture is also important. I've developed a habit of taking regular breaks, resting for ten minutes every hour of work, and moving around. Especially for work requiring prolonged bending, I use a gardening knee pad to effectively reduce pressure on knees and back.

Safe tool use is equally important. I regularly inspect and maintain various gardening tools to ensure they stay sharp and clean. Tools are always cleaned promptly after use and coated with rust-preventive oil, which not only extends tool life but also prevents safety hazards from rust.

Tool Storage

Speaking of tool management, this is another aspect I've continually improved in my gardening journey. I installed a tool storage rack on my garage wall, organizing tools by frequency of use and type. Frequently used tools like shovels and scissors are placed in easily accessible positions, while seasonal tools can be stored higher up.

To facilitate post-harvest processing, I built a simple workbench in the backyard. The workbench is equipped with a sink for washing freshly picked vegetables and fruits. The bench surface has grooves around the edges to collect washing water for watering nearby plants, achieving water resource recycling.

Seed storage is also an art. I use sealed glass jars to store various seeds, each labeled with the variety and collection date. These seed jars are stored in a dedicated cabinet, kept cool and dry. I regularly check seed storage conditions to ensure they don't get damp or moldy.

Gardening is truly an incredibly happy and fulfilling activity. Through these years of practice, I've not only harvested my own fresh vegetables and fruits but more importantly cultivated a love and patience for life. Watching plants slowly grow, flower, and fruit each day brings an indescribable sense of achievement. If you want to try gardening, start with these basics. Believe that with dedicated care, you'll definitely find your own gardening joy.