Location First

Choosing the right location before planting is crucial! I learned this the hard way during my first attempt at gardening. Back then, I spotted a large empty space near my balcony and started planting without much thought. Come summer, I discovered that the spot only got 3-4 hours of sunlight daily, which was incredibly frustrating. Would you believe it? Most plants actually need 6-8 hours of sunlight daily for healthy growth!

Let me share some insights about site selection. First, spend an entire day observing how much sunlight your intended planting area receives. The ideal location is a south-facing space, where plants can bask in sunlight. My neighbor Wang's garden faces south, and his tomatoes grow big and red, making my mouth water just looking at them.

Next, don't forget about water access. This reminds me of a funny story about a gardening novice who insisted on planting in the farthest corner of their backyard. The result? They had to drag a long hose every time they needed to water the plants, which was exhausting. Eventually, they got fed up and moved their garden closer to the water source. What a time-saver that turned out to be!

Another detail to consider when choosing a location is the terrain. I have a small slope in my backyard, and initially, I set up a vegetable patch there. During rainy days, not only did I experience serious soil erosion, but all the fertilizer washed away too. Later, I built small terraces on the slope, which made planting easier and prevented soil erosion.

The most commonly overlooked aspect of site selection is the surrounding environment. For instance, check for nearby trees. I learned this lesson the hard way - I chose a sunny spot, but when summer came and the trees grew full with leaves, my vegetable garden became shaded. Also, be sure to check for drainage pipes or underground utilities, as these can affect your planting later on.

Soil Improvement

Speaking of soil, it's truly a complex subject! It's as crucial as preparing a "granary" for your plants. I've seen many beginners fail at gardening, and about 80% of the time, it's due to soil issues. Good soil should be like a sponge cake - loose, soft, and very fertile. The first time I touched truly high-quality planting soil, it was amazing - it was loose when grabbed and had a subtle, fresh earthy scent.

I recommend testing the soil's pH level before you start planting. Different plants prefer different soil environments, just like how some people prefer sweet foods while others prefer salty ones. I didn't understand this before and planted acid-loving blueberries in alkaline soil. As you can imagine, the resulting fruits were small and overly sour, quite unpalatable.

Composting is arguably the best method for soil improvement. I've designated a composting corner in my backyard where I collect kitchen scraps, vegetable leaves, and yard waste for composting. Honestly, when I first started composting, I was worried about odors. But as long as you maintain the right ratio of materials and proper moisture levels, you barely notice any unpleasant smells during the fermentation process. After 3-4 months of fermentation, you get excellent organic fertilizer, dark and fragrant - what we gardeners call "black gold."

Besides composting, adding inorganic materials is also crucial. For instance, if your soil is very sticky, you can add river sand to improve it. My soil used to be so sticky that my shoes would sink in when it rained. After adding about 5 kg of river sand per square meter, the soil's aeration improved significantly, and plant roots grew much healthier.

Adjusting soil pH is also a technical skill. If the soil is acidic, you can add lime or eggshell powder to adjust it. Conversely, if the soil is alkaline, you can add sulfur powder or pine needles to adjust it. However, this process should be gradual - adding too much at once can be counterproductive. I've seen people eager to adjust pH levels add too much lime at once, making the soil too alkaline and preventing plants from growing well.

Another crucial point is soil depth. Different plants require different soil depths. Root vegetables, for example, need at least 30 centimeters of soil to grow well. The first time I planted radishes, they grew short and thick because the soil layer was too shallow, looking quite comical.

Proper Plant Combinations

Talking about plant combinations, this is truly an interesting topic! Good combinations not only make your garden visually appealing but also increase yields. Now when I plant tomatoes, I always plant some marigolds around them. This not only looks beautiful, but the marigolds also help repel underground pests. This companion planting method, developed by experienced gardeners, is truly ingenious!

I remember when I first started gardening, I wanted to plant many different plants at once. The result? Everything was a mess because I didn't understand the relationships between plants. Now I know better - some plants just naturally don't get along. For example, beans and onions shouldn't be planted together because onions interfere with the beans' nitrogen fixation.

When it comes to choosing plant varieties, I suggest starting with simple ones. Take my experience - my first attempt at gardening involved succulents that needed special care, and as you can guess, it was a total failure. Looking back, if I had chosen easy-to-care-for plants like pothos or spider plants, I wouldn't have lost confidence in gardening so quickly.

When combining plants, you also need to consider their growth cycles. Now I plant species with similar growing periods together, which makes management much easier. For instance, I plant lettuce and spinach together since they both have roughly two-month growing periods. This ensures their growth requirements are met and makes harvesting more convenient.

Height combination is another important factor. I usually plant tall plants like corn on the north side, so they don't shade shorter plants to the south. In my first year of gardening, I ignored this point, and tall sunflowers ended up shading my small tomatoes, resulting in very low tomato yields.

Color combinations are also important for making your garden more visually pleasing. I like to intersperse flowers among vegetables, which not only adds scenic value but also attracts pollinating insects to help with pollination. For example, I plant zinnias next to eggplants - it looks good and attracts bees for pollination.

Daily Management

Persistence is the most challenging aspect of gardening. I've seen too many people start with high enthusiasm but begin to find it troublesome after a month. Actually, gardening isn't difficult at all if you develop regular management habits.

Watering seems simple but has many considerations. It's best to water in the morning or evening when water evaporates slowly and plants absorb it better. I used to water at noon, but the sun would dry up the water before plants could absorb much. Also, water should be applied to the roots, not the leaves, to prevent many diseases.

Fertilizing is truly a technical skill. More fertilizer doesn't mean better plant growth - I almost killed my plants by being too "generous." Now I strictly follow the instructions for fertilizer amounts, preferring to use less rather than too much. I mainly use organic fertilizers now - they work more slowly but are gentler on both soil and plants.

Pruning is another crucial part of daily management. Many beginners are afraid to prune, fearing they'll harm the plants. Actually, proper pruning not only helps plants grow healthier but also increases yield. For tomatoes, for example, I regularly remove yellow leaves and side shoots so the plant can focus more energy on fruit production.

Tilling soil and weeding are also essential tasks. I turn the soil periodically to improve aeration. For weeding, I now lay down mulch or wood ash when planting, which reduces weeds and saves a lot of weeding effort.

Observation is also a vital part of daily management. I take time each day to observe plant growth and look for signs of pests or diseases. This not only helps catch problems early but also strengthens my connection with the plants. Honestly, watching plants grow day by day brings a very special sense of achievement.

Pest and Disease Prevention

Speaking of pest and disease prevention, this is a topic every gardener must face. I remember the first time I found bugs on leaves - I was terrified and rushed to buy the most expensive pesticide. Looking back now, many problems can actually be solved naturally.

Prevention is truly more important than treatment. Now when I plant, I pay special attention to spacing between plants and maintaining good airflow, which prevents many diseases. I've found that healthy plants have stronger resistance and rarely get sick. So it's essential to maintain good care routines and not be lazy.

For pest control, I now use natural methods. Soap water spray can control aphids, and scattered coffee grounds can drive away snails. I also plant pest-repelling plants like mint and marigolds. This not only controls pests but also makes the garden more beautiful.

For disease prevention, choosing resistant varieties is the simplest method. There are many improved varieties on the market now with excellent disease resistance. When I plant tomatoes, I specifically choose disease-resistant varieties - they're more expensive but much less troublesome to grow.

If you do discover pests or diseases, don't panic. Minor infestations can be handled through manual removal or plant-based pesticides. For serious cases, it's best to consult experienced gardeners or agricultural experts. Once when I encountered an unfamiliar disease, I went to the local agricultural station, and their experts were very helpful in solving the problem quickly.

Harvesting Techniques

Finally, harvest season arrives - the most anticipated moment! However, harvesting also involves many skills. Take tomatoes for example - many beginners wait until fruits are completely red before picking. Actually, you can harvest tomatoes when they start changing color and let them ripen naturally indoors, which prevents splitting and maintains good flavor.

Different vegetables have different harvesting times and methods. Leafy vegetables like lettuce are best harvested in the morning when leaves are most crisp. Use sharp tools for harvesting rather than pulling, which reduces plant damage.

Fruiting vegetables also have specific harvesting requirements. Cucumbers, for example, are best harvested in the morning or evening when they're full of moisture and taste best. Regular harvesting is important - don't let fruits stay on the vine too long, as this affects quality and future fruit production.

Always keep harvesting tools clean. I have dedicated harvesting tools that I clean after each use to prevent disease spread. Handle produce gently during harvest to avoid damage and maintain quality.

Experience Summary

Through years of exploration, I've deeply realized that gardening's most important aspect isn't technique, but mindset. You might find this surprising, but think carefully - successful gardeners share one common trait: they're willing to slow down and follow the plants' rhythm.

Failure is inevitable, but each failure is a learning opportunity. My current garden is the result of countless failures. The journey from initial confusion to current competence has taught me so much.

Gardening isn't just about growing plants; it's a lifestyle. Through gardening, I've learned patience, observation, and how to live harmoniously with nature. Every morning, seeing my plants and smelling the earth's fragrance brings such joy.

Remember, gardening requires dedication. Don't rush - give plants time and space to grow. With persistence, you'll eventually have an enviable garden. Are you ready to start your gardening journey now? Let's make life more beautiful together!