Gardening tips for beginners

Pick the right location
Are your plants close to the water supply? How’s the drainage? Is there enough sunlight? Take these things into consideration and you could save yourself some serious heartache.
 
Timing is key
Make sure to plant your seeds at the right time of year. Don’t begin planting too early. A good rule of thumb is that new seedlings like a lot of light, about 12 hours. Read the seed package and you’ll know when the best time to plant is.
 
Plant for the whole year
The sign of a great garden is when there is something decorative on display no matter what the season. Choose a variety of plants that blossom at different times of the year, so you will always have a garden full of life.
 
Keep garden tools clean
Soil on your tools can harbour plant-killing microbes so it’s best to give them a bit of a clean every now and then. We are loving these gardening tools from Orla Kiely and with gorgeous tools like these, you’ll be happy to keep them clean. The Orla Kiely trowel (€34.95) and gardening fork (€24.95) are available at the Kilkenny Shop.
 
Water deeply
Watering is very important during the summer, especially if the weather is hot (not that this is likely to be the case in Ireland). If you fail to water your plants enough, the roots will stay near the surface, and will be affected by the heat. A rule of thumb is that your plants should get an inch of water a week. Water deeply so the roots dig deeper.
 
Pest control
Make sure you keep a close eye on pests in your garden so you can take quick action. Roses are particularly prone to pests like aphids and mildew. If you are concerned about larger pests, such as rabbits, summer is a good time to apply pepper wax to keep them away.
 
Always wear gloves
Gardening is tough on the hands, and if you don’t want rough skin with damaged nails, wear gloves. You may also find the idea of encountering worms and bugs a little unpleasant, so gloves will ensure you won’t be touching them.
 
Mulch is a gardeners best friend
If you are new to gardening, you may have never heard of Mulch. Well this is the best thing for your plants. It’s basically the blanket for your garden. It can be compost or stones. It keeps in water, keeps the temperature even, keeps bugs away, keeps soil healthy and if it used in the right way, can add a polished touch to your garden.
 
Don’t be too neat with digging
A messy hole will encourage your plants to take root. If your hole is too neat, the roots won’t spread as they are supposed to.
 
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