How do I master plant basics and needs?

# Understand Sun, Soil, Water, and Easy Plants Plants need **6-8 hours of direct sun** daily (leafy greens need 6, fruits/veggies 8). Test soil pH (ideal 6.0-7.2) using a kit from extension services. Water 1 inch/week at soil level. Start with easy crops: radishes (21 days), lettuce, beans, cherry tomatoes, carrots. Read university guides: - [NC State Vegetable Gardening](https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/home-vegetable-gardening-a-quick-reference-guide) - [Wisconsin Horticulture Basics](https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/beginning-vegetable-garden-basics-site-selection-and-soil-preparation) Note your climate zone and season.

How do I select and plan your garden site?

# Choose Location and Sketch Plan Pick flat, sunny spot (avoid trees, low frost pockets, walnut trees). Near water source. Size: 4x8 ft for beginners. **Plan layout:** Sketch on paper: tall plants north, succession planting (stagger seeds 1-2 weeks), crop rotation. Containers/raised beds for poor soil. Use graph paper. Include paths (3 ft wide).

How do I prepare soil and build simple beds?

# Soil Prep and Raised Beds Clear grass with shovel/cardboard smothering (2-3 weeks). Add 2-3 inches compost. Till/shovel in. pH adjust if needed (lime for acid, sulfur for alkaline). **Build raised bed:** 4x4x1 ft wood/PVC. Fill with 1/3 compost, 1/3 topsoil, 1/3 vermiculite mix. Avoid garden soil in containers.

How do I plant your first crops?

# Seeds vs Transplants Direct sow: radishes, carrots (2-3x seed diameter deep). Transplants: tomatoes (acclimate 2-3 days shade). Space per labels (airflow key). Mulch 2 inches organic. Start small: 4 tomatoes, row lettuce, bush beans.

How do I maintain, harvest, and learn?

# Water, Weed, Pest Control Water soil deeply 1-2x/week. Weed weekly. Scout pests (handpick slugs, use row covers). Fertilize lightly per soil test. **Harvest:** Pick peaks (lettuce outer leaves, radishes pull). Save seeds from healthy plants. Extend: hoop house for season.

Learn Gardening Basics: Start Your First Garden

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Step-by-Step Guide

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Understand Sun, Soil, Water, and Easy Plants

Plants need 6-8 hours of direct sun daily (leafy greens need 6, fruits/veggies 8). Test soil pH (ideal 6.0-7.2) using a kit from extension services. Water 1 inch/week at soil level. Start with easy crops: radishes (21 days), lettuce, beans, cherry tomatoes, carrots.

Read university guides:

Note your climate zone and season.

Why this step matters:

-Establishes core knowledge to choose right plants and avoid failures
-Enables healthy growth for first successful harvests

1-2 hours

Notebook for notes, Soil test kit, Smartphone for guides

$0-$20

Definition of Done

•Explain sun, soil, water needs in own words
•List 5 beginner-friendly plants with harvest times

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Ignoring sunlight requirements

→Observe potential sites from morning to evening

❌ Skipping soil testing

→Get free/cheap kit from local extension office

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Learning Resources

📖 Online Courses

Garden Tutor FREE Online Gardening Course

beginner

Garden Tutor

Free Online Food Growing Course

beginner

Thrive

Alison Free Online Gardening Courses

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Alison

📖 Recommended Books

The Vegetable Gardener's Bible, 2nd Edition

beginner

by Edward C. Smith

The Old Farmer's Almanac Vegetable Gardener's Handbook

beginner

by The Old Farmer's Almanac

🌐 Helpful Websites

NC State Vegetable Gardening Guide

documentation

Step-by-step beginner reference from university extension

Wisconsin Beginning Vegetable Garden Basics

documentation

Site and soil prep essentials

USU Extension Gardening Basics

documentation

How-to guides on starting, pruning, watering

🛠️ Useful Tools

Garden Trowel

Hand Tools

Paid

Essential for planting seeds and transplants

Soil Test Kit

Testing

Paid

Checks pH and nutrients for proper amendments

Drip Irrigation Kit

Irrigation

Paid

Efficient watering to conserve water

Learn Gardening Basics: Start Your First Garden