For many novice gardeners, a rented garden plot is the best way to get started. Not only is the plot usually pre-marked and ready for planting, it gives you the benefit of having a vegetable garden without having to commit to breaking up soil in your yard. If you've never had a garden before, you may not be sure where to start with renting a plot and planting. Here's a look at some tips to help you get things going.
Choosing Your Garden Plot
The first thing you need to do is select a plot for your garden. If you have multiple community garden areas near you, it means evaluating your choices. Look for a plot that's near your home whenever possible. This makes it easier for you to get there and tend to your plants on a regular basis, and it also ensures that you're more likely to swing by there to pick fresh produce for your meals.
If you have the freedom to choose your site, consider what you're going to grow and how much sun it needs. Nothing's worse than picking a plot that gets moderate sunlight only to plant things that require lots of sun. Plan out what you want to grow in advance and make sure you know what kind of sunlight requirements each one has.
Finally, make sure that the facility you choose has easy access to water for each plot. Few things discourage a new gardener like having to haul water some distance to get to the garden plot, especially during a particularly hot summer.
Selecting What You'll Grow
When you're planning out what you're going to grow, be practical. Only grow things that you and your family will actually eat. Think about the things that grow where you are as well. This is important when you're planning any kind of garden because you need to consider your climate and planting zone. You can find out about your planting zone from local gardening resources or even from the representative at the community garden.
Evaluate The Soil
You need good quality soil to produce good quality plants. Make sure the soil mixture is loamy and drains well. You'll also want to incorporate some organic matter to help add nutrients. Many community gardens offer compost or manure that you can use to help add nutrients to the soil, so ask about the possibility. If there's compost, you can even add any lost growth to the compost pile to help give back to other gardeners.
