Experienced gardeners have shared their top tips for beginners just getting started – and it doesn't cost you a thing.
She explained that this tip helped her save money when she first started gardening.
Gardening expert Alexandra Campbell shared her tips and tricks with US Sun for beginners. Credit: Alexandra Campbell
Alexandra Campbell (@themiddlesizedgarden) shared her gardening advice with The US Sun.
The YouTuber explained that beginners don't need much, just motivation and perseverance.
“The best advice I was given when I first started gardening was, 'Just pull out the weeds and mulch,'” she says.
“Walk around your outdoor space and learn what weeds are and how to get rid of them.”
She encouraged them to take steps to learn the basics of gardening, which she said will pay big dividends in the future.
“If you can pay a professional gardener for a few hours to teach you how to weed, that's a good investment,” she explained.
“Or ask a friend who gardens to show you.
“Hand weeding is the most effective and allows you to get to know your garden up close and personal.
“Then add a layer of mulch, such as garden compost, mushroom compost, bark chips, well-composted manure or a straw product, on top of the bare soil.”
Ensuring that the soil is prepared before you put anything in the ground will prevent unnecessary expense and unnecessary spending if your plants die.
I'm a professional gardener and I hate all those mommy trends on Facebook – they're far from “beautiful”.
“Don't spend money on plants until you've weeded and soiled the entire garden from one side to the other!” says Campbell.
“If you have a bad back or other disability, you can often only work a few square feet at a time. That adds up to a big impact.”
Mr Campbell urged gardeners not to be discouraged if weeds start to grow back.
“The weeds always come back, even with sprays and membranes,” she says.
Easy gardening tips to save money, maximize space and repel pests
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Banana peels, vinegar, and coffee grounds are often recommended as natural fertilizers. Dollar Tree sells a four-pack of seeds for $1.25. To make the most of a small space, try a vertical planter like Amazon's Mr. Stacky 5 Tier Stackable Planter ($35). To keep vegetable-eating bugs at bay, use netting like Amazon's Garden Netting Pest Barrier ($8). Try sacrificial planting to reduce pesticide use and keep pests out of your garden. Intentionally growing certain plants to attract agricultural pests can help keep them away from the plants you want to protect. Examples include marigolds, lavender, catnip, and chives. For pesky weeds in your garden, Amazon's Grampa's Weeder – The Original Stand-Up Weed Puller Tool with Long Handles ($45) is a handy tool. You don't have to bend over to use it.
“There is no outdoor surface that weeds won't grow on, and weeds will grow on artificial turf as well.”
The trick, she explains, is to accept that weeding is just part of the everyday gardening routine.
“Maintaining a garden is like maintaining a house. You're always dusting and mopping the kitchen floor, but when you're weeding you're getting closer to the soil,” she said.
At the very least, weeding provides more excitement than simple household chores.
“Scientific tests have proven that this helps produce endorphins in the brain, which has a mood-boosting effect,” she said.
“You shouldn't say that while mopping the kitchen floor!”
She urged gardeners to master the basics of weeding and mulching before buying plants (Stock Photo) Credit: Getty Images
