Besides perking up the elegance of your abode with a superb natural landscape, having a garden right in the comfort of your own home can actually slash a lot of bucks off your monthly grocery bill. From majestic perennials that will make your property even more vibrant in a sea of colors to multi-faceted herbaceous varieties that will make cooking truly divine, growing your own plants is definitely a great move to raise the bar on modern home remodeling.

While a lot of renovating connoisseurs shy away from the subject, basic gardening can be quite easy as pie for beginners in terms of spending and effort. It only requires the right amount of space, the right tools and supplies, as well as the right enthusiastic mindset to absolutely get you going. Ready to start working on the picturesque garden that you"ve always wanted? Here are a few useful tips and advice to help you get right on track in no time at all:

CHOOSE THE BEST SPOT:

Selecting the most suitable site for your home garden certainly doesn"t need rocket science: it only requires a quick evaluation of where potential plants can have the most exposure to the sun in a day and an easy access for quick watering and mulching to keep your leafy friends in great shape. Although front lawns and residential pathways are some of the most popular gardening spots nowadays, try to keep foot traffic as light and minimal as possible.

THE RIGHT TOOLS MAKE THE JOB EASIER:

Having the appropriate tools can definitely make your first time gardening experience a walk in the park, so make sure you stock up on the following basic plant propagation items without further ado: a big, durable rake, pruning shears that can stay sharp for days on end, a high-quality garden hose, a weeder, as well as a spade and a handy trowel. Throw in a pair of working gloves and a convenient wheelbarrow to top it off and you"re positively good to go.

GET YOUR GARDEN SOIL IN SHAPE:

Plants require nutrient-rich soil to grow as healthy and resilient to pests and diseases as much as possible. Although some types of soil are naturally abundant with organic enzymes that are loaded with vitamins and minerals, others call for a good dose of humus and composted material to produce the necessary nourishment plants need. Aside from a self-test, you can also send a sample to your local gardening center for pH level testing.

ORGANIZE THE PLANT BED:

Preparing the bed may be the toughest task of all when starting a garden. Since your chosen gardening spot will probably have some weeds or wild grass thriving on it, clearing them is a prerequisite before you can start planting anything. On a similar note, you can also place thick layers of wet newspaper over these along with 4 to 6 inches of healthy soil to allow them to eventually decay and serve as organic fertilizer for your plants.

IDENTIFY THE PLANTS YOU'D LIKE TO GROW:

Take time to note down the plants you"d like to have in your garden. Whether you are planning to raise ornamental flowers, aromatic herbs, vegetables or even a mix of the three, knowing what to propagate makes it easier to plan ahead. It"s best to start with the colors you admire, the ones you like to eat or those you can"t easily find locally. You can even check out your neighbor"s garden to find out what plant varieties can be successfully grown in your vicinity.

THE ACTUAL PLANTING:

Most experts agree that the best time for planting is on a tranquil, gloomy day to avoid stressing the flora as much as possible. As for previously potted plants, relocate them with care and bury them to the depth they were situated earlier. Too much soil can force their stems to deteriorate while too little can dry out the roots fast. Also remember not to press down hard on the plants when settling them into the soil. Watering does the trick just as fine.

MULCHING THE RIGHT WAY:

Although mulching may sound as if it were a puffed up miracle technique to raise healthy plants, it really does make a huge difference. Besides preventing unwanted weeds to cultivate and effectively storing up water for seed growth, a generous application of mulch will also keep soil temperatures levels cool. Whether you prefer the plastic or organic variety, you will definitely improve your plants" development quality at the drop of a hat.

GARDEN MAINTENANCE:

Now that you"re finished with the tough jobs, sustaining your garden is a piece of cake. Aside from making sure to water your plants at least twice a week to allow them to save up at least 1 inch of moisture, periodically check your plants for any signs of pest infestation or natural diseases as well. Before you know it, you"ll have a charming garden even the most demanding modern homeowners would want to display in their respective abodes!