Your home’s backyard can be used as a kitchen garden

Most people whose homes have extra space such as a backyard tend to use it as a storage area for items they do not need. This could lead to clutter that reduces the aesthetic value of one’s home.

However, it is possible to convert that space into an appealing garden which will not only add value to your home, but also give you something constructive to focus on.

According to Mr Oscar Ludelu, a landscaper and horticulturist at Crystal Gardens, it is not difficult to start a home garden.

He, however, cautions that one must know the basics of how gardening works before attempting the project. “If you want to start a home garden, you must have an idea of the type of garden you want.

“It could be a simple kitchen garden or a landscaped garden,” says Mr Ludelu.

“A kitchen garden is mostly used for growing simple herbs, vegetables or flowers whereas a landscaped garden is used for outdoor entertainment or as a children’s playground aside from growing plants and vegetables on it.” He advises beginners that it is better to start with a small garden then expand later as you get comfortable in gardening.

A food or entertainment garden?

Deciding on the type of garden one wants helps in determining the plants one will grow in it. A home garden can have a wide range of plants, from shrubs and flowers to herbs. With larger gardens, trees can be planted.

“Knowing how much time you’ll have for gardening is important as it will help you determine the type of plants to plant in your garden.

“If one is busy, they could opt for plants that do not require a lot of care, such as ornamental grass and succulents,” says Mr Ludelu.

Once the plants to be grown in the garden have been chosen, one must then choose a proper location for the garden. This is because different plants have different requirements for them to thrive.

“Some plants require hours of full sun while others thrive well in shaded areas. It is important to know where a plant thrives so as to ensure your gardening is a success,” the horticulturist says.

Adequate preparation
Before starting a garden, ensure that the designated area has been cleared of weeds and random bushes and has been raked to remove any lingering dirt on the soil such as plastics and metal.

“After clearing weeds from the area, one should dig the soil to loosen it so that the plant roots can penetrate the soil upon planting,” Mr Ludelu says.

After digging, it is important to even out the land and provide for a slight slope that will facilitate drainage of excess water from the garden, he adds.

“Depending on the type of soil in the chosen area, one can decide whether or not to boost it with manure before planting. The recommended soil for planting is red loam soil. After planting, it is important to ensure that the plants remain regularly watered (depending on the climate of the area) and monitored,” notes Mr Ludelu.

Calculate the cost
The costs of starting a home garden vary depending on different factors.

“The larger the garden one wants to start the costlier it is bound to be, since more materials will be used. One must also consider the labour involved in gardening and decide whether they will be able to do it themselves or they will hire someone to look after the garden for them. This comes at an extra cost. However, starting a garden is generally a cost-friendly process,” says the Crystal Gardens landscaper, adding that while gardening is fairly easy to begin, it is advisable not to act upon ignorance.

Professional services
Depending on the time and knowledge one has on gardening, assistance from gardening professionals may be necessary. This helps one understand factors such as types of soils and growth success requirements for some plants.

Watch out for pests and weeds. While gardening has been associated with advantages such as growing healthy foods, relaxation and its aesthetic value, it comes with a few challenges, the most dominant being invasion of pests from time to time.

“Some of the common pests found in gardens include aphids, mealy bugs and thrips. If these pests are not dealt with at the earliest opportunities, they become a nuisance and may eventually destroy the entire garden,” warns Mr Ludelu.

He adds that it is advisable to use organic remedies first when dealing with pests before using pesticides to avoid using too many chemicals on the plants.

“Practising good garden hygiene, mulching the garden during the season and ensuring your plants get manure when necessary will keep them healthy, thus reducing chances of pest attack in the garden,” he says.