Gardening can often seem like an impossible task, as many plants require daily effort and care to ensure their survival. Many newcomers often want to try and grow their own vegetables and fruits, but jumping right into complicated produce is overwhelming. Instead, starting with beginner-friendly plants such as herbs and decorative plants can make this transition easier.
Before starting the process, you should make sure you have the proper equipment. To follow this guide, you should have at least a large planting pot, nutritious soil, and a simple shovel or digging tool. A source of water, such as a light hose or watering can, is also required. You can often find generic versions of these tools at a gardening or hardware store, such as Home Depot or Lowes.
One simple plant that everyone can start with is green onion. This aromatic green vegetable is often used in recipes to add flavor and can easily be purchased at a local grocery store for less than a dollar per bundle.
To start with growing some green onions, you need to purchase some fresh green onions at the store. In addition, you will need a water source and a small container of planting soil. I have found it easiest to cut off most of the green section of the plant, with around an inch of the white root section of the vegetable left to plant. You can use the cut-off section for cooking, and keep the root part for planting.
The actual gardening process for green onions is relatively simple. Make a small hole in the soil, and insert the green onion root. Pack the soil back around the root, and you’re done. To care for the plant, just water it once every one to two days, soaking the dirt around the plant.
When the green section has grown back to its original height, you can use a pair of kitchen scissors and cut the green part off again. Simply repeat this process and you will have as many green onions as you want for cooking. If you purchased more than one green onion stem from the store, you can plant them alongside one another, with a one-inch gap between the plants.
I have also had great success with purchasing other live herbs from the store and adding them to my personal garden. Whether I grow a basil plant or cloves of garlic, they all require very little effort to start. Just like the green onion, these can be harvested again and again to be used to add flavor to your dishes.
Another plant species that is hardy and requires little care is a form of cactus. Because they are known for sharp spikes, many people often overlook their cozy, petite nature. When planting cacti, plant enthusiasts have two options. Many hardware and plant stores sell both seeds and young plants, with a variety of different species. While both options are relatively accessible, purchasing a pre-grown plant requires much less initial care. Instead of having to nurture a cactus seedling and maintaining a consistent good growth environment, you can begin right away with a regular watering interval.
While the daily care differs between species, most cacti only require watering as frequently as once every two weeks. In some cases, you may only need to water once a month. If you are looking to add some plant life to your environment, this is an easy choice to make. There are several different plant species that you can choose from, including round and tall varieties.
Decorative plants are a great choice for those who want the feeling of caring for plants without all the burden. I tried growing one of these cactus plants on my own, and the easy watering schedule made it hassle-free to care for it. They even tolerate varied growing conditions, which makes the transition easier for new gardeners.
The next time you walk by the gardening aisle at your local store, consider picking up an already-grown cactus or green onion. You too can start adding to a personal garden and add decor to your home or flavor to your food.