A beginner's guide to starting a garden: Everything you need
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If you’re feeling drained by the current news cycle and the strain of spending the majority of your days inside, it can be hard to be feel positive.
But one way to combat isolation blues is to work on your green thumb: getting outdoors or simply being in the presence of plants has proven to have mood-boosting benefits. Likely if you’re working on your garden, you’ll be outdoors, exposing yourself to vitamin D and fresh air – two crucial ingredients in making you happier.
If you don’t currently have a garden – it’s a great time to start. If space is limited, you can still embrace the greenery by growing a windowsill garden with your favourite herbs.
In a time when it can be difficult to feel productive and positive, committing to growing a garden, no matter how big or small, can feel exponentially rewarding. It gives you the freedom to learn something new, plant some seeds and see your hard work literally blossom.
Below, find the top items to help you start your dream garden whether it’s windowsill herbs or a plot of flowers. Shop them below.
Miracle-Gro Potting Soil
One of the top essentials, potting soil, is the base of your garden, providing your plants and seedlings a healthy environment to grow. This “moisture control” potting soil literally makes growing your plants as straightforward as possible, protecting against over - and under - watering. The soil has capacity to hold 33 per cent more water, releasing it to the roots as needed.
“This year, I started vegetables and herbs from seed and took a gardener's advice that I buy good soil when I transplant them outside. I decided to try this and am thrilled with the results! My flowers, vegetables and herbs are more luscious, larger and require less watering than previous years!” raves one customer.
SHOP IT: Rona, $11
Yardworks Impact Protection Gloves
While gloves may not be considered a gardening essential, they’re a great tool to protect your hands from harsh soil and damage while digging. These high quality Yardworks Impact Protection Gloves have a padded palm and breathable spandex to provide additional protection while growing your garden.
“These gloves are fantastic when working outside. The padding on palms of the gloves is just enough to protect your hands. The fit for me is great, snug as it should be so I can work. The velcro closure at the wrist is a good touch and keeps dirt from getting back into my gloves,” says ones customer. “Fine motor skills aren't affected by these gloves. I really like these and will wear them for all my outdoor work.”
SHOP IT: Canadian Tire, $17
Yardworks Garden Hoe
While you may not need a garden hoe for smaller gardens, this tool is crucial for anyone starting a larger garden. Used to dislodge weeds and mixing up soil, a garden hoe is essential for prepping your soil for plants. The 48” handle allows you to stand straight while doing garden work, reducing back strain. The tool head is corrosion resistant, perfect for working in wet soil.
“The performance of this shovel was pretty standard, but its hefty frame made it easier to dig into the ground. It is a very nicely made, good quality product. All the components are perfectly in tact after a few uses,” reads one review.
SHOP IT: Canadian Tire, $25
FISKARS Aluminum Bypass Pruner
Pruners are used to cut living growth such as stems and thin branches. This tool will help you control the growth of your plants, allowing you to trim and shape your plants according to your garden space. Good quality pruners will reduce friction, preserving the health of the plant.
“Great pruners! Perfect for cutting my roses or any other thick vine. I like how these pruners have the safe lock. I also have purchased the smaller FRISKARS pruners that I use for my smaller indoor plants and herbs,” says one customer.
SHOP IT: Rona, $30
Yardworks Hand Trowel
Ideal for digging holes, a hand trowel is key at the planting stage of your garden. Perfect for planting your seeds and plants, the hand trowel can be used to dig, apply, smooth and move soil. This Yardworks Hand Trowel has an ergonomic design with a rubber handle for further comfort.
“We used this hand trowel to move some lilies around in the front of the house,” says a reviewer. “It worked great and was easy to clean up after we were done.”
SHOP IT: Canadian Tire, $9
Aerogarden Harvest Elite 360 Garden System
If all of that sounds like a bit too much work, or you’re short on space/live in an apartment with limited outdoor access, this system is for you. The Aerogarden Harvest Elite 360 is an indoor-only solution to growing your favourite salad ingredients, allowing you to grow fresh herbs and veggies year round. With a seed pod kit included, you can get started immediately – giving you access to fresh veggies with little-to-no green thumb required.
“I can't express how much I love this product,” raves one fan. “I am currently growing the herbs that were included in the kit and I am highly impressed. I love the fact that I can easily keep track of how many days until a pod should be expected to sprout. It's great that I don't have to worry about remembering to water the pods daily and worrying about over watering them.”
SHOP IT: The Bay, $240
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