For the Love of Plants

Plants are wonderful features here on earth and without them our place would never be as what it is today. These plants have provided so much for our needs. Planting is one of the common ways to show that we care for mother earth. It requires ability and perseverance to be able to make plants grow either in your own backyard or in a vast land. Those who engage in planting and who takes good care of plants, is referred to as a gardener. These individuals usually possess a characteristic that allows them to grow plants unusually, and they are those that have a “green thumb”.

Starting a garden is not a piece of cake. There are things that need to be considered in deciding to start one. The most important one is the availability of an area. It can either be in an area within the vicinity of your property or any free space that is conducive for gardening. The soil in the garden should be suitable for plants to grow. If the soil in the area is clay, therefore, it’s not the right choice since clay does not allow water to reach the roots of the plants easily. Clay's bits are very intact and sticky, and it will somehow deprive the plant of the basic requirements it needs for growing like nutrients and water. If the soil of the area appears to have the characteristics of sand, it is not a good idea to plant there because sand particles do not bind with each other. It will provide a poor base for the plant to hold on to and will easily drown the plant in too much water. The best soil should be loamed, it is a mixture of all other soils, and it contains organic matter that is found to be very healthy for plants. Fertilizers can also be utilized to enhance the fertility of the soil. The area should be fertile to make allow the plants to grow healthy or if not, utilize fertilizers. This will support the growth of the plants, since they get their nutrients from the soil. Sunlight is important for most plants during photosynthesis that is why the area should be exposed to the heat of the rays of the sun.

After choosing an area, it is important to think for plants that are suitable for the environment. Choosing plants that grow in a cold environment would not be practical if the climate in the area is hot. Therefore, it is best to choose a particular plant that is suitable for the season. The gardener can choose colorful flowers to make the garden look appealing. He can also choose medicinal herbs that can be very useful in times of health problems, which will serve as a less expensive remedy. Vegetables are also intelligent choices because it allows the gardener to save money if these veggies grow and mature. Fruit bearing shrubs and trees are also a good choice. It may take sometime for these plants to bear fruits but results are worth it. The gardener can benefit from the products of his garden not just for his own consumption but can also sell them and earn extra income.

There are various ways of planting; the gardener can utilize seeds, stalks and utilize various ways of propagation. Plants can be placed directly on the soil or be placed on pots or any container. It is also important to have proper spacing of the plants to make the garden look organized and avoid overlapping of spaces. Plants need their own space to grow adequately so that they can get enough nutrients from the soil. It is also important to protect the plants from any external factors that prevent them from developing. The gardener should also not forget to water the plants everyday because it is vital for every plant. It is best to water the plant early in the morning when the condition of the environment is mild and not yet on extremes. Every garden faces the disturbing presence of pests that will hinder the plant to grow healthier. These pests can be unwanted weeds growing around the plants or small insects eating the leaves and destroying the flowers. It is best to eliminate these pests so as not to destroy our plants in the garden.

It is really enjoyable to do gardening. Plants are indeed our source of food and a habitat for the animals. Plants are the sources of many medicines, items and other things that are very useful in our lives. It makes our environment green and a beautiful place to live in.