Planting a garden is one of the great joys in life for enthusiasts. Many plant lovers do it to experience the fulfillment of their hobby. In addition to hobbyists, there are others that plant because they want to try growing fruits and vegetables for fresh food, or they grow their own produce out of necessity. Finally, there are those who plant different flowers every season for decoration or for home beauty contests. New gardeners with little experience may find the idea of organizing and planting perennial flowers intimidating, and gardens are especially taxing on the nerves. Long-term success depends on a combination of planning, easy preparation and technique for each kind of plant. Here are five tips on planting to help you get started on earning your green thumb.

Proper Soil Preparation

There is nothing more important in the list of tips than learning about proper soil prep. Researching the proper soil cultivation for whatever you are wanting to plant can result in an abundance of beautiful flowers, a hearty crop of vegetables, a full green lawn or strong trees and shrubs. Research the soil cultivation techniques for what you intend to plant, and be aware that soil cultivation is an ongoing process.

Know Proper Planting Instructions

Fortunately, proper planting instructions encompasses almost everything most people will want to grow. There are few steps involved, but they are easy. After properly cultivating the soil mix for the plant, the first thing is to dig a hole a little deeper than the bottom of the ball and twice as wide. Next, to make the backfilling easier, you need to put your proper soil mix on a piece of tarp or plastic while the hole is being dug. Finally, everything else will take care of itself as long as everything else on the list is adhered to.

Placing the Plant

Put only some of the backfill you have prepared in the hole and at the bottom because the remainder of the backfill soil is needed for another tip. Make sure the depth is right by taking a measurement of the hole and the root ball and comparing them. Finally, firmly pack the soil around the plant to hold it solidly in place.


Only fill the hole halfway, and you should use your hands to pack it in to prevent air pockets. Make sure to pack it in firmly. Finally, add the rest of the soil to the top, and construct a dam around the the circle of the hole with the remaining dirt with a height of around three inches.


The new plant should immediately be watered deeply. Afterwards, water the new plants about once per week for their first month and during summer months. When the first month is over and the summer heat subsides, a watering every two weeks during the growing season should be sufficient. How much water at every stage depends on the kind of plant though, which will require you to do some research, and some plants may need water more often. The watering tips are solid for most plants though.

These tips are the ones to follow if you don't have a lot of experience and want to get your new plant or plants in the ground or pots and get them growing strong and healthy. They are not strict rules to follow though. Always look up what kind of plants are suitable for your certain climates and elevation, and compare them to these tips and the rules nature has set for your location.