9 simple tips for a gardening beginner

We all once started. In memory to this day are alive the first victories and the first setbacks, the first flower that blossomed on its first flowerbed, and the first self-grown harvest. And now, on the eve of the next summer season, I want to say a few words to those for whom he will become the very one that is memorable for life: the first.

Do you think it will be about how to plant and plant? And here not. About this – another time. And today – about those rules, without which any initiative is doomed to failure and disappointment. I know from experience: it is very important that at the right moment someone tells you these simple words …

Do not be afraid!

Most of all at first we are hampered by the awareness of our own inexperience in the country business and the fear of making a mistake. What decisions can be taken if the brain is constantly jarring alarm bell: “I do not know how to do it! I never did it! I can not! But suddenly I will do something wrong, I’ll spoil something! ”
So, I have good news. First, it passes. And it passes quickly – you will not have time to look back, as wings are straightened behind your back. Honestly! Secondly , if you are not going to arrange some very crazy agronomical experiments at the dacha, it is unlikely that your actions (even if they were wrong, not without this) could cause really serious and irreparable damage to the garden and its inhabitants.

Do not exaggerate their helplessness and “illiteracy” in country issues. Listen to yourself. Believe in the inner voice – he usually does not advise bad advice Try, do, make mistakes . Take lessons from your own mistakes – and do it again. It’s not scary! If at some point you start to doubt – read the article Dacha without rules .

“Do not make yourself an idol”

When you feel inexperienced, you feel a lack of knowledge and experience, it is tempting to follow the authoritative opinion of others. And this is normal, there is nothing wrong with it – how else to learn something new. But it is not necessary from the first steps to get stuck on some one point of view, idea or theory. Why? Because of all the same own inexperience.
It is difficult to objectively evaluate other people’s views and concepts when you start a new business “from scratch”. Theories are mass, they are all persuasive and look very attractive. Well, tell me, which of us will abandon the ecologically pure harvest grown without any worries and special efforts? Is it tempting? And then!
And now a freshly baked summer resident with the energy and fervor of a neophyte begins to introduce and preach some fashionable theory. If everything coincided – as they say, “the stars came together” – and it turned out well, it is strengthened in its “new faith”. If something went wrong somewhere, the results did not justify the hopes – it sometimes becomes a fierce opponent and critic of the former “idol” now cast into the dust …
Wait. Do not rush to join the ranks of ardent supporters of any method. Listen to different opinions, compare, weigh . Look through the review From the plow to the computer: traditions and innovations in agriculture – you will see how vast the choice can be. Try, check, look. Do not take anything for granted. And then, after a while, for sure you will find what you need.

Do not rush!

I want everything to happen right away. Today there was only grass till the waist – and a week later it is already standing, lake ducks are swimming on the lake, apples are poured on the branches … Fairy-tale, yeah)) But you want the same, right? Let not so exaggerated, and yet …
Probably, we all dream of how (thanks to our inexhaustible energy, of course!), The neglected plot will change magically: instead of weeds, well-maintained beds and lush flower beds will grow, arches and gazebos, paths and lawn will appear … And in the first year.
But this often does not happen – and disappointment comes: failed, failed … Some, however, at the cost of titanic efforts, it is possible to achieve impressive results. Only there is no power left to enjoy them. And then why all this? ..
Remember, what folk wisdom says: “Moscow was not built at once”. It is impossible to turn an abandoned wasteland into a garden of paradise for a year (if we are talking about ordinary summer residents, of course, those who do not have unlimited resources to immediately realize any dreams). Everything has its time. All will be. Everything will turn out. Just not right away .
And until the “real” spring has come, read the article ” Redevelopment at the dacha: what to do when you want to change everything – it will tell you how to distribute forces and time in order to get the best result in your first summer season.

Do not give up!

Failures  and mistakes will be happen. Accept this as a fact, as a fact. So gaining experience, this is its price. And this does not mean that nothing happens .
There will be unexpected problems, all sorts of difficulties and unpleasant “surprises”. For example, fresh molehills on a brand-new flat lawn. Or an unexpected summer hail, leaving only memories from your favorite flowers. Late frosts or prolonged spring rains; Neighbor’s dog; A seedling that has not taken root … But you did not expect that it would cost absolutely no difficulties, right? ..
In moments of fatigue and despondency – stop. Read the article Where there is optimism and look at what is happening a little differently. Do not let the problems prevail , because you are probably stronger than them.

Do not compare with others!

Another difficult moment in the life of a beginner. You look around, leaf through pages of sites – around neat little houses and well-groomed gardens, where everything is so beautiful, so intelligently arranged … You look at your own land – and the longing is coming: here it is still so far from the ideal … It’s easy to fall into despair.
And you ask those whose gardens you admire, how many years they left to create this beauty. And believe me – in your time, too, everything will change for the better.
And think about it: do you really need it “just like in the picture”? Is this really your dream? The question, by the way, is not idle. Often those who seek to make “like a neighbor” or “like that photo in a magazine” forget to “try on” the coveted idea for their real life.
And now a picture of life . My friends in the country house have a fireplace, and chairs, and “hunting trophies” on the walls of the fireplace hall, and the view outside the window. Only they can not remember when the last fire was fired up – they have enough stoves. And they prefer to spend the evenings in front of the TV. And from the big window (yes, the very one behind which – the marvelous view) is terribly blowing, and to do anything – is difficult and very expensive, because there are huge glass in bulky old frames … But it looks beautiful, of course .. .
Only “was” and “became” can be compared . Take photos of your dacha before you start transforming it. And whenever you want to compare your (maybe still modest) successes with strangers, get those pictures and say to yourself: “I have achieved excellent results!” And it surely will be true – you’ll see.

Learn!

Nobody was born with knowledge and experience. That’s why thousands of books are being written, hundreds of magazines are being published, websites are being created, articles are being written so that we can find the information you need, find answers to your questions.
Do not think that everything will come-you have to study thoughtfully and purposefully . Here to whom as it is more convenient: who – under books, who – under prompts of more skilled friends, neighbors on a summer residence. It is important to analyze your mistakes and good luck, draw conclusions – and certainly apply them in practice.
At the beginning summer resident, by the way, in this respect there is a huge advantage over experienced. Do you know what? In an effort to learn new things, to learn . Over time, we often lose it, stop, having reached some level of results acceptable for ourselves.
The longer the interest in knowledge persists, the more success will be in the daily garden-and-garden cares. Perfect, and let every new summer season be full of discoveries!

Ask!

I repeat: no one can know everything. And there will always be someone who understands better in one or another issue. Therefore, you should not “cook in your own juice”, trying to find all the necessary answers yourself. Do not be afraid to ask , even if it seems to you that your questions are naive and ridiculous. In fact, the one who self-confidently believes that he knows everything is ridiculous, and the one who seeks, recruited experience, is always right in seeking to find the truth.
We have a section Questions – it’s just to ask and receive answers. And comments on articles are also for this (including)). Did not find any information, faced with difficulties – ask ! Necessarily, there are those who have an answer. Or at least a clue where to look for it – sometimes this is enough.

Rejoice!

A  village house is not a place where you need to exhaust yourself with slave labor in the vast “plantations.” The village house is a “place of strength”, a powerful antidepressant, a source of positive and optimistic . It is very important to remember this, otherwise the initial fervor and enthusiasm will quickly fade away – they will be overwhelmed by fatigue and a load of endless worries.
Find the time to just admire what nature has created and your skillful hands. Rejoice in flowers, butterflies, fruit ripening on the branches, morning sun, birds singing, clean air. Look for and find occasions for joy and admiration , be proud of your successes, enjoy and  cares.

Believe in yourself!

“It’s not the gods that burn pots,” and that’s true. Even if you are anxiously waiting for the beginning of spring, doubting your own strength and suffering from uncertainty, everything will soon change. The first shoots in the garden miraculously raise self-esteem
When something starts to turn out (and it turns out that it’s impossible – just can not be otherwise, since you started this business!), Our confidence begins to grow steadily. Remember: everyone once started . No one knows his experience and knowledge from birth, so they will come to you, too. Very soon, wait and meet!
A little secret: if you share your success with friends, it necessarily becomes more Support and approval of like-minded people are doing real miracles! Therefore, do not hesitate to talk about your dacha finds and achievements, discoveries and successes – write, leave comments, publish photos of your wonderful, unique, and (certainly – beloved) Villa so that we can all rejoice for you.

You may also like to read about strix mythology.

Connell
The author is an expert on occupational training and a prolific writer who writes extensively on Business, technology, and education. He can be contacted for professional advice in matters related with occupation and training on his blog Communal Business and Your Business Magazine.