Starting a garden would make you systematic
Some people just don’t have the idea on how to start gardening even when they’re all ready to commit themselves to such a hobby. It isn’t as simple as most people think. Unlike poker, it is scientific, and so therefore, is systematic. It relies on decisions based on definite know-how that could make or break you and your endeavor.
That’s why it is important to know gardening basics before one plunges in. But this isn’t everything. What also comes is the need to prepare one’s mental awareness to attend to such a responsibility.
Most of the times, people are still confused and taken aback by the challenge of growing a garden even though they have already read enough information on planting. This is where gardening as an activity becomes novel: It emphasizes the practice of what was learned in books.
Still, gardening is belittled by many. Although it is entirely true that gardening is a form of planting, what should be avoided is oversimplifying gardening as merely planting, almost negating the effort required in the former.
For people who have an urban upbringing, planting connotes some biology experiment at school where one would only have to dig, plant and wait until some creature springs out of the loam. In contrast, gardening is more of a contrived attempt that relies on systems and, of course, a bigger project than a science experiment.
The question what the garden would be for, what type and why is always crucial for beginners. You just don’t plant. You consider the type you’d be cultivating and whether it is for consumption, environmental advocacy, or just for aesthetic purposes. Remember, that we’re talking about a garden here, not just a single plant.
Therefore, it isn’t just enough to have the basic tools and the step-by-step procedure in planting a tree or a flower. Although of course, knowledge of it remains fundamental and indispensable, relying on such information alone is mechanical. Gardening, because it is run through systems, is practical.
That means knowledge of the system isn’t the be-all and end-all of gardening. The challenge is to remain systematic even when the forces of nature try to derail the system.
What should be kept in mind is that gardening, even though it requires minimal attention, asks of a larger dedication from a person. Staying away from oversimplifications and preconceptions about what gardening is would help you prepare for the task of starting up one—arguably the most difficult stage of all. It would force you to recognize the systems you have to deal with.
With that, you become compelled to take note of, say, the kind of plants that you want to grow. You don’t just lay seeds into the soil. You consider what type of plants can best survive in the conditions in your area. You then learn to oblige yourself to observe your surroundings and consider factors maintaining your garden. You learn to apply to the field what you’ve read in books. Gardening now, becomes a challenge, thus, is more exciting. Isn’t that what we should be looking for in a hobby anyway?
So if you want to start gardening, know the basics. It would be helpful if you will read books or attend classes. But of course, it would be bad if your confidence on your know-how would lead you to become impractical and quotidian; that would only make gardening a bore. Continue learning and constantly challenge yourself! There would be a lot of things to discover. Make it your way of integrating with nature!
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Author Bio: Roy is a freelance writer of www.gardeningequipment.org and he loves to write articles on gardening.
