Self-care practice: Gardening 101- BMCC Advisor Conference
Facilitator: Staci Siegel “Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson
Plan before you plant
- What do I want to plant? Pay attention to your diet. Do you eat specific fruits and vegetables on a frequent basis? Are these products considered “in season”?
- There are “cool-season” veggies that grow in spring (eq, lettuce, spinach, root veggies) and “warm-season” veggies that are not planted until the soil warms up (eq, tomatoes, peppers). Plant cool-season crops after spring frost and then plant warm-season crops in the same area later in the season.
- Do you use specific herbs when you cook?
- Do I have space available for plants, succulents, or pots?
- How much sun or natural light do you get in your space?
- How much money do you want to spend on this hobby? Set aside a specific budget.
- Consider your lifestyle. If you are not home often, you will want to choose plants that are more low maintenance.
- A watering schedule is necessary for any type of plant or flowers.
Gardening in small spaces
- Start with succulents if you have limited space available. These plants are maintenance free and come in many varieties such as jade, aloe vera, panda, or zebra plants.
- Think about your apartment layout. Choose plants based on the positioning of windows and amount of light available in your space.
- If you have minimal windows then consider buying these plants that prefer limited light weeping figs, peace lilies, and ivy.
- For small apartments and studios, vertical planters that attach to the walls will allow you space to grow. (hanging plants)
- Read the care instructions to see how much light, spacing, and water is needed for this plant to grow.
Tool & Tips
- Gardening gloves – make sure they are durable and water resistant.
- Garden shears- These are scissors that will cut branches and twigs.
- Trowel- a hand-held shovel used to dig in soil, remove weeds, and mixing fertilizer
- Pick the right location for a garden. A sunny location is where most plants will thrive.
- Plant vegetables in a moist and well-drained soil.
- Visit this site for additional tips and ideas: gardenplanner.almanac.com
Vegetable garden basics
- Watering is essential for plant growth.
- Fertilizer provides an extra boost for the vegetation and improves the quality of produce.
- Weeding is required as weeds can intertwine with plants and impact growth.
- Plant marigolds not only to brighten up the garden but also to attract bees and other pollinators. These flowers help with pest control and attract butterflies.
- Read care instructions found in the plant. Essential information such as how to grow the plant, the expected height of plant and spacing required. Some labels will also include how much sun, water, and uses of the plant.
- Wear loose fitted clothing when planting and make sure you are hydrated.
- Cage v. Stakes- Tomato plants will grow extensively. Either option will keep the fruit clean and healthy
- Visit this link for more useful tips: https://hicksnurseries.com/our-products/vegetables-herbs-fruits/
Location, location, location – Where can you buy supplies?
- ACE Hardware
- Home Depot- The Garden Center
- Lowe’s
- Stop & Shop
- Jamali Floral & Garden 149 W. 28th Street
- Kings County Nurseries, Inc. 625 New York Avenue
“Serenity now”- Benefits of Gardening as mentioned in Psychology Today
- Gardening can build self-esteem
- Reduces stress levels
- Boosts Vitamin D levels
- Helps an individual practice acceptance. “Don’t mess with Mother Nature”
- Mindful presence- helps people stay centered
- Good physical activity which boosts endorphins
- “Bathing in Green” (Japanese philosophy) Studies have found evidence that being in green, or even being able to look out on a green landscape, is linked with better recovery from surgery, less anxiety and depression, better stress management, and many other positive effects.
“The glory of gardening: hands in dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just on the body, but the soul.” –Alfred Austin
