How to Start Your First Garden (COMPLETE GUIDE)

The video begins with the host expressing his excitement to transform a regular suburban backyard into a vegetable garden. He is at his brother's house, who after a decade of not gardening, has shown interest in starting again. The host emphasizes the importance of considering the garden's location in relation to the house for convenience and sun exposure for plant growth. They discuss the potential to grow herbs, vegetables, and fruit trees and the educational value of gardening for the host's niece. The host also touches on two major considerations for garden design: proximity to the house and sunlight availability, noting the impact of the sun's path and the need to cater to plants' varying light requirements.

The host and his brother discuss the garden's layout, considering the sun's movement and the need to place sun-loving plants in sunny spots. They decide to use raised beds to maximize light exposure and avoid the shadow cast by a southwest-facing wall. The host explains the concept of raised beds, their benefits, and how to construct them using materials like wood or metal. They also consider the importance of bed height and spacing for ease of access and maintenance. The host demonstrates how to build a sturdy raised bed using bracing channels for added support against soil pressure.

The host advises investing in quality soil, as it is the foundation of a successful garden. He explains the importance of soil composition, including fertility, drainage, and retention. They visit a nursery to explore different soil options, where the host suggests avoiding garden soil in favor of raised bed mix or potting soil. He emphasizes the significance of ingredients like composted green waste, fir bark, sphagnum peat moss, and coconut coir, which contribute to soil fertility, aeration, and moisture retention. The host also discusses the role of mycorrhizal fungi in enhancing soil fertility.

The host and his brother continue their garden setup by selecting plants at a nursery. They discuss choosing healthy, vibrant plants and the benefits of purchasing seedlings for a quicker start to the growing season. The host shares tips on identifying good plants, the importance of plant spacing, and the potential to split larger plants into multiple smaller ones. They decide on an herb bed and select Mediterranean herbs that thrive in sunny, warm conditions. The host also suggests using the space efficiently by considering the garden's aesthetic appeal and practical use.

The host focuses on planting strawberries, explaining their propagation through runners and the importance of spacing them properly to balance runner production and fruit-bearing. He emphasizes the need to plant strawberries below their crown to prevent rot and ensure healthy growth. The host also discusses pruning strawberry plants to encourage leaf growth and energy storage for future fruit production. He advises removing flowers until May to create large strawberry bushes and then allowing flowers to develop for a abundant strawberry harvest in June.

The host and his brother move on to planting lettuce, discussing the minimal rules and flexibility in growing this fast-growing, leafy green. They consider the importance of nitrogen for lettuce growth and acknowledge the adequacy of the soil from the nursery. The host suggests designing the salad bed based on visual appeal and the option to harvest young leaves or allow the plants to mature. He introduces a spacing technique for efficient planting and the idea of staggering planting times to extend the harvest period.

The host demonstrates how to start seeds for plants like tomatoes and peppers, which can be grown in seed trays before transplanting. He explains the importance of knowing when to start different seeds based on their growing seasons and the option to grow a variety of plants from seeds for an adventurous gardening experience. The host details the process of planting seeds in cells, covering them lightly, and labeling the varieties. He advises on the initial watering and the importance of keeping the soil moist without overwatering.

The host discusses the aftercare of newly planted seedlings, emphasizing the need for a warm environment without direct sunlight during the initial stages. He advises on the importance of moisture and warmth for seed germination and the gradual introduction of sunlight as the seedlings sprout. The host also covers the use of grow lights to supplement natural light and the process of transplanting seedlings into larger pots or the garden once they're ready. He differentiates the requirements for flower seedlings compared to vegetable seedlings, noting that flowers can be more delicate and require specific planting depths and spacing.

The host provides an update on the garden's progress, noting that two and a half weeks after planting, the garden is showing good growth. He reports that the recent rain has been beneficial for the plants. He highlights the success of the strawberry plants, which are producing runners, and the overall health of the cabbage, leafy greens, and herbs. The host mentions some bug problems with the cabbage but is optimistic about the garden's trajectory. He also expresses excitement about the addition of passion fruit trees and anticipates their growth in the upcoming months.