For some folks, gardening is a mystery – perhaps even intimidating. Some want-tobe gardeners may believe they don’t know enough about it to try, or are simply convinced they don’t have a green thumb.
For those who don’t know a rose bush from a tomato plant, there is still hope. David Hillock, Oklahoma State University Extension consumer horticulturist, said anyone can garden, no matter their skill level or the size of the landscape.
“Obviously, big, elaborate gardens and landscapes take time and talent. But, if you start slowly, maybe with just a tomato plant, a pot of herbs or even a few colorful annuals, you’re bound to have success,” Hillock said. “Starting small and slow also is a great way to get kids interested in horticulture. It’s easy to get started gardening by planting a dish garden, container garden or a succulent garden.”
A dish garden is a type of container garden, typically made with shallow dishes or bowls and with multiple plants in one container. The great thing about a dish garden is that different species of plants can be mixed and matched. However, Hillock said to make sure the plants have similar water and light requirements.
Hillock also said the dish must have enough room and proper growth medium to support the plants. In addition, keep drainage in mind.
“Don’t use a layer of gravel in the bottom of the dish. This actually will hinder water movement away from the roots,” he said. “The media used for a dish garden will vary, depending on the type of plants. Choose something that drains well, but holds adequate moisture. The soil also shouldn’t be very fertile, as this encourages rapid growth.”
The great thing about dish gardening is the plants used generally stay small or grow slowly. A popular plant group for dish gardening is succulents, for example. Succulents don’t need as much depth as other plants because they can tolerate shallow rooting and longer dry spells. Don’t make the mistake of planting a succulent with a plant that likes moist soil and high humidity.
Container gardening is another option for beginners, and it opens up even more possibilities than dish gardens.
“Some people may think container gardens are just for flowers or small shrubs, but you actually can grow a wide variety of edibles, including vegetables and herbs. Herbs or a tomato plant are great choices for novice gardeners,” Hillock said. “Although container gardening includes many of ...
