Hey everyone! I'm looking to start a garden for my mom while she recovers from surgery this summer. I live in Northern New Jersey and, although I'm inexperienced with gardening, I'm eager to do this for her. I won't be back home until May—am I too late to start planting? What would be good plants to begin with since I'm not very knowledgeable? I'd appreciate any help or advice!
3 Answers
That’s such a thoughtful idea! Are you thinking about growing flowers, veggies, or a mix?
If there's an existing bed to use, that's a bonus! I suggest going with vegetables that your mom loves to eat. Since you’ll be busy caretaking, buying starter plants might be a better option than seeds for a beginner.
Good luck with this lovely project!
So great you're doing this for your mom! Sunflowers are a fantastic choice, they'll bring happiness when they bloom and they attract birds too! Just keep in mind they can bring in rodents, so watch for that. Since your mom might be on meds after her surgery, you might want to skip overly strong scented plants like certain lilies. You sound like you'll be a great help over the summer, especially with the heavy lifting!
This is really sweet of you! Since your mom is recovering, be sure to think about watering solutions. Can you manage that over the summer? Maybe consider hose irrigation to make it easier for her!
If you're leaning towards veggies, cherry tomatoes could be fun and easy to grow. Just remember to check your last frost date before planting! Also, lavender is low maintenance and brings a lovely scent. Avoid invasive plants like morning glories, though.