Hey everyone! I just bought a house and am super excited to get started on my garden, but I'm totally new to this. I've been trying to research native plants, including their watering and sunlight requirements, and when and how to plant them. However, I keep coming across conflicting info. One garden site says a plant needs full shade while another says it needs full sun. Similarly, some sources recommend planting in the fall while others suggest spring. I want to ensure I have everything figured out. I'm based in New York State and would really appreciate any plant suggestions or a reliable website where I can find all the information I need. Thanks a lot!
2 Answers
You should definitely check out Cornell Extension! They’re a state agency with offices in every county and they can provide all the research-based information you’ll need to get started. They’re super helpful!
Welcome to the world of gardening! It can be overwhelming at first with all the differing advice you’ll find online. Every gardener has their unique approach, just like with cooking or even parenting. I’ve had my share of struggles myself—even after years, I still can’t get my roses to thrive! But I do really well with peonies. My advice? Don’t stress too much about being perfect right from the start. Just dig a hole, plant something, and see how it goes. Remember, the path to gardening success is paved with a few dead plants! I'm glad to see you’re interested in native species. If you’re in New England, check out the Garden in the Woods in Massachusetts for more ideas. And don’t worry too much about fertilizer for now, unless you're growing blueberries, which need acidic soil. Just keep in mind that "full sun" typically means about 6 hours of light, but many plants can thrive with less. Good luck!
Thank you for your kind and helpful words! You’re right, I really need to learn to be okay with things not being perfect the first time!
Wow, thank you for the tip!! That sounds awesome.