Spring is here and so is the perfect time to start planting our gardens. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a beginner, this year is a great year to take on planting a bigger and better garden. I have been planning my garden for weeks now and I am excited to add some new crops and make some changes to my garden layout. In this post, I will share some of my ideas for this year’s garden, as well as some of my favorite gardening tools and accessories that I have found helpful over the years.

*As always, these links are affiliate links, which means I do get a small commission if you purchase from that link (with no added cost to you!)

Try New Crops

One of the easiest ways to make your garden feel fresh and exciting is to try new crops that you’ve never grown before. This year, I am planning to take on broccoli again, after failing to yield a good harvest last year. I think it’s partially getting planted super late last year. I have done some research and I am going to increase my watering schedule in the hopes of producing a bountiful yield. Some other crops that I am excited to try this year include yellow beans, spinach, eggplants and more herbs. By introducing new crops to your garden, you can expand your culinary horizons and challenge yourself as a gardener.

Building a beautiful garden requires starting seeds early in the year inside and then transplanting them outside. To help you with this process, here are a few of my favorite gardening items from Amazon that make this task easier. I’ve also included some useful tools that I find helpful in making gardening a breeze.

Pro Tip: I use these waterproof mesh zipper pouches to keep my seeds contained and organized. They’re perfect for so many things!

Check out these fun gardening items and unique seeds to add some excitement to your garden!

Add Vertical Gardening

Another way to make your garden bigger and better is to add some vertical gardening. Vertical gardening is a great way to save space and increase your garden’s capacity. It’s also a perfect way to garden if you’re in an apartment or want to keep your plants close to your patio. You can use trellises, cages, or stakes to support plants that grow upwards, such as tomatoes, peas, and cucumbers. Vertical gardening is also an excellent way to add interest and variety to your garden, creating visual appeal and dimension. Something I’ve found that helps with vertical gardening is having these little clips you can add onto your vines as they’re growing.

I’ve always grown my tomatoes in tall cages and a huuuuge tip I learned years ago was to prune them early on. Build strong stalks and watch those puppies flourish! Also, consider when you’re planting them to wrap your cages with plastic wrap. I’ve used everything from saran wrap to pallet boxing wrap. Then as they’re popping a few feet out of the top I unwrap the cages. This keeps both moisture in as well as allowing them to stay a little bit warmer and keeping them out of the windy elements of spring.

Invest in Quality Gardening Tools

Having the right tools can make all the difference when it comes to gardening. Investing in quality gardening tools will not only make your gardening easier and more efficient, but it will also save you money in the long run by reducing the need for replacements. By having the right tools for the job, you can make the most of your garden and enjoy the process of cultivating it.

My necessary tools for gardening success include;

• Ground Weed Barrier | I now use some fancy wrapping that came from the packing plants BUT in the past I’ve used a tarp and then cut holes, I’ve done newspapers as well. But typically the ground barrier fabric you can get works best if you don’t want to go with something super heavy duty.
• Water TeePee’s | These are hands down my best kept secret for success with my tomatoes and peppers. I have used them for years, and they’re a little bit more expensive but such an investment that I attribute to my success. These pop-up tents I might try next year as well.
• Pallet Wrap | This is simple, but it helps keep the plants warm once I take them out of their little teepees.
• Metal T Posts | These are needed for your tomato plant cages and I like to use them to help lace with string to keep my peppers standing upright.
• Garden Clips | This is something newer to my garden kit. But I’ve loved using them to help vines grow upward on my cattle panels for cucumbers and pea plants.
• Plant Miracle Grow | This is a given, but don’t forget to give those plants an extra boost!
• Cotton String | I use string for a variety of reasons but it’s perfect to lace up those pepper plants with my t posts. This year I’m going to use the same system for my green beans as well.
• Kitchen Scissors | There’s often times when I go prune that I use my kitchen scissors, you can of course get pruning sheers if you’re fancy but I do what works for me.
• Water Meter | These are great to check moisture in your garden. I typically keep mine in the house for my houseplants but will take it out when I need to check the garden in the summer.
• Veggie Basket | Ok this one is “extra” but necessary for me! I have a cute little basket I use to drag my veggies up from my garden to the house. Works like a charm.

Sustainable Gardening

Lastly, when planting a bigger and better garden, consider practicing sustainable and eco-friendly gardening methods. This includes composting, using natural pest control methods, and reducing your water consumption. This year I’m trying out a new watering system to cut down on my watering time as well as watering directly in the soil to help not burn the leaves but help with water absorption. I’m giving this system from Amazon for my garden a try. Sustainable gardening is not only good for the environment, but it can also improve the health and flavor of your crops.

Planting a bigger and better garden this year can provide you with a sense of accomplishment, a variety of flavorful crops, and the satisfaction of providing for yourself and your family. Whether trying new crops, adding vertical gardening, investing in quality tools, adding fun accessories, or practicing sustainable gardening, there are many ways to enhance your gardening experience. By taking the time to plan and invest in your garden, you can create a beautiful and bountiful space that you will enjoy for years to come! Happy Gardening!

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