Garden fresh: Low-effort planting and chemical-free pest control

By hrseditor // 2025-03-06

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Start by deciding what to grow based on your preferences and local climate.
Most plants need six to eight hours of sunlight daily, so pick a sunny, flat area with easy water access. For shady yards, opt for shade-tolerant plants.
Test your soil and enrich it with compost to improve drainage and nutrients.
Water seedlings daily and established plants deeply once a week. Use mulch to retain moisture, suppress weeds and enrich the soil.
Avoid synthetic chemicals by using DIY natural pest repellents.

Gardening can feel overwhelming for beginners, but it doesn’t have to be. With a little planning and some simple steps, you can create a thriving garden that requires minimal effort. Whether you’re dreaming of fresh vegetables, fragrant herbs or colorful flowers, below are some useful tips to help you get started. You can also learn about natural, non-toxic ways to keep pests out of your home and garden. (h/t to BHG.com)

Start by deciding what to plant

First, you need to choose what you want to grow. Do you want a vegetable garden to supply your kitchen with fresh produce? Or perhaps an herb garden for cooking? Maybe you’d prefer a flower garden to brighten up your yard. Here are some suggestions on what to grow in your home garden:

Flowers – If you’re after color, consider annuals like marigolds and zinnias, which bloom all summer, or perennials like black-eyed Susans and daylilies, which come back year after year.
Vegetables and herbs – Start with easy-to-grow options like cucumbers, lettuce, peppers and tomatoes. Herbs like basil, mint and parsley are also beginner-friendly.

Choose vegetables that suit your family’s tastes and your local climate. This will make your garden more enjoyable and easier to maintain.

Find the perfect spot

Most vegetables and flowers need at least six to eight hours of sunlight daily, so observe your yard to find the sunniest spots. If your yard is mostly shady, plants like hostas (plantain lilies) and ferns thrive in shade. Flat ground A flat area is easier to work with than a slope. Water access Make sure your garden is close to a water source to simplify watering.

Clear the ground

When you're ready, remove weeds and grass from your chosen area. For quick results, cut out the sod with a spade. For a slower but easier method, try lasagna gardening:

Cover the area with five to ten sheets of newspaper.
Add a three-inch layer of compost or potting soil.
Water it and wait. In about four months, the grass and weeds will decompose, leaving you with rich, ready-to-plant soil.

Test and improve garden soil

Healthy soil is the foundation of a successful garden. Test your soil through your local cooperative extension office or use a DIY kit. Most residential soil needs a boost of organic matter, like compost, to improve drainage and nutrient levels. Next, add a two- to three-inch layer of compost to your soil before planting. If you’re not digging, leave the compost on the surface and let earthworms mix it in for you.

Prepare the planting beds

Loosening the soil will help roots grow easily. Either till the soil with a rototiller or dig by hand. Work the soil when it’s moist but not wet so it forms a loose ball in your hand but crumbles when dropped. Don't walk on prepared beds to prevent soil compaction. Use plywood boards to distribute your weight if needed. (Related: How to grow your own survival garden.)

Choose the plants

Grow plants well-suited to your climate and sunlight conditions. Here are some beginner-friendly options:

Annuals – Marigolds, sunflowers and zinnias
Perennials – Daylilies, purple coneflowers and Russian sage
Vegetables – Lettuce, peppers and tomatoes

You can start plants from seeds or buy young plants from a garden center. For beginners, transplants are usually easier.

Plant seeds and water properly

Follow the instructions on seed packets or plant tags for spacing and depth. Water seedlings daily and transplants every other day until they’re established. After that, water deeply once a week, adjusting based on rainfall and soil type. Water in the early morning to minimize evaporation.

Mulch to save time and effort

Mulch helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. Use organic mulches like shredded bark or straw, which also enrich the soil as they decompose. Apply a two- to three-inch layer of mulch around your plants, but avoid covering seeds you want to sprout.

Maintain your home garden

Regular maintenance keeps your garden healthy and productive. Water before plants wilt, pull weeds early and remove dead or diseased vegetation. Support tall plants like tomatoes with stakes or trellises.

Natural pest control for your home and harden

While gardening, you might encounter pests. Instead of reaching for synthetic chemicals, try these natural, non-toxic solutions: Homemade bug sprays for your skin Repel mosquitoes and other insects with a simple DIY spray:

Mix one part lemon eucalyptus or lavender essential oil with 10 parts witch hazel in a glass spray bottle.
Shake well and apply to your skin.

Indoor and outdoor bug spray Keep pests out of your home and yard with this recipe:

Combine 10 to 20 drops each of lavender, lemon, eucalyptus and citronella essential oils with two ounces of distilled water and two ounces of white vinegar.
Shake and spray around doors, windows and outdoor seating areas.

Plant-friendly bug spray Protect your garden without harming your plants:

Dilute a few drops of thyme or garlic essential oil in distilled water.
Spray on plants to repel pests like aphids and mites.

Natural pest control methods are safer for your family, pets and the environment. Ingredients like citronella, garlic, and thyme have been shown to repel insects effectively without exposing you to harmful synthetic chemicals. Starting a garden doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. By breaking the process into manageable steps and choosing low-maintenance plants, you can enjoy the rewards of gardening with minimal effort. And with natural pest control methods, you can keep your home and garden healthy and thriving without relying on harsh chemicals.

Where to buy supplies for your home garden

The Health Ranger Store is committed to helping you grow a home garden that is free of GMOs and pests. That’s why we’re proud to introduce the All-In-One Seed Kit, DEET-Free Bug Defender and DEET-Free Bugs Away Spray. The All-In-One Vegetable Seed Kit from the Health Ranger Store contains organically grown seeds that are sure to exceed your expectations. Each emergency heirloom herb seed kit comes with our seed growing guide uniquely designed to teach you how to grow and harvest your produce and save your own seeds. The All-In-One emergency seed kit includes seeds for both vegetables and herbs, and it has a total of 50,000 seeds for various crops such as corn, peas, squash, watermelon and more. If you want to keep your home free of pests, try Health Ranger Select DEET-Free Bug Defender. This bug spray is specially formulated to protect your home from pesky insects while being safe to use around pets, kids and adults. DEET-Free Bug Defender's key ingredient is cedar oil, a fragrant and pet-friendly oil sourced from Texas cedar, which has natural insect-repelling properties. Our all-natural, pet-friendly formula takes out insects at all stages of life, from eggs to adults. It can also keep away virtually all kinds of pesky insects, such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, bed bugs and cockroaches. Health Ranger Select Bug Defender is non-China, DEET-free and extensively lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology. Our pet-friendly formula safely kills pesky insects without harming you, your loved ones or your pets. Lastly, you can keep your home pest-free with Health Ranger's DEET-Free Bugs Away Spray. Health Ranger’s Bugs Away Spray is 100 percent natural and contains absolutely no DEET, artificial fragrances or synthetic chemicals. For your safety, it is also extensively lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology. Health Ranger's Bugs Away Spray is formulated with pure essential oils that possess natural insect-repelling properties, such as citronella, eucalyptus, cedarwood, catnip, lemongrass, lavender, tea tree, geranium and patchouli essential oils. Visit OrganicFarming.news for more tips about home gardening and natural pest control. You can also visit Health Ranger Store and Brighteon Store to find more supplies for your homesteading needs. Click on this link for a detailed spring prep checklist. Watch the video below to learn more about the benefits of using a DEET-Free Bug Spray at home. This video is from the Health Ranger Store channel on Brighteon.com.

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