Venturing into gardening for the first time can be overwhelming, but the specialists are here to help.

Starting a garden from scratch is a daunting task, especially for a beginner – but it doesn’t have to be.

Whether it’s an unfamiliar garden in a new home or a long-forgotten flower bed, your end goal will be the same – to transform your garden into an outback oasis. But with so many plants out there and tasks to get done, knowing where to start can seem overwhelming.

In a bid to help get more Brits into gardening this National Gardening Week, leading bulb retailer J.Parker’s has shared some top tips for novices. One place the experts recommend starting with is the soil by checking that it’s is up to scratch – and this can be done with a nifty kit that won’t break the bank.

Before setting down any routes, gardeners should first check the soil’s PH balance, as this level determines which plants will grow best – and the ones that won’t flourish. Experts say that the best way to do this is by using a soil tester kit, which costs as little as £6.79 on Amazon.

“Different plants thrive in different soils, whether acidic or alkaline. Finding out the pH of your garden soil will help you decide which plants to introduce to your garden. Most garden centres sell DIY soil tester kits, but you can also get them online,” said Hannah Rowson, Assistant Garden Centre Manager at J.Parker’s.

As well as soil testing kits, which require samples of soil be taken and tested with PH strips, gardeners can also opt for a more high tech gadget.

A soil PH meter, which runs for £6.99 on Amazon, is a device that gives readings of dirt by simply sticking it into the ground. There can be found at most outdoor retailers, with one available from B&Q for £6.99.

Hannah continued: “These cost around £6 and can save you money in the long run as plants will be more likely to thrive if grown in the right soil conditions. Meaning that money isn’t wasted on replacing struggling plants.”

Hannah also shared her favourite beginner plants for each soil type: “For alkaline soils, I recommend plants such as lavender, honeysuckle, Achillea and Clematis. Plants such as Azaleas & Rhododendrons, daffodils, marigolds and begonias are perfect for acidic soils.”

Another must for beginner gardeners is ensuring they have the right tools to tend to their outdoor space. Think hand spades, forks, and watering cans. All ideal for starting out, especially if you have just a courtyard with containers.

“If you know you’ll have some big clumps of soil to contend with, you could even invest in a large fork and spade to make the job easier,” Hannah suggested.

Finally, Hannah recommends that beginner gardeners take some time to research different planting methods to avoid disappointment.

She added: “Every plant you buy will have specific planting and growing needs. For example, the way you plant tulip bulbs will be different to how you’d plant dahlia tubers.

“Spending some time getting to grips with these will help to keep your plants happy, encouraging them to thrive and saving time in the long run.”