Have you decided to try your hand at gardening but need help figuring out where to start? The great thing about gardening is you can learn as you grow, but there are some tips that can make the process much easier and increase the survival rate of your plants and flowers.
How to start gardening for beginners
We spoke with the experts to provide the very best gardening tips for beginners, so you have the skills and knowledge you need to grow whatever garden you desire.
1. Make friends with fellow gardening experts.
“As with any new hobby, gardening can be intimidating for beginners. But, like anything new, jumping in headfirst is usually the best way to get started,” says Nathan Heinrich, horticulturist and botanical designer.
Not sure exactly how to connect with experts? Heinrich says social media is the best place to find gardening professionals. YouTube, Instagram and Facebook are all excellent resources to find experts who will give new gardeners great (and free!) tips to get started.
2. Grab gardening tools and gear.
Before you start your gardening project, you need to get the proper gardening tools and gear. Having the right tools for the job will make gardening much easier and protect you from thistles, thorns, and other hazards.
“Gardening tools like trowels, pruners, and watering cans are essential,” says Jane Dobbs expert gardener and gardening team lead at Allan’s Gardeners. “And don’t forget to wear gloves and knee pads when gardening.”
3. Pick the right spot.
Depending on where you live and the yard space available to you, there are a couple different ways to choose the best spot (or spots) for your garden. If you have lots of healthy yard space to choose from, you can pick a garden spot based on the plants and flowers you want to grow. Or, if your options are more limited, you may need to pick the plants and flowers based on the garden plot you have available.
Dobbs advises, “For newbie gardeners, succulents, herbs, and perennials are great choices. The plants don’t mind a little neglect and are easy to look after.”
4. Choose plants that are easy to grow.
Melvin Cubian, a certified botanist and gardening expert for the PlantIn App, says that while gardening for beginners can be challenging, you can increase your chance of success by opting for simple plants whose cultivation methods are not laborious or time-consuming.
“It is best to choose salad greens such as lettuce, kale, chard, spinach, and other leaf vegetables,” he says. “Herbs like chives, sweet basil, and mint are also non-demanding crops.”
5. Get the soil right.
Dobbs says that good soil makes a great garden. Having a basic understanding of the soil type makes planting easier. Every soil type needs attention, whether it’s sand that drains fast or clay that retains moisture.
“When choosing soil, think about your plants’ specific needs, like drainage and pH. Testing your soil’s pH and nutrients will help you create the perfect growing environment. Get soil samples from different parts of your garden. pH testers can tell you your soil’s pH.”
6. Learn how to sow seeds.
Dobbs says it’s also important to know how to sow seeds. “It’s all about getting the right planting depth. It’s best to plant small seeds near the surface of the soil, like lettuce or carrots. You will want to plant them about 1 to 2 cm deep,” she informs.
“It’s OK to plant medium seeds deeper, like beans or peas. You can put them about 2.5 cm deep. The seeds of larger plants, like squash and sunflowers, need to be planted deeper. You’ll need to sow these seeds at 5 cm.”
7. Use proper watering techniques and schedules.
“Good watering techniques, like watering at the base of plants, can prevent foliage diseases. The frequency of watering depends on the plant, the soil moisture level, and the weather. Don’t soak the soil, just keep it moist,” Dobbs advises.
8. Start with a simple garden and grow from there.
One of the best tips for beginner gardeners is to start with a simple garden or flower bed. “In the beginning, the key is to chalk up some wins by keeping it simple. This will keep you from becoming discouraged and feeling like you aren’t blessed by the myth of a ‘green thumb.’ Anyone can become a great gardener, just be patient, and don’t get discouraged by plants that don’t thrive on your first try,” Heinrich encourages.
What to grow for beginner gardeners
Cubian says, “Leafy vegetables such as iceberg lettuce, romaine, spinach, chard or cabbage are always a gardener’s favorite. If you decide to up your crops that have a longer cultivation period, choose the ones that are not so finicky such as, zucchini, cucumber, peas, squash, beans, or chili peppers.”
Dobbs says basil grows well indoors and outdoors and is relatively easy to grow from seed. Tomatoes also offer a variety of options, and you can grow them in pots or in the ground.
“The fragrant lavender plant is drought-tolerant and doesn’t need much attention once it’s established. Colorful zinnias are easy to grow from seed, and they’re good for pollinators. You can grow marigolds from seeds, and they’re good for repelling pests. Succulents are easy to care for and require minimal watering, making them perfect for beginners,” she says.
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