So what if you’ve only owned house plants, some of which were plastic? Or, you’ve never successfully grown anything except for a chia pet.
Even though it's your first time planting a garden, you don’t need an advanced degree to get started. I’m not one of those gardeners who feels like you have to earn your pruning shears. Anyone can have a garden. And yes, anyone can kill plants, even Master Gardeners!
Plants are relatively forgiving and patient. I’d be terribly dishonest if I didn’t admit to the hundreds of mistakes I’ve made in my own gardens. It’s not pleasant to lose a plant or a tree, but if you keep in mind that you’re not competing with anyone, then you’ll be more likely to enjoy gardening.
So don’t worry too much about right or wrong. It might be best to start out small and expand your garden as you gain confidence. But remember, it’s your first garden! This should be fun!
Beginner Gardening Tips
1. The first thing to do is to figure out which growing zone (also called 'hardiness zone') you live in. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) created a system to provide gardeners with a basic guide to plant hardiness – which is how much winter cold a plant can withstand. The hardiness zones defined by the USDA range from zone 1 (coldest) to zone 13 (warmest). Europe has a map as well.
Why is this important? Well, each plant thrives in a certain zone. If you purchase a plant labeled zone 1-3 and you live in zone 8, your plant will be a crispy specimen in no time.
2. Locate the sunny, part sun, and shady areas of your garden. It's helpful to draw a simple diagram of your garden with notes about where the sun hits during the day. Some plants require full sun, others need shade, and some plants like part sun and shade.
3. Clear debris and weeds from your garden plots. Start with a clean canvas! If you think the soil isn't good, consult with your local nursery or agriculture department for advice on amending your soil.
4. If it's important, decide on a color palette for your garden. Do you only want pink and orange flowers or are you embracing the full rainbow?
5. Now, think about the kinds of plants you want. Consider these features:
- evergreen plants (stay green all year)
- annuals or perennials (or both)? Annuals will only flower for one season and need to be replaced every spring. Perennials will return reliably year after year.
- plants that bloom at different times throughout the year
- tall plants and short plants (a variety is good, and you'll want to plant the tall plants behind the shorter ones
- pollinator friendly plants - would you like to encourage bees, hummingbirds and butterflies to visit your garden?
- how much watering you want to do to keep your plants healthy. I prefer drought tolerant plants because I live in a dry, sunny area of the U.S.
- if you have a pet, be sure to avoid buying plants that are poisonous
6. Find a good nursery that sells healthy plants as well as a wide variety of native plants.
Why native plants?
I'm not a purist when it comes to planting only natives, but I want to have an ample selection of them in my garden. Native plants are those that occur naturally in a region (for example, the desert southwest). These plants were there for a long time. They're healthier and stronger than "intruder" plants.
Native plants are important because they support many native animals and insects. Since the plants and critters evolved alongside each other, the critters have adapted to rely on the plants for food and shelter.
When you go to the nursery, you can ask where they keep their native plants.
7. Learn to read a plant label. I've included here a helpful plant label diagram that shows the common information appearing on plant tags.
How to Read a Plant Label
NOTE: Space or "spread" means the maximum width a plant will reach at its widest point when fully grown. This measurement is crucial for planning your garden layout, because it helps you determine the space needed between individual plants to ensure they have room to grow without overcrowding.
Bloom time is helpful information because it's nice to have a variety of flowers that bloom at different times of the year.
Final Words to the Beginner Gardener
- Don't be afraid to make mistakes! Not one single gardener has managed to avoid mistakes throughout their lifetime of gardening. I've made plenty. Gardening requires patience and forgiveness--forgive yourself when you have to say goodbye to a dead or dying plant.
- Ask for advice from the experts at nurseries or your local agriculture department. They can tell you how to manage pests and identify intruder plants. They can also tell you how to improve your soil so that you can get the healthiest plants growing.
- Have fun! If gardening is torture, you should be looking for a different hobby.
I've had a few gardens in my life. Funny thing is, I didn't start enjoying gardening until I had my first home. Gardening teaches a person how to care for living things and the enjoyment you get when you see your plants thriving and blooming is priceless!
Happy gardening!
The sorry state of my garden before intervention
And a more recent pic - but still a work in progress!
