Gardening for beginners - 10 tips (2024)

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Gardening is fun and rewarding. What could be nicer than eating food you have grown yourself or eating an evening meal on the patio surrounded by the fragrance of scented plants you have grown? It can be hard to know when and how to start a garden, but we're here to guide you through the process.

Browse our 10 beginner gardening tips, below.

Get to know your garden

Before you start, it's a good idea to get to know your garden. Check the aspect – is it south-facing or north-facing? Knowing where the sun hits the ground will help you decide what to grow where. It's also worth knowing what soil type you have. Take a look at what's growing – camellias, magnolias and pieris will tell you the soil is acidic, while absence of these suggests a more alkaline soil. Doing a soil test will further help you know your soil, and therefore what plants you can grow.

More gardening tips on getting to know your garden:

Plan your garden

Sitting down and planning your garden is a great starting point. This way you can work out what to grow where, rather than getting carried away at the garden centre and ending up with a jumble of plants that don't look good together and might not suit your growing conditions. Planning will also enable you to use colour and structure wisely, which will help you create a garden that looks great throughout the year.

More gardening tips on planning your garden:

Learn how to plant

Planting your plants properly will ensure they grow well and live for a long time. Make sure you take time to weed and prepare the soil before planting, and add mulch or fertiliser where necessary. If you're unsure how to plant something, look online for instructions rather than just hoping for the best. Trees planted too deeply will never thrive, and root-balls that sit proud of the soil surface will dry out quickly, leading to the eventual death of the plant.

More gardening tips on planting:

How to sow seeds indoors
Nine tips for seed sowing success
Gardening for beginners: how to plant
Gardening for beginners: container gardening

Feed and water plants regularly

Knowing when and how to water plants is the difference between them living and dying. As a general rule, water the root ball rather than the leaves, as it's the roots that absorb the water. Soaking the rootball every week is better than watering a little bit every day. Feeding is also important - generally you should be looking at feeding every fortnight during growing season (that's spring and summer), although you will need to feed more if growing in containers.

More on watering and feeding your plants:

Watering plants effectively
Garden guide to summer watering
Feeding and watering plants in pots
Feeding plants
Making comfrey liquid fertiliser

Start small

When starting a new veg patch or allotment, it can be tempting to take it all on in one go. It's much better to do a little bit at a time. You can easily cover areas you don't want to cultivate with cardboard or black plastic, to stop weeds growing, while you work on a different area.

More gardening tips on creating a veg patch:

Starting a new vegetable patch
How to start an allotment
How to grow vegetables – beginner veg to grow

Keep an eye on pests

Most garden pests don't do much harm to plants and can be left alone - there are plenty of natural predators that will keep them in check. However, sometimes pest populations can become an infestation, and you need to act. Keeping an eye out for increasing numbers of pests like aphids, slugs and snails, will help keep your plants safe, and save you a lot of heartache.

More gardening tips on dealing with pests:

How to control slugs organically
How to deal with aphids
Organic pest control

Make use of compost

Composting kitchen and garden waste is good for the environment, wildlife, your purse and also your garden. Let the waste break down for a year and then use it as a mulch around the base of plants in your garden and veg patch.

More gardening tips on composting:

Which type of compost bin is best?
How to turn your compost
How to mulch beds and borders

Don't be afraid to prune

Pruning plants can seem like a daunting job, but if you learn how to do the job properly, you'll be rewarded with plants that look good, grow well, and they're likely to flower and fruit better, too. The key to successful pruning is to know when to prune, and follow guidance on how to make the cuts and shape the plant. We've got plenty of pruning step-by-step guides and videos to look though – here are some for starters:

How to winter-prune clematis
Tips for pruning holly
When to prune roses
Year-round garden pruning guide
Five plant types to prune in autumn

Be kind to wildlife

Many of those new to gardening see wildlife as the enemy - insects and their larvae defoliate plants, birds eat our fruit and mice nibble our pea and bean seeds. But wildlife can be useful in the garden, too. Birds eat a varity of garden pests, including slugs and snails, aphids and caterpillars. Bees pollinate our food crops. A garden wouldn't be half as enjoyable without its wildlife - from frogs and toads, to hedgehogs, bees, butterflies and birds. Creating habitats for them and learning to share your garden with them, is the key to enjoying your space.

More gardening tips on wildlife gardening:

Top 10 plants for birds
10 ways to help hedgehogs
The best flowers for bumblebees

Enjoy your garden

Don't forget to enjoy your garden. Make sure you take time to sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labour. Create a seating area where you can sit and read or eat with friends and family. Plant borders you can enjoy from a window, and hang bird feeders so you can watch their antics.

More gardening tips on enjoying the garden:

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Nine ideas for garden seating
What to feed the birds all year round
Fast-growing plants for screens

As an expert and enthusiast, I have access to a vast amount of information on various topics, including gardening. While I don't have personal experiences or emotions like humans do, I can provide you with factual information and tips related to gardening.

Getting to Know Your Garden

Before starting a garden, it's important to familiarize yourself with your garden's characteristics. Understanding the aspect (south-facing or north-facing) will help you determine which plants will thrive in different areas. Additionally, knowing the soil type is crucial for selecting appropriate plants. For example, the presence of camellias, magnolias, and pieris suggests acidic soil, while their absence suggests a more alkaline soil.

Planning Your Garden

Planning your garden is essential to create a visually appealing and well-structured space. By planning ahead, you can decide what to grow where, ensuring that plants complement each other and suit your growing conditions. This will also enable you to use color and structure wisely, resulting in a garden that looks great throughout the year .

Planting Tips

Proper planting techniques are crucial for the long-term success of your plants. Before planting, make sure to weed and prepare the soil. It's also important to follow instructions for planting specific plants, as incorrect planting depth or positioning can harm their growth. For example, trees planted too deeply may not thrive, while root-balls that sit above the soil surface can dry out quickly, leading to plant death.

Watering and Feeding Plants

Knowing when and how to water plants is essential for their survival. As a general rule, it's best to water the root ball rather than the leaves, as the roots absorb the water. Soaking the root ball thoroughly once a week is generally better than watering a little bit every day. Feeding plants regularly is also important, especially during the growing season (spring and summer). However, the frequency of feeding may vary depending on whether the plants are grown in containers or in the ground.

Starting Small

When starting a new garden, it's often better to start small rather than taking on too much at once. By focusing on a smaller area, you can give proper attention to each section and gradually expand your garden over time. You can cover areas you don't want to cultivate with cardboard or black plastic to prevent weed growth while you work on other areas.

Dealing with Pests

Garden pests can sometimes become a problem and harm your plants. While many pests can be left alone as natural predators keep them in check, it's important to keep an eye out for increasing pest populations. Common pests include aphids, slugs, and snails. Taking action when necessary can help protect your plants and prevent damage.

Composting

Composting is an environmentally friendly way to dispose of kitchen and garden waste while benefiting your garden. Allowing the waste to break down for a year and then using it as mulch around the base of plants can improve soil quality and provide nutrients for plant growth .

Pruning

Pruning is an important gardening task that can improve the health and appearance of plants. Learning proper pruning techniques, including when to prune and how to make cuts, can result in plants that grow well, flower better, and bear more fruit. There are various resources available, such as step-by-step guides and videos, to help you learn how to prune different types of plants.

Creating a Wildlife-Friendly Garden

While some gardeners may see wildlife as a challenge, wildlife can actually be beneficial to your garden. Birds, for example, eat garden pests like slugs, snails, aphids, and caterpillars. Bees play a crucial role in pollinating food crops. Creating habitats for wildlife and learning to share your garden with them can enhance your gardening experience and contribute to a thriving ecosystem.

Enjoying Your Garden

Lastly, don't forget to enjoy your garden! Create a seating area where you can relax, read, or dine with friends and family. Plant borders that can be enjoyed from a window and consider hanging bird feeders to observe the antics of birds. Taking time to appreciate your garden and the fruits of your labor is an important part of the gardening experience .

I hope these gardening tips help you get started and enjoy the process of creating and maintaining your garden!