22 Easy Gardening Tips for Beginners

Gardening is fun! However, it’s not always easy for many beginners to start.

Many starters had picked and dropped the thought a few times when they learned of the work involved. 

While gardening requires effort, it’s not hard if you do it the right way.  

As a comprehensive piece, I’ve included all the processes and work involved to make your gardening dream a reality. 

Here are the 22 easy gardening tips for beginners to obtain rock-solid success: 

The 22 Easy Gardening Tips for Beginners

1. Know Your Region

As a beginner, this is the first thing to find out. Why? 

Your success as a gardener begins with knowing what plant or crop will do well in your region. 

How do you verify this? 

Using the USDA’s plant hardiness zone indicator is a great way to start. 

The map indicates 11 varying climate zones in the United States, measured by the mean annual intense minimum temperature. 

Another excellent indicator is plant labels and seed packaging. 

These will give you hints on what grows best in your region. 

So, if you’ve figured out what grows best in your region, let’s head to the next tip. 

Hints

• Check USDA’s plant hardiness zone indicator
• Pay attention to plant labels and seed packaging 

2. Buy Essential Gears

Now, at this stage, without the right tools, you can get deep into serious problems. 

Therefore, you must be sure you have the necessary tools at your disposal. 

As a beginner, here are a few tools that you must have at hand:

• Breathable, water-resistant gloves 
• A garden fork 
• Watering wand or watering can 
• Rake 
• Spade 
• A hand trowel 
• Hoe 
• Pruners 
• Loppers 
• Hose
• Wheelbarrow 

These essentials are a must-have even before you start your trip at all. 

3. Pick the Right Site

It’s one thing to understand what grows well in your region; it’s another thing to cite your garden in the right location. 

This month, my Dad and I worked on a new garden behind a new apartment. 

I objected to the first sighting. And he obliged. You might have wondered, why did I object to it? 

The type of plant we wanted to grow requires sunlight, so it won’t make sense to keep it under shade. 

The point? 

Since plants’ needs vary, you have to figure out what your plant needs. 

Does it need shade or direct sunlight? 

To get that, you’d have to check your plant package. 

Furthermore, the location where you want to place your garden mustn’t be out of sight. 

Of course, you’ve heard “out of sight is out of mind,” right? 

That applies here too. 

When you place your garden where you regularly see them, it will motivate you daily to spend much time on it and keep it close to your heart. 

Hints 

• Verify the need of your plants—More sunlight or shades? 
• Pick a location that isn’t out of sight. 

4. Follow the Sunlight

This requires keen attention because it’s a frequent pitfall for beginners. 

Therefore, you must pay close attention to how the sunlight shines through your yard before fixing the spot for your plants. 

Recalling what I told you about the garden we started this month, I had studied the location for a long time. 

This afforded me the privilege to say, no, this is how we wanted it. 

Take, for example, the majority of edible plants like vegetables, fruits, and herbs desire at least 6 hours of sun for thriving. 

So, if you misjudge how the sun operates in your yard, you are likely bound to fail as a starter. 

Key Point

• Study how the sun shines through your yard

5. Pick a Location Close to Water

One of the reliable gardening tips for starters is to plan a new garden toward a water source. 

The garden I told you was perfectly located right beside the well, and you know what that means? 

No hassle in watering our plants!

If you don’t have a well or tap near, you should get a hose that will take water from a source down to where your garden is.  (that’s where the function of a hose comes in) 

If that won’t be possible, considering all the factors we’ve highlighted, pick a relative location. 

You don’t just want your plant to get thirsty, do you?

By the way, here is a simple watering hint for you: 

When watering, to be sure that your watering isn’t excess or sufficient, dip one finger an inch down into the soil. 

Suppose it’s still dry, water more! If it’s wet, pause until there is a need for it. 

Hint

• Stay near water 
• Use a hose to run water the source to your garden 
• If you can’t get a location near

6. Check the Quality of the Soil 

Yes, you are almost close to your dream as a gardener. 

But here is something you shouldn’t skip at all. 

You need to be sure the soil you are using is healthy and can accommodate plants. 

To test the soil, you might need the help of professionals. Send the sample of the soil to the lab. You will come up with pH levels. 

These pH levels would help you know what the soil can tolerate.

Take, for instance, different vegetables and fruits can accommodate anywhere around 6.5 to 7. 

Of course, that’s different from what eggplants, potatoes, and melons will tolerate. 

If you can’t afford the cost of sending the soil to the lab, buy a cheap home kit for measuring the pH level of your soil. 

Apart from the pH levels that have to be verified, you should also test three specific nutrients. 

These are: 

• Nitrogen 
• Phosphorus 
• Potassium 

If the test comes out low, you might have to work on that deficiency or choose a better location. 

On our part, we didn’t have to verify the Ph level since it’s been verified. 

Keep in mind that your plants will thrive well if they are grown on lands that are well-drained and nutrient-rich. 

Hints

• Test pH levels 
• Confirm nutrient content 

7. Clear the Ground

Having confirmed all these, the real work starts here as a beginner. 

Implementing all the points discussed earlier will set your mind on the right part, giving you confidence that you are working in a great spot. 

To start the clearing process, get rid of any sod covering the region you picked. 

If you desire a quick and excellent result, take it off completely. 

You’ll need a spade to cut the sod into sections.

After cutting, don’t throw away; just stockpile on your compost pile. 

It’s often easier to smother grass using newspaper. That will save time. 

If you want to use this process, start during fall, just before spring planting starts. 

If you have St. Augustin or Bermuda grass, you might want to cover your potential garden with newspapers. 

Then, use your compost about 3 inches layer or combine any soil to cover the newspaper and wait. 

If things go as planned, you will need a minimum of four months for the compost and paper to decompose thoroughly. 

Thus, by spring, you already have a bed ready to plant with no weeds or grass and lots of rich soil. 

Then, what’s next? You know it! 

Advice

• Use a spade to clear sods 
• Add to your compost 
• Spread these papers on your yard 
• Pour thick decompose on it 
• Leave for a minimum of four months 

8. Begin Your Planting

Plants that tolerate cold like kale and pansies can be planted later in winter or autumn. 

For tomatoes and most annual flowers, they are friends of warm temperatures; so don’t plant them during cold weather. 

Wait till the danger of frost has gone in your area. 

For perennials, they are perfect to be planted either mid-autumn or mid-spring. 

There are plants like sunflowers and lettuce that can grow right from seed in the garden. 

However, when buying these products, read the seed packet for the information available regarding the planting time, spacing, and depth. 

If you are a beginner, then you might want to start the adventure of sowing seeds indoors before you hit on the last frost date. 

Some containers available for purchase are designed explicitly for seed-starting and seedling.

Endeavor to follow instructions found on the seed packet and keep those containers under dim lights or on a sunny windowsill if you have no window space. 

Keep seedlings and seeds moist; however, never get them wet, else they’ll rot. 

If you have the budget and not an adventurous gardener, you might just hit the plant shop and buy young plants. 

These are called transplants of set plants. 

Make sure you are buying from a trusted supplier. 

You do well to inquire before you make your purchase. 

When you bring them home, dig holes in a prepared bed based on any instruction received from the seller.  

To take off plants from the housing container, push up from the bottom. 

Suppose you have roots grown into balls. You have to be careful. 

Use fingers or fork to gently untangle some outer roots before you set them into the hole.

Pat them gently where you need them, and soak the soil with water. 

Yet, don’t overdo. 

If space is a big problem for you, don’t worry about growing those plants in pots. 

These include flowers, vegetables, herbs, berries, fruit trees, and shrubs. 

Moreover, when gardening in containers, utilize a pot that’s large enough for hosting the plant. 

Finally, select plants that would only match with growing conditions. 

This means you have to keep plants that are sun-loving in a sunny area. 

Just do your homework and select varieties that will grow well in the area where you live.

That’s one of the incredible gardening tips for gardeners that must be kept at heart. 

Hint

• Grow in containers or transplant 
• Match plants with growing condition
• Stay Organized as you do. 

9. Raised Beds 

Another way gardeners who are just starting can attain success is to invest in a raised garden bed. 

Of course, it can take a deep bite into your investment, but in the long run, it pays even more. 

In that way, you have more liberty to be in control of the soil. Also, you have more privilege to control weeds and pests. 

This is one tip I won’t want starters to take lightly. 

Of course, it doesn’t mean that without it, you are far from success. 

But the actual point is that, it will save you from any sort of frustrations. 

When you apply these techniques, you get varying sets of plants, all grouped in other patches. 

10. Understand Your Frost Dates

Planting too late or early can be catastrophic. 

Okay, I’m sorry for using that word. Well, I’m not sorry. Winks 

Anticipate disaster if you wouldn’t pay attention to the last mean spring frost date for your region. 

Because failure to understand this might unintentionally lead to the death of plants by taking them out prematurely. 

It is also very vital to understand the first mean fall frost date. 

Else you will get your plants moved indoors or harvested before cold damages them. 

Therefore, make it your goal to address the first and last frost dates in your area when growing in a container that favors you. 

Hints

• Pay attention to first frost dates
• Pay attention to the last frost dates 

13. Use seed starter kits

With these seed starter kits, you can get your plant to sprout. 

This provides your crop with an excellent condition to germinate. 

And thus, it allows you to start the process indoors when you think it’s too early to plan and then bring them out when it’s time. 

14. Start Small

Most gardeners who are just starting might be in a rush to plant all the crops that come to mind. 

Okay, let me tell you this little secret. 

It will take time and dedication to care for your plants. 

As a result, little but regular is better than large but seldom. 

Did you pick the point? 

Don’t get carried away with the excitement of growing all that came to mind under the sun. 

By starting small, you have the opportunity to care well for each plant the best way. 

15. Keep Crops Aparts  

It’s been studied that plants have personal space bubbles. 

They require sufficient space to grow accurately. 

When placed too close to each other, their growth becomes stunted, and disease can be spread through that. 

There is an exception, though. 

If they are companion plants, you can try it out with these plants. 

16. Utilize Companion Planting

Alright, that excitement that you nurture for planting many plants can be diverted here. 

Companion planting is known as the act of growing varying crops in the same area. 

There are lots of reasons why this is done. 

Some expert gardeners do it to maximize their space; others do that to offer nutrients. 

While for some, it’s done to ward off pests. 

Interestingly, some species do well when they are planted close to each other, whereas some can stunt and impact each other. 

Let’s strike an example: 

When basil and tomatoes coexist, they result in greater yield and help fight flies and mosquitoes. 

Tomatoes paddies also include carrots, onions, lettuce, marigold, spinach, parsley, onions, and celery. 

However, never place tomatoes alongside corn, dill, beets, potatoes, cabbage, rosemary, and potatoes. 

Meanwhile, you have no reasons to limit yourself to growing vegetables or herbs alone. 

Incorporate the attitude of mixing it up. 

But like we said, read about the plant you want to mix and see if they are good companions. 

17. Add Some Mulch

To increase your yield, place a layer of mulch from 2 to 3-inch deep within each plant. 

Mulching will aid in the reduction of weeds by blocking the sun and reducing moisture loss via evaporation. 

18. Label

Labeling is another incredible tip for gardening. 

Even if you’ve planted three to four varying types of seed, it’s excellent to label what the plant is and where you’ve planted it. 

You know why? 

It’s easy to forget! So, be a smart starter. 

19. Feed Plants Regularly

We’ve highlighted how vital it is to start with good soil. 

However, that great soil works well with regular boosts of premium quality nutrition for your crops. 

So, here’s the formula: incredible soil + top-notch plant = astounding success. 

Therefore, after planning, start feeding your garden with water and manure. 

20. Weeding

You will be required to keep weed out. It’s what you know! 

Weeds in your garden will compete with your plant. 

They fight for the same nutrient your plant should have gotten to grow better. 

Therefore, ensuring that growth isn’t retarded but kept on a steady move takes those weeds out! 

21. Practice Crop Rotation

Your plant will have a direct impact on the soil surrounding it. 

Therefore, growing the same plant in an exact spot yearly will lead to annual depleting  of nutrients.

However, with crop rotation, you can replenish this soil throughout your garden. 

Implementing crop rotation will also keep pests off your garden because it will impact their food source. 

So, instead of planting edible yearly, try to plant basil the following year. You will be creating wealth for your soil. 

22. Be patient

Before I wrap up these gardening tips for beginners, I’d love to add that patience is a virtue that must be cultivated. 

With these comprehensive tips, you should now be confident of growing whatever you want in your garden. 

Be reminded that plants respond significantly and develop well with constant care. 

Even at that, you might have to wait two to three months after planting before you get something to eat and share with friends.

Since, you are just starting, it might be a little tricky to wait until it sprouts and they begin to give off their fruits. 

There you go! Twenty-two gardening tips for starters. 

As mentioned earlier, these tips and tricks will make your garden like a pro. 

Do you want some excellent DIY ideas?

Below, I’ve outlined easy gardening Tips DIY; these are what you’ll love: 

Easy Gardening Tips DIY 

To be sure that your seed stays neat and doesn’t get lost or thrown off, keep them in packets. 

Here is a creative option: 

Put them in the sleeves of a small-sized photo album. 

Thus you can turn the pages and verify what you’ve got. And be sure they are protected. 

Also, if you don’t have space for a garden bed, use container gardening. That was what we mentioned earlier. 

Examples of places where you can keep your crops are: 

• Hanging baskets 
• Window Boxes 
• Decorative pots 

These Gardening DIYs let you plant in small spaces. 

Moreover, you shouldn’t neglect to give your container rich soil, good drainage, and constant maintenance. 

Final Thoughts

I’m convinced that these step-by-step easy gardening tips for beginners would help you dig into your gardening adventure like a professional. 

Supercharged with real-life experiences, they will help you get the best from your garden. 

Like you’ve seen, starting your garden is one of the most rewarding things you can invest your time on. 

So, what will you be planting today? 

You can start with vegetable gardens or fragrant flowers. 

You can even do both! 

Of course, you might not have to implement every tip in a day; break your job into small pieces. 

That way, it will be easier to notice your progress and the result of the effort you’ve invested. 

Give it your time!

I’m willing to hear great stories from you; they will surely inspire other upcoming gardeners who are just starting like this. 

Do you have any questions? Drop them below; we’ll attend to them right away!