Are you a beginning gardener? Maybe you want to plant your first backyard garden and don’t know where to start. These gardening tips will save you lots of time and research!

Gardening seems so difficult, so overwhelming – especially if you haven’t done it before. It takes more than just adding seeds to the ground and hoping the rain does the rest.

And sometimes, all the tips and tricks in the world just overwhelm us, so we don’t do it. Does this sound familiar?

Well, I polled the best parenting and professional bloggers online and asked them to help me this year. I hope their tips will provide you with inspiration and confidence to go out there and create some beauty (and grow some food).

As the seasons change, the transformation of the silver birch tree is a spectacle in itself. In autumn, the leaves turn a vibrant yellow, casting a warm glow across the garden. This tree not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also supports local wildlife. Those looking to experience this magnificent seasonal transformation should consider the stunning selection of garden-enhancing silver birch trees available here.

14 Gardening Tips for the Non-Gardener

Read through these tips and use them when you start planting your garden. This works for herb gardens, vegetable gardens, or flower gardens.

1. Ask For Help

When in doubt, ask the guy at the nursery. Like a real nursery, not just a box store. Those guys know what they are doing. In fact, if you visit a hometown nursery, you’ll receive much better customer service and talk to someone that knows about the plants they are selling.

As you engage with the experts at the nursery, don’t hesitate to inquire about the essential tools that can elevate your gardening experience. A well-equipped gardener is better equipped to bring their green vision to life. The nursery staff can offer recommendations on the right Garden Tools suited for your specific needs, whether it’s cultivating a small balcony garden or maintaining a sprawling backyard oasis.

By integrating the proper tools into your gardening routine, you not only streamline your efforts but also enhance the overall well-being of your plants. So, let your visit to the nursery not only be a source of knowledge but also an opportunity to acquire the essential garden tools that will empower you on your botanical journey.

2. Start Small

In your excitement, you might be tempted to plant a huge variety of different vegetables and herbs. But this is the quickest way to burnout! Instead, make a plan to only grow a few things at first.

Also, plant only things you’ll ACTUALLY eat.  If you don’t like zucchini, don’t plant it. They grow like crazy and you’ll have a ton of zucchini that you won’t know what to do with. (I have a sauteed zucchini recipe that I LOVE!).

3. Pay Attention To Your Area

When you visit a local nursery (vs. a box store) seek out advice on what grows well/easy in your region. Not all vegetables grow well all over America.

This can be pretty confusing at first, which is why starting small is so important.

4. Water In The Morning

Water in the morning. Watering midday is very stressful for the plant since the sun is high, and watering at night can bring on fungal diseases because the plant may sit wet for too long. 

5. Use Non-Toxic Pesticide

This is a really important tip, especially if you have a dog.

Diatomaceous Earth is my favorite non-toxic pesticide. Sprinkle it on beans, especially to stave off the beetles. It works because the bugs eat it instead of your plants, but it’s toxic to bugs. It doesn’t hurt dogs or cats.

Be sure to reapply after rain, because it will cause it to wash away. Additionally, it’s essential to pay attention to plant details like japanese knotweed leaf shape, especially if you suspect the presence of invasive species in your garden, to maintain the health of your plants and the overall garden ecosystem.

6. Plant Fear-Free

What is your favorite thing to eat? Then plant it! Don’t let fear hold you back. Failure is the best teacher of all. Once you learn what didn’t work, you can keep changing what you’re doing until you find out what does work.

Don’t be afraid to plant something – if it doesn’t grow – plant something else.  Replace your stump grinder teeth to make sure your arborist equipment is up to the job this winter.

7. Make DIY Seed Markers

Repurpose old canning lids as seed markers. They are the perfect size, and they won’t blow away in the wind.

I found a fantastic tutorial on The Prudent Garden. They will make your garden look amazing and help you know what you planted.

8. Plant With Your Senses

The next time you plan to plant a full garden or simply replace plants which have bloomed their last time, consider all your senses: Sight, Smell, Taste, Feel and Sound. Rajean, Blomquist

Rajean wrote a wonderful article about this. Basically, plant things that don’t just taste good, but smell good too!

9. Add Fake Flowers

This tip comes from Carrie This Home. She told me, “One little trick my mom does is she uses fake flowers among in-season flowers to add more color and life to landscaping.”

I love this tip! You don’t have to stress yourself out trying to plant flowers that will wilt or fade away, use fake flowers!

10. Use Crushed Eggshells

Add crushed eggshells to the dirt before you plant tomatoes. Why? Because eggshells have calcium in them. And the calcium will feed the tomato plants and help them regulate their water supply.

This one tip can help prevent rot in your tomato plants.

11. Use Untreated Lumber

If you’re going to build a raised garden, remember to use untreated lumber.

Treated lumber has the potential to leak arsenic into your soil, which could then end up in your veggies.

12. Use Quality Potting Soil Mix

Start with a good quality potting soil mix. In most areas, organic potting soil can be expensive, so I’m including a recipe for a homemade potting soil mix you can make (it’s at the end of this post).

The great thing about organic fertilizers is that a little goes a long way and a bag will last you quite a while, depending on the size of your garden.

13. Add Mulch

Once your garden is planted, add mulch around the plants. This keeps them damp and also cuts down on weeds.

14. Involve Friends

Everything is more fun when you do it as a community. Involve your friends, family, or start a TikTok community. Give updates on your garden and chat about what is working and what isn’t.

And to stay motivated, here is a beautiful quote from The Untrained Housewife:

More Gardening Articles

Here are some more articles I’ve written about home gardening:

• How To Create A Garden For Kids
• How To Prepare Your Garden and Patio for Summer
• Best Prepper Foods to Grow in Your Garden