I was asked a little while ago, "What is the best way to start a garden for beginners?". It got me thinking, mostly because I sort of tossed myself into gardening out of a fascination with nature, not necessarily a desire to beautify my yard.
I suppose, if you were just now getting into gardening, that you would like to know the very basics of what starting a garden requires. And with that said, there is no way I could cover it all in a single blog post. But I like a challenge, so I went for it. Below is at the most basic level, the tidbits needed to start a garden.
If you prefer more of a more hands on approach with planning and design support, check out my up coming course, "The Eco Garden Masterclass: From Planning to Planting".
Leaping into the world of gardening? It's a wild ride of earth, seeds, and the thrill of seeing your first sprout. Don't worry if it feels like you're navigating a jungle of information. Just take it one shovel at a time and you'll soon be a natural!
Here's a straightforward guide to help you get started.
Choose the Right Location
Sunlight: Find a spot that gets at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day for most vegetables and flowers. Shade-loving plants will do well with less.
Water Access: Make sure your veggie garden is close to a water source for easy watering.
Native Plants: There are many suitable plants for any condition around your property, the trick is to find the right ones. Remember to keep these conditions in mind while you search, water needs, light needs, soil type needs, location, and weather (wind).
Start Small
Size: Begin with a small garden plot or a few containers. This keeps things manageable and gives you time to learn without feeling overwhelmed.
Container Gardens: If you're limited on space, try container gardening using pots or raised beds.
Plants: Don't feel presure to have to start with full spread of native plants. Picking one or two to start with is perfectly fine.
Pick the Right Plants
Beginner-Friendly Plants: If you're planning on growing veggies, choose easy-to-grow plants like tomatoes, beans, and basil. Remember you can use marigolds for ground cover and a slight pest control for vegetable gardens.
Native Plants: For eco-friendly gardening, focus on native plants that require less maintenance and water. These will depend on your location, but I recommend starting with mountain mint, weeping onion, milkweed, boneset, asters, and cardinal flowers.
Test and Prepare the Soil
Soil Testing: Check your soil quality with a test kit or through a local extension service to determine its pH and nutrient content.
Soil Amendment: Add compost or organic matter to improve soil structure, fertility, and drainage.
Do Not Try To Understand Your Planting Zone
Native plant gardeners don’t need to worry about USDA planting zones because native plants are already adapted to the local climate and conditions of the region where they naturally grow.
Here’s why:
Native Plants Are Adapted to Local Conditions
Native plants have evolved to thrive in the specific climate, soil types, and weather patterns of their region. This means they are naturally suited to survive extremes in temperature, drought, humidity, and rainfall typical of their area without the need for extra care.
USDA Zones Focus Only on Winter Hardiness
USDA Hardiness Zones are based solely on average minimum winter temperatures and don't account for other important factors like soil type, rainfall, humidity, or summer heat. Native plants have already adapted to the full spectrum of local conditions, not just winter cold.
Local Ecosystem Support
Native plants are also a crucial part of the local ecosystem, providing food and habitat for wildlife such as pollinators, birds, and insects. This makes them more resilient and beneficial to the environment compared to non-native species, which may need additional attention and care to thrive outside their natural range.
Less Maintenance
Because native plants are suited to local conditions, they typically require less watering, fertilizing, and pest control than non-natives. This makes them more forgiving and easier to manage, even when factors like the USDA hardiness zone aren’t ideal for certain garden plants.
Resilience to Local Pests and Diseases
Native plants have also developed natural defenses against many pests and diseases that are common in their region, reducing the need for pesticides or intensive management.
Focus on Microclimates Over Zones
Rather than relying on broad USDA zones, native plant gardeners can focus more on the specific microclimates within their garden (like areas with more or less shade, different moisture levels, etc.) because native species often occupy a variety of niches within the local environment.
In essence, being a beginner native plant gardener, you don't need to rely heavily on planting zones because native species are already perfectly suited to thrive in your region, which leads to a lower-maintenance, more sustainable garden.
Plan Your Layout
Spacing: Plan where each plant will go, keeping in mind the space each one needs to grow. Overcrowding leads to poor growth and disease. Yet under-crowding will cause more need for maintenance.
Companion Planting: Learn about companion planting to help certain plants grow better together, reduce pests, and boost productivity. Though mainly used for veggie gardens, it can work to your benefit for native plant communities too.
Watering Basics
Check before you water: To save you time and water, always check the soil 2-4 inches down before you water any garden.
Deep Watering: When watering is needed, water deeply but less frequently to encourage strong root systems. Meaning, don't let the water runoff where you didn't intend it to sink in. You want the infiltration to happen at the plant's roots. Aim to water in the morning to reduce evaporation and fungal growth.
Mulch Your Garden
Use organic mulch like straw, grass clippings, or leaves to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and keep the soil temperature stable.
Start with Seeds or Transplants
Seeds: Start seeds indoors or directly sow them in the garden, depending on the plant and climate.
Transplants: Purchase seedlings from a local nursery for quicker results if you're eager to see growth.
Cuttings: If you are both brave and patient, try starting a plant from a cutting. Here is a link to my last post that will get you started on how to grow your own native plants through cuttings. The Newbie's Playbook for Snagging Native Plants from Cuttings: A Fun and Foolproof Way to Grow!
Stay Consistent and Be Patient
Regular Maintenance: Water when needed, check for pests, and prune as needed. Gardens take time to establish, so be patient and enjoy the process. But remember, not all insects are pests. Beneficial Insects for the Garden: Nature's Best Pest Control and Pollinators
As you gain confidence, you can expand your garden, experiment with new native plants, and even dive into more sustainable gardening practices like composting and water conservation.
Ready to learn more?
Mark your calendars -
A NEW online master class launches November 4th!
The Eco Garden Masterclass: From Planning to Planting:
Basics and step-by-step instructions for creating a low-maintenance landscape
Focus on enhancing suburban wildlife habitats
Includes expert insights, demonstration videos, and professional planning resources
Prepare to get your hands dirty and immerse yourself in the art of gardening!
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Photos taken by Amanda Ross
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