Gardening for beginners: From planning to maintenance

As a beginner, the prospect of gardening can be daunting. But don’t worry - we’ve got you covered with this comprehensive beginner’s guide to gardening. We cover everything from plant selection to plant care and pest prevention tips.

And if you’re still feeling intimidated, you can always hire a professional gardener through Airtasker to help bring your green space to life.

1. Planning your garden

Before you get down to the local garden center, you need to consider a few things:

Landscaping and layout 

First, assess your living situation and identify what kind of garden you want based on your needs.

• How much space do you have? 

• How much budget and time can you devote to your garden?

• Do you have any disabilities you’ll need to work around?

• Will this space be an entertaining area, children’s play area, or vegetable garden? 

Considering your lifestyle and understanding the purpose of your garden will help you plan the design. 

☞ Helpful read: 

• Gardening tips for the elderly
  
  

☞ Cost guides: 

• Garden design cost guide

• Gardener cost guide

Sun exposure 

“Sun-mapping” is a thing – how much sun does your garden actually get and where? Spend a day outside to find out.

• Assess the sun’s movement throughout the day and identify areas of full sun, partial shade, or full shade. 

• Use this information to decide where to plant sun-loving or shade-tolerant plants based on their specific light requirements.

Different types of gardening

Your garden reflects your personality, showing what you like. Those with large backyards are blessed with their options. But if you live in an apartment with limited space, you’ll need to be smarter with what you have.  

If you’re unsure about the type of garden you want to create, here are some options you can consider.

☞ Outdoor gardening ideas: 

• Vertical garden

• Front garden

• Tropical garden

• Contemporary garden

• Fairy garden

• Cottage garden

• Garden hedges

☞ Small garden ideas and indoor plants:

• How to start container gardening

• Bedroom plants

• Bathroom plants 

Choosing plants to grow

As a beginner, you can start with easy-to-grow plants. Indoor plants are perfect if you live in an apartment or don’t have a yard or balcony. Or, if you love to cook with aromatic herbs, a mini herb garden of parsley, basil, and thyme will leave your garden (and kitchen) smelling great! Meanwhile, garden hedges serve as beautiful fences and are budget-friendly and low-maintenance!

Your choice of plants really depends on your available space and purpose. 

☞ Gardening basics 

• Perennial, annual, and biennial plants: How are they different?
  
  

☞ Different types of plants 

• Easy plants to grow indoors and outdoors

• Easiest vegetables to grow in your home garden

• Best vegetables to grow in winter

• Best perennial plants that bloom in the US

• Best garden trees for small gardens

2. Getting started on your garden 

Photo by Greta Hoffman via Pexels

Below are helpful guides for when you’re ready to set up your garden. After choosing plants and your preferred type of garden, the next step is to gather supplies, roll up your sleeves, and start planting.

Drainage and ground preparation

Don’t forget to consider things like drainage and ground preparation. You don’t want half of your backyard flooded and turning into a mud puddle every time you get a sprinkling of rain. You may need to level the ground, dig it out, or prepare the soil if it’s lacking nutrients. 

If you have a bit of laboring work ahead of you, think about when the right time to do it will be; there’s no point in scheduling a landscaping job in the ‘wet season’; mud and rain won’t allow for much productivity.

☞ Things to know before planting: 

• Essential gardening tools

• Potting mix vs. garden soil

• Perlite vs. pumice 

• First and last frost dates (and why they matter)

☞ How-to guides: 

• How to level an uneven lawn

• How to remove hedges

• How to propagate plants

• How to start a herb garden

• How to start a vegetable garden

• How to grow vegetables in your apartment

• How to start a simple hydroponic garden at home

3. Tending to the garden 

These guides will teach you how to care for and maintain your garden. Learn all about various activities such as watering, weeding, pruning, and nurturing your plants.
 

☞ Garden maintenance guides: 

• Garden maintenance checklist

• Common garden pests and how to prevent them

• Why you should mulch your garden

• Lawn care calendar

☞ How-to guides: 

• How to weed a garden

• How to trim hedges

• How to trim bushes

☞ Cost guides: 

• Garden maintenance cost

• Garden weeding cost

• Lawn mowing price guide

Maintaining your garden throughout the year  

Changing temperatures and seasons affect plant growth. While spring and early summer are the best times to plant new crops, you must prepare your garden for the cold once fall hits. For example, you might have to cover your plants with mulch or a floating row cover to keep them warm.

☞ Helpful guides: 

• First and last frost dates (and why they matter)

• Frost protection for plants

• Spring gardening tips

Making a compost pile 

Compost provides organic materials that can be added to soil to help plants grow. Making your own compost pile is healthy for your garden and the Earth since it reduces food and yard waste in landfills. Plus, you can make a compost pile indoors or outdoors! 

4. Setting up a garden shed for safe storage 

A garden shed keeps your tools and supplies organized, protects them from the elements, and provides a sheltered area for gardening tasks. Also, make sure to regularly clean tools to prevent rust and cross-contamination. What’s more, keep your tools sharp to ensure efficient gardening work.

☞ Garden tool storage and maintenance guides:

• Stylish and functional garden shed ideas

• How to build a DIY garden shed

• Garden shed installation cost guide

• Cleaning and sharpening garden tools

5. More garden design inspiration 

Once you’ve blossomed as a gardener, you can explore ways to make your garden cozier and more beautiful. From garden edging and paths to canopy ideas, we’ve got you covered!

☞ Stylish and functional garden design ideas:  

• Garden canopy ideas

• Garden edging

• Garden paths

• Garden steps

• Garden screening

• How to lay sleepers for garden edging

Make money with your gardening skills 

If you show your garden some love, it will return the favor with lush foliage and beautiful blooms. And while this guide can help you set up your garden, why stop there? You can take your new-found gardening skills to the next level – by turning them into a source of income through Airtasker.

☞ Learn more: 

• 25 Ways to make money gardening 

• Profitable gardening skills

• How to become a professional gardener

Ready, set, grow!

Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or a newbie, there’s always something new to learn. Keep experimenting, trying out new plant varieties and gardening methods, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. You can easily connect with a local professional gardener through Airtasker. 

With hard work, patience, and a little bit of luck, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful and bountiful garden that you can be proud of.