Grow Your Confidence: Top Gardening Tips for Beginners

The prospect of nurturing a flourishing garden can be both exciting and daunting for beginners, fear not! With a few essential tips and a little planning, you can cultivate a thriving green haven, even with limited space or experience. And most importantly don’t compare yourself to other people’s beautiful displays. Everyone has different wants and needs from their garden so it’s as individual and unique as you are. For me, I only ever wanted to grow vegetables much to my Mum’s despair, (who places a lot of emphasis on pretty flowers to use for her indoor displays) I just didn’t see the point of flowers! When I moved into my house five years ago, I dug up the blue bells and snow drops (donated to my Mum!), cut down the tree overhanging the green house and lost the shrubs and flowers so I could plant asparagus, peas and potatoes! Useful plants! However last year I thought that a peony would be nice after all and this year I’m going for the cottage garden look! Anyway, enough about me here’s a little advice….

1. Decide What You Want From Your Garden:

Its important to know what you may want to grow and what time you have to dedicate to your space. Maybe you have a family and want to teach them how to grow and harvest delicious fruit, herbs and vegetables. Maybe you want a pretty looking garden with borders or maybe a low maintenance garden where you have shrubs and plants who come back year after year (or for those who know, aka perennials – can never remember this word!). Maybe you just love garden ornaments and want a garden to show case your garden gnomes! Whatever it is, remember this when at the garden centre so you don’t walk out with a load of things you don’t actually need!

2. Know Your Sunlight:

Sunlight is the lifeblood of most plants. Before you start shopping, assess how much sunlight different areas of your garden receive. Full sun means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, while partial shade offers 3-6 hours. Many vegetables and herbs thrive in full sun, while shade-loving plants like hostas and ferns prefer dappled light. It is also wise to plan where may be the best place to sit in your garden and add a bench or seating area dependent on the sun. I have a north facing garden (meaning it’s in shade for much of the day, as the house is usually blocking the sun) however it’s also very long meaning the best place to sit and get the sun is right at the top of the garden.

3. The Power of Potting:

Limited space? No problem! Container gardening allows you to enjoy the beauty and bounty of a garden on a balcony, patio, or even a windowsill. Choose pots with drainage holes and a size appropriate for the plant's mature size as stated on the label. Choose a multi purpose peat free compost for good drainage and healthy root growth. Remember that pots will need frequent watering in the summer so the bigger the pot, the less moisture it will loose. Wherever possible choose big pots and terracotta also retains their moisture for longer then the plastic ones.

4. Water Wisely:

Over- or under-watering is a common beginner's mistake. Get to know your plants' watering needs. A finger test is a simple trick: stick your finger into the soil. If the top inch is dry, it's watering time. Water deeply and thoroughly, allowing excess water to drain. I suggest using a hose on a low pressure so it comes out slowly - or a watering-can without the rose sprayer, point the water at the base of the plant and allow to dissipate. Why not a rose spray or a hose with a sprayer I hear you ask? Using a spray will water the plant and the surrounding areas, encouraging weeds to germinate and sprout as well as your plants and this approach merely dampens the top layer of soil, rather than allowing the water to go deep into the earth and to your plants roots. Of course, if you don’t have much time then using a spray to water your plants occasionally is fine, but try to get into the habit of watering the base of each plant as you will save water this way too.

5. Befriend Beneficial Bugs:

Not all insects are created equal! Ladybugs, praying mantises, and lacewings are natural predators that help control harmful pests. Attract them by planting beneficial herbs and flowers like dill, fennel, and marigolds (all available at my little shop in Nottingham).

6. Embrace the Mulch:

You will often hear the word ‘mulch’ and to be fair, it took me a while to figure out what is meant and why it’s important. Mulch is a layer of organic material such as shredded bark, old manure or homemade garden compost that is put on the top of your soil. It offers a multitude of benefits such as retaining moisture, suppresses weeds, regulates soil temperature, and enriches the soil as it decomposes. It’s best to mulch from mid- to late spring because the annual weeds have not yet germinated and herbaceous plants are dormant, or in the autumn, as plants are dying back.

7. Start Small and Celebrate Success:

You want to enjoy your garden and not be overwhelmed by the amount of work it takes, therefore don't try to do too much at once. I suggest you begin with a few easy-to-care-for herbs and vegetables such as tomatoes, basil, rosemary or mint. Or perennials (the ones that come back year after year) offering flowers and attractive to pollinating insects such as cone flower, peonies, phlox, day lily’s and lavender. Hopefully witnessing your plants thrive will boost your confidence and inspire you to grow further

8. Embrace the Learning Curve:

Gardening is a journey of continuous learning – and don’t I know! Don't be discouraged by setbacks and remember every season brings new experiences and opportunities to refine your skills. Research online, consult gardening resources at your local library and connect with your friends and family and you will pick up tips along the way.

Bonus Tip: Grow what you love to eat! I find there's immense satisfaction in harvesting fresh, homegrown produce for your table.

With these tips and a little dedication, you'll be well on your way to cultivating a thriving garden that brings you joy, beauty, and perhaps even a taste of homegrown goodness!