Gardening is easier than it looks once you know a few basics: what to plant, where to plant it and how to keep the soil healthy. This guide collects our most useful gardening tips for beginners, from choosing flowers and growing fruit to clever hacks, watering and lawn care.
Gardening basics
- Gardening tricks every gardener should know: tools, spray collars, weed killer and fertilizer
- Gardening hacks that make garden work fun: Epsom salt, citrus peel pots and eggshell seedlings
- Gardening hacks with toilet paper rolls
- Plants to grow side by side: companion planting with zinnias, nasturtiums and marigolds
- How to repot your plants: step by step
- Ways to extend your growing season into fall
- The lazy person’s guide to keeping your garden tidy
What to plant
- Which flowers to plant in your garden: roses, sunflowers, tulips, lavender and marigolds
- Annuals that keep your garden blooming: cosmos, dahlias, petunias and begonias
- Purple flowers for a blooming spring garden: allium, iris, lavender and lilac
- The best plants for your front yard: wildflowers, roses, hydrangeas and hostas
- Types of hibiscus to plant
- Plants to grow in your home garden: tomatoes, eggplant and blackberries
Fruit and vegetables
- Unique fruit trees to grow: banana, kiwi, currants and mulberry
- Dwarf fruit trees for gardens and balconies: apple, pear, lemon and orange
- How to grow your own avocado tree: step by step
- How to grow garlic at home
- An easy hydroponic veggie garden
- Practical strategies for higher quality crops
Succulents, herbs and indoor plants
- Impressive succulent gardens: PVC planters, wagon wheels and tree stumps
- Pretty succulent gardens
- Indoor herb gardens you can make
- An IKEA indoor herb garden
- Air-purifying plants: lavender, snake plant, spider plant and jasmine
- How to design a low-maintenance indoor garden: low-light and high-light plants
- How to care for a bonsai tree
Soil, water and greenhouses
- Using wood chips for organic compost
- A first-time guide to irrigation supplies: drip and spray systems
- When to buy a greenhouse: size, kits, heating and foundations
- Tips for maintaining your greenhouse
- How to start a garden on your balcony
Lawns, hedges and trees
- Methods of lawn care
- Tips for choosing the perfect lawn mower
- Unique ways to shape hedges: stacked, round and boxed hedges
- How to maintain old trees: mulching, bark and roots
Frequently asked questions
What are the easiest plants for beginner gardeners?
Herbs such as mint and basil, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, marigolds, zinnias and most succulents are forgiving, fast-growing and easy to care for.
How often should I water my garden?
Most gardens need a deep watering once or twice a week rather than a little every day. Water early in the morning and check the soil: if the top few centimetres are dry, it is time to water.
Ready to get creative? See our DIY garden ideas and backyard ideas.
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Ideas, guides and real budgets for home, garden and travel, published on World inside pictures since 2013.
