Leaves and gardening stuff on a concrete background.

Starting your gardening journey can be a daunting task, especially when you’re not sure what you’re doing! We have curated a list of 5 of the most valuable gardening tips for those who are just starting out, or just need a little extra help knowing what to do.

Choose the right plants for your soil

Before you start to buy plants, make sure to check your soil type. Is it light and sandy? Flowers like geraniums and lupins are your best bet. Heavy and clay? Crab apple trees and honeysuckle will work well with this soil type. If you’re unsure, have a look at what your neighbours are growing!

 

Give plants enough space

As pretty as the displays at the garden centre can be, don’t be too tempted by what they’re selling. Buying too many plants for the size of your beds can mean that any young plants you do plant may not survive. If they do, they will need much more frequent watering and fertilizing, as well as being much more susceptible to diseases. Make sure to check the labels on your plants to see what they need before you buy them.

 

Be gentle with new plants

Never remove new plants from pots by their stems – if you do, you’re likely to break or bruise them. Instead, gently squeeze the sides of the pot and turn it upside down, using your other hand to catch the plant as it slides out.

 

Water mindfully

Plants live outside and draw natural moisture from the earth without the need for daily watering. If you’re not sure if your plants need watering, poke your fingers about 2 inches into the soil. If it’s very dry, give your plants a water. Plants in pots are an exception to this rule, as there are a lot of them in a finite amount of soil, so they will need regular watering.

 

Be brutal with weeds

Weeds are a gardener’s worst enemy, and regular weeding needs to happen to ensure you stay on top of it. Make sure you remove all of their roots, and if there are seeds clinging to the weeds, don’t put them in your compost bin: you’ll just end up re-seeding your weeds when you use the compost!