Beginner's Guide to GardeningGardening can be intimidating for novices. It is recommended to start small and then work to progress.Try growing vegetables that are simple to grow, like beans, peas and radishes. Take flower gardening around the garden each day and especially when the watering system is in operation. This will help you spot problems early, when they are small and manageable.Choose Your Plants WiselyAs a beginner gardener, it is essential to select plants that grow easily and require little maintenance. This means avoid plants from tropical regions that are not likely to survive in your climate and choosing flowers, vegetables or herbs that thrive in your climate. If you live in a region that is sunny and warm you can plant easy-to-grow vegetables or herbs like peppers. Or, if flowers garden have a shaded spot in your yard, you can plant flowering ground cover like lilyturf, thyme or meadow rue to fill the space.You can also plant flowers and herbs that attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard to enjoy the extra pleasure. When selecting plants, it's beneficial to consider how much time you want to spend tending to your garden. Certain plants require more care than others, and some require regular weeding or pruning.The wrong amount of garden is one of the most common beginner mistakes. Start small and build up your garden instead of trying to do everything all at once. If you decide to start an herb garden, make sure to plant only the vegetables that you and your family eat. It's also an excellent idea to avoid planting vegetables that are difficult to grow, like squash or corn.Know Your Soil TypeWhen you are planning to plant a garden, it's important to think about what plants will thrive in your soil. Certain crops require certain conditions, like moist and rich soils and others prefer sandy or clay-based ones.The kind of soil you have in your yard will determine how many vegetables and fruits you can successfully cultivate. To learn what kind of soil you have, test the "finger test." First, dampen a handful of your dirt and rub it between your fingers. Clay soil is sticky and leaves a slimy layer on the tips of your finger. Sandy soil is comprised of fine particles that break down easily. Silty soil is fine and peaty soil is soft. garden flower is a great mix of sand and silt. This kind of soil is well for lawns, plants and for gardening. It retains moisture and rich in nutrients. It it warms quickly in summer and spring, and is easy to cultivate. It is also acidic. If your soil is not loamy the addition of organic matter can improve its characteristics.Don't forget about waterKeep in mind that your plants require regular watering, regardless of whether you're growing vegetables or flowers. For those who are new to gardening it may seem like too much work if you're not used to it, but it's essential to the well-being of your plants.Make sure your garden is placed near a source of water which will save you on those long walks with the hose or carrying buckets around to fill them up. Plan to water your garden once every week, depending on the weather. When you do, make sure that you soak the soil rather than just watering it - the aim is to make the soil moister so that there is plenty of water available.If you're planning your vegetable garden, select crops that are easy to cultivate for beginners. Peas and radishes for instance, are simple to grow and produce delicious meals. Sunflowers, Nigella, and pansies make for easy and low-maintenance flowers. Avoid more complicated flowering plants like roses and lilies until you gain some experience. Be sure to ensure that the plant you are considering is zone compatible for your climate. This information is available on the label of the plant or in your gardening guide.Mulching is Important!Most gardeners picture wheelbarrows and shovels covered in dusty arms when they think of mulch. A good layer of mulch, if placed correctly, can be beneficial to your flowers or fruit trees.Mulch is a great way to keep the soil moist and reduce weeds. Organic matter is added to the soil which enhances its health over time. It helps to bind sandy soils and break up clay soils. It is a great habitat for beneficial insects and it makes the landscape more beautiful.A layer of mulch laid well can also help to regulate soil temperatures which makes them cooler on hot summer nights and warmer on cold spring and fall evenings. This is good for plants as it lets them soak more water easily.It is important not to apply mulch too thickly, especially around young seedlings and plants that grow and trail, such as the dandelion, strawberries, and thyme (keep in mind that you must remove the dandelion roots prior to applying the mulch). The optimal thickness is two to three inches for smaller plants and three to four inches for trees and shrubs. The most commonly used organic materials are shredded leaves, shredded wood chips or bark grass clippings, compost.Don't Forget About FertilizingGardening isn't a stroll in the park, and that's true for all levels of gardeners. It is essential to be mindful of the requirements of your plants, and fertilizing is among the tasks. It may be daunting for new gardeners, but it is actually quite simple - and absolutely necessary!Fertilizing isn't just about supplying your plants with nutrients. It's also about timing. It is recommended to fertilize during the growing season, which is spring through autumn.The key is to use organic or eco-friendly fertilizers. You can find a variety of options at local gardening stores and online retailers.Don't overlook the fact that there are vegetables that are more suited to beginner gardeners to grow than others. Peas, radishes and a variety of other vegetables are easy to grow and don't need any support (just bamboo canes). If you're looking for something a bit more involved, consider blueberries, strawberries, or tomatoes. They all require a bit of support but aren't too hard for a beginner to grow. Remember that they'll need regular watering and weeding and be ready for lots of work!Don't Forget About Pest ControlA healthy garden attracts beneficial insects that eat the plants and protect the plants from pests. This symbiotic partnership is far more effective than spraying chemicals which can harm both good bugs and the bad ones.Most gardeners who are new to the hobby are so enthusiastic about their plants that they plant them in the ground without considering their individual needs. This can lead to overcrowding and incompatibility as well as the eventual failure. To avoid this, observe the sun throughout the autumn, spring and summer to see how much sunlight the plants are getting. If you notice that a plant is not thriving relocate it to a location that gets more sunshine.Regular weeding can be beneficial. They steal nutrients, water and light from the plants you wish to grow, so make sure you are weeding regularly. Also, if you apply fertilizer, be cautiousoverdoing it could damage the soil's microorganisms, and destroy beneficial insects that reside in the soil. The best fertilizer is organic, slow-release and not a lot of concentrated. Avoid rototilling the garden, as it is hard on the earth's important microorganisms. Instead of rotating your garden, opt for "no-dig" gardening techniques that protect earthworms and useful organisms that enrich the soil.Don't forget about animals.While the process of learning about gardening can be overwhelming, it's also an enjoyable experience. Once you have a small patch of land, it's enjoyable to stroll around the garden every day and observe what's growing. Tiny tomatoes are appearing everywhere and pollinators are buzzing around the squash blossoms and Hummingbirds are flying around the beans. It's great to watch something edible grow from your fingers.Gardening for beginners is simple once you are familiar with the ground rules: find an area that is sunny and amend the soil using organic material of high-quality, plant seeds or seedlings, and water regularly. Many herbs and vegetables are easy to cultivate from seeds, and even the more difficult plants, such as blueberries, can be grown in pots provided you follow the instructions on their packaging.A wildlife habitat, such as a log stack or pond is a fantastic idea. If you have problems with unwanted animals, make sure you keep food and trash away from their reach (raccoons are especially adept at stealing garbage bins) and trim dead plants or fruits as early as you can. It's a good idea also to trim herbaceous plants like lavender or thyme when they have finished blooming, which usually occurs in the latter part of summer or early autumn. Also, select native plants that native animals recognize as food sources.