Beginner's Guide to GardeningFor beginners, gardening can be intimidating. It's best to start small and work to progress.Consider cultivating vegetables that are easy to grow, like beans, peas and radishes. Take a stroll around the garden each day particularly when the watering system is on. This will help you spot problems early, when they are small and manageable.Select Your Plants CarefullyAs a novice gardener you should select plants that are easy to cultivate and require little maintenance. Avoid tropical plants, as they are not likely to thrive in your climate. Instead, pick plants or flowers that thrive well in your region. For example, if you live in a warm and sunny region, you can plant easy-to-grow veggies like peppers and herbs like rosemary. If you have a shady area in your yard, plant a flowering groundcover such as the lilyturf or thyme, to fill in the space.You can also grow flowers and herbs that attract butterflies and hummingbirds into your backyard to provide additional enjoyment. When choosing plants, it is also beneficial to consider the amount of time you would like to spend tending to your garden. Certain plants require more attention than others, and some require regular weeding or pruning.One of the most frequent mistakes that beginners make is to plant too much. It is better to begin with a small garden and gradually increase the size instead of trying to tackle too much at once. If you want to grow a vegetable garden for your family and yourself, only plant the vegetables that you'll consume. It's also a good idea to avoid growing vegetables that are difficult to grow, like squash or corn.Know Your Soil TypeWhen you begin a garden, it's important to think about what plants will thrive best in your soil. Certain plants require particular conditions like moist and rich soils, while others prefer sand or clay-based soils. raised garden beds of soil you have in your yard will impact the amount of fruits and vegetables you can cultivate. Try the "finger-test" to determine the kind of soil you have. First, you need to wet the dirt with a few drops and rub it between your fingers. Clay soil is sticky and leaves a slimy layer on the tips of your finger. Sandy soil has coarse particles that crumble easily. Silty soil is fine while peaty soil can be described as spongy.The ideal soil is loamy that is a well-balanced mix of sand, silt and clay. This type of soil is perfect for lawns, gardening and shrubs. It is moisture retaining and rich in nutrients. It it warms quickly in summer and spring, and is easily cultivated. It is also acidic. If your soil isn't loamy and has organic matter, adding it can improve its characteristics.Don't forget about WaterIf you're planting vegetables, flowers or both keep in mind that plants require regular watering. For beginner gardeners, this may seem like a lot of work if you're not used to it, but it is vital to the health of your plants.Ensure your new garden is placed near a water source and you will not have to go on long walks utilizing the hose or carrying buckets to fill them. Also, plan to water your garden every week (depending on weather conditions). If you water your garden, soak it instead of merely watering it. The aim is to moisten up the ground to ensure that there is always enough water.If you're planning to plant your vegetable garden, select crops that are easy to cultivate for beginners. For instance, radishes and peas are quick to grow and produce delicious fresh food. Sunflowers, Nigella, and pansies are low-maintenance and easy flowers. You should steer clear of more complicated flowers like lilies and roses until you've mastered the art of gardening . Be sure to check that your chosen plants are suitable for your climate. This can be seen on the plant label or by looking through your gardening guide.Mulching is crucial!Many gardeners imagine wheelbarrows and shovels with dust-covered arms when they think of mulch. A good layer of mulch, if placed correctly, could be beneficial for your flowers or fruit trees.Mulch is an excellent way to keep the soil moist and suppress weeds. It also improves the health of the soil as time passes by introducing organic matter. It can help to hold sandy soils together and break up clay soils. It is a habitat for beneficial insects and makes the landscape appear more attractive.A layer of mulch laid well can also regulate soil temperatures and make them cooler on hot summer nights and warmer on cold spring and fall evenings. This is beneficial to the plants, since it helps them absorb water more easily.Mulch shouldn't be sprayed too thickly around seedlings who are young or plants that trail, like thyme and strawberries (remember to remove the roots of dandelion prior to applying mulch). The ideal thickness is 2 to three inches for smaller plants, and three to four inches for trees and shrubs. The most common organic materials are hay or straw wood chips, shredded bark, shredded leaves, grass clippings and compost.Don't Forget About FertilizingGardening isn't a stroll in the park, and this is true for all levels of gardeners. Fertilizing is a crucial task that can help you to take care of your plants' needs. It can seem like an overwhelming task for novice gardeners, but it's pretty easy - and essential!Fertilizing doesn't only mean giving your plants nutrients. It's about timing. You should fertilize during the growing period that is from spring to the autumn.Use organic or environmentally grown fertilizers. There are raised garden beds at local gardening stores and online retailers.Don't forget that there are vegetables that are easier for novice gardeners to cultivate than others. Peas, radishes, and other vegetables are easy to grow and don't require any support (just bamboo canes). If you're looking for something little more involved, try strawberries, blueberries or tomatoes. They all require some support however they're not difficult for beginners to cultivate. Just remember that they will need regular watering and weeding, and be ready for a lot of work!Don't forget about Pest ControlA healthy garden attracts beneficial insects that eat and protect the plants from aphids. This symbiotic partnership is far more efficient than spraying chemicals which can harm both beneficial bugs as well as the negative ones.Many times, gardeners who are new are so excited about their plants that they place them in the ground without taking into account their individual requirements. This can result in overcrowding and incompatibility, and a lack of success. To avoid this, watch the sun throughout the spring, summer and fall to see how much light the plants receive. If you notice a plant that isn't flourishing, move it to another location that gets more sunshine.Regular weeding is also beneficial. Weeds can take nutrients, water and light away from the plants you would like to grow. Therefore, weeding regularly is crucial. Also, if you apply fertilizer, be cautiousoverdoing it could damage the soil's microorganisms and destroy beneficial insects that live in the soil. The best fertilizer is organic, slow-release and not extremely concentrated. Rototilling can be harmful to soil microorganisms. Instead of rototilling, opt for "no-dig" gardening methods which will safeguard the earthworms and other beneficial organisms that enrich your soil.Don't forget about animalsIt's a lot of work to learn about gardening, but it can also be a lot of fun. Once you've got your little patch planted it's a joy to stroll around your garden each day and discover the plants that are growing: tiny tomatoes popping up in a few places and pollinators swarming through the squash blossoms, hummingbirds dancing among the bean plants. It's an amazing feeling to watch something edible grow from your fingers.Once you have mastered the basics of gardening, it's easy for beginners. Find a sunny spot, amend the soil using organic, high-quality materials, then plant seeds or seedlings, and water frequently. Many plants and vegetables can be grown from seed. Even the most difficult plants, such as blueberries can be grown in pots by following the directions on the package.A habitat for wildlife, such as a pond or log stack, is also a great idea. If you have problems with unwanted animals, make sure you keep food and garbage away from their reach (raccoons are particularly adept at raiding rubbish bins) and trim any dead plants or fruits as early as you can. It's a good idea to cut back herbaceous plants such as lavender or thyme once they have finished blooming, which typically occurs in the latter part of summer or early autumn. Also, select native plants that native animals recognize as food sources.