Learn how to plant and care for vegetables, flowers, and more—even if you're a beginning gardener
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Gardening is about finding the right combination of sunlight, fertile soil, and water to make your plants thrive. It's also about fulfilling your passion, so select plants you love. Use the resources here as a starting point, and in no time you’ll have a beautiful garden, no matter what level of gardening experience you have.
On this page:
- GARDENING BASICS
- HOW TO GROW ANNUALS, PERENNIALS, SHRUBS, BULBS
- HOW TO GROW GORGEOUS FLOWERS
- HOW TO GARDEN INDOORS
- GARDEN-INSPIRED DIY PROJECTS
- COMMON GARDENING TERMS
- ONLINE COURSES
GARDENING BASICS
Beginning gardeners are often intimidated by the process of how to start a garden and care for it successfully—after all, there's a lot involved. From amending your soil with high-quality organic matter to pruning shrubs, you'll find answers and advice for essentail gardening tasks.
PESTS, DISEASES, & OTHER GARDEN PROBLEMS
Learn how to safely and naturally deal with common pests, diseases, and weeds that can wreak havoc on your garden.
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HOW TO GROW ANNUALS, PERENNIALS, SHRUBS, BULBS
Learn how to grow different types of plants and their uses in the garden. Understand the differences between them and what growing conditions they do best in.
HOW TO GROW VEGETABLES & HERBS
Many beginning gardeners find the process of growing their own food rewarding, and not as difficult as they anticipated. Whether you’re looking to start with just a few tomatoes or you’re planning to create a full-fledged kitchen garden, doing your homework on how to plant, care for, and harvest your crops will be valuable.
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HOW TO GROW GORGEOUS FLOWERS
Starting a flower garden doesn’t have to be daunting—whether you choose to grow from seed or young plants. Plan your own flower garden, get suggestions for easy-to-grow flowers, and soon you’ll have lovely flowers everywhere.
HOW TO GARDEN INDOORS
When winter arrives, your gardening doesn’t have to stop. Try your hand at growing a few plants indoors and you’ll find that it isn’t too hard. Learn how to keep your houseplants happy with proper care and placement.
GARDEN-INSPIRED DIY PROJECTS
Looking for a fun project? Get how to info for using flowers, branches, and other items from your garden to create clothing, décor, and more.
COMMON GARDENING TERMS
Basic Types of Plants:
- Annual: Plants that grow, flower, set seed, and die all in one growing season
- Perennial: Plants that come back year after year; some are evergreen, some are deciduous
- Shrub: Woody plants that have several main stems; some are evergreen, some are deciduous
Evergreen: Plants that do not go dormant and keep their leaves through winter
Deciduous: Plants that go dormant and drop their leaves in winter
Zone: There are 11 different growing zones in the U.S. and Canada based on the lowest average temperature each area receives during winter. Knowing what zone you are gardening in allows you to pick plants that will withstand the coldest expected temperature for your area. Read more: Zoning in on Hardiness.
Exposure: The amount of sun or shade a plant needs
- Full sun: 6 or more hours of direct sunlight each day
- Partial sun/shade: 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight each day
- Full shade: Less than 4 hours of direct sunlight each day
- Dappled shade: A mixture of sun and shade, usually under an open tree; similar to partial shade
Habit: Refers to the general structure or shape of the mature plant
- Climbing: Plants that climb fences, trellises, or structures (i.e., vines)
- Clump forming: Plants that form clumps of foliage, often spreading to form more clumps
- Mounded: Plants with a rounded shape, usually wider than tall
- Spreading: Plants that are low-growing and spread along the ground, rooting at nodes along the stem
- Trailing: Plants that trail along the ground or cascade out of containers, but do not root from the stem
- Upright: Plants that are taller than wide, with generally straight sides
Height & spread: The estimated size of a mature plant
First or last frost date: The average date for your area for the first frost in fall or the last frost in spring
Native: A plant that has grown naturally over hundreds or thousands of years in a particular area. These plants are well adapted to their native growing conditions (soil, climate, water, etc.) and are beneficial to their local pollinators and wildlife.
Invasive: A non-native plant that becomes established in an area outside it's native region and spreads rapidly, to the point of disrupting the native environment and ecosystem.
For more common gardening terms, see this Dictionary of Gardening Terms from Proven Winners.
ONLINE COURSES FROM JOE LAMP'L
As an expert in gardening, I can provide you with information related to all the concepts mentioned in this article. Gardening is a wonderful hobby that allows you to create a beautiful and thriving garden. Let's explore the different aspects of gardening mentioned in the article:
Gardening Basics
- Garden Soil 101: Learn about the importance of preparing your soil with high-quality organic matter to create a flourishing garden [[1]].
- Garden Fertilizer 101: Understand the different types of fertilizers and learn when and how to feed your plants for a healthier garden [[2]].
- Composting 101: Discover the benefits of composting, what to include, and how to find the right balance for your garden [[3]].
- Mulch 101: Find out why mulching is important, how to mulch, and the best types of mulch to use in your garden [[4]].
- Irrigation 101: Explore different irrigation systems and discover which one is best for watering your garden [[5]].
- A Gardener's Guide to Deadheading: Learn why, how, and when to deadhead your garden plants to promote healthy growth [[6]].
- How to Use Neem Oil: Understand how and when to use neem oil, a natural pesticide, on your indoor and outdoor plants [[7]].
- How to Grow Plants from Seed: Get a head start on your garden by learning how to start seeds at home [[8]].
- How to Create a Container Planting: Discover the art of container gardening and how to create beautiful plant arrangements in containers [[9]].
- 12 Essential Garden Tools: Learn about the basic tools that every gardener needs in their shed [[10]].
- How to Care for Garden Tools: Get advice on daily and seasonal care and maintenance for your garden tools, including cleaning and storage [[11]].
- Organic Gardening Basics: Explore the principles of organic gardening and learn how to create an organically grown garden using natural methods [[12]].
- How to Water Your Summer Garden: Find 13 tips to help you water your summer garden properly, from the best time to water to how to keep moisture in the soil [[13]].
- Prepare Your Garden for Winter: Discover tasks that will help your garden get through winter and prepare for a beautiful spring [[14]].
Pests, Diseases, & Other Garden Problems
- Natural Ways to Get Rid of Aphids: Learn how to eliminate aphids from your plants and garden naturally and safely [[15]].
- 12 Mosquito Repellent Plants: Explore 12 plants that not only add color and fragrance to your garden but also repel mosquitoes [[16]].
- Getting Rid of Grub Worms Naturally: Discover safe and environmentally friendly ways to get rid of grub worms that may be eating your plant roots [[17]].
- Identify and Control Spider Mites: Learn how to keep your indoor and outdoor plants healthy by eradicating these tiny, common pests [[18]].
- How to Get Rid of Powdery Mildew: Find ways to safely and effectively treat and prevent powdery mildew in your garden [[19]].
- Protect Your Garden From Rabbits: Explore all-natural ways to keep rabbits from devouring your garden's plants [[20]].
How to Grow Annuals, Perennials, Shrubs, Bulbs
- How to Grow Annuals: Discover how to use annual plants and flowers to add seasonal personality to your garden [[21]].
- How to Grow Perennials: Learn how to use perennial flowers and plants for year-after-year color in your garden [[22]].
- How to Grow Shrubs: Get a guide to growing gorgeous shrubs that provide structure, winter interest, and seasonal color in your garden [[23]].
How to Grow Vegetables & Herbs
- How to Start a Vegetable Garden: Follow six steps to start your own vegetable garden and grow your own food [[24]].
- Container Vegetable Gardening: Learn how to start a vegetable garden in containers, perfect for patios, balconies, and small spaces [[25]].
- Raised Bed Gardens: Discover how to lay out and build raised beds to grow veggies right at home [[26]].
- 16 Spring Vegetables: Explore a variety of vegetables that you can grow in your spring garden [[27]].
- 15 Best Herbs to Grow at Home: Find out which herbs are easy to grow and can add flavor to your dishes [[28]].
How to Grow Gorgeous Flowers
- How to Start a Flower Garden: Learn how to start a flower garden with advice on soil testing, color choices, and planting flowers for cutting [[29]].
- 21 Easiest Flowers for Beginners: Discover some of the best easy-to-grow plants for your first garden [[30]].
- A Beginner's Guide to Rose Care: Follow ten essential steps for ensuring beautiful rose bushes year after year [[31]].
How to Garden Indoors
- 21 Best Indoor Plants: Fill every room of your home with greenery by choosing versatile, easy-care houseplants [[32]].
- Top 10 Terrarium Tips: Learn how to make a terrarium, including the best plants for terrariums, care, and maintenance [[33]].
- How to Design a Window Garden: Cultivate a window garden to showcase your houseplants, especially during the winter months [[34]].
- How to Force Flowering Branches: Discover how to get branches of flowering trees and shrubs to bloom early in just four easy steps [[35]].
- Forcing Indoor Bulbs: Learn how to prepare bulbs for winter blooms indoors [[36]].
Garden-Inspired DIY Projects
- 12 Easy Garden DIYs: Try out various DIY garden projects, from creating a garden under glass to making a water garden [[37]].
- Sun Printing: Use plants from your garden to create beautiful patterned fabric that can be made into clothing or artwork [[38]].
- Flower Arranging 101: Follow a step-by-step guide on how to create striking flower arrangements at home [[39]].
Common Gardening Terms
- The article also provides a list of common gardening terms, including definitions for different types of plants, exposure levels, habits, and more [[40]].
I hope this comprehensive overview of the concepts mentioned in the article helps you in your gardening journey. If you have any specific questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!
