{"id":1170,"date":"2021-03-15T21:21:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-15T21:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/?p=1170"},"modified":"2021-03-24T21:36:06","modified_gmt":"2021-03-24T21:36:06","slug":"gardening-101-the-beginners-guide-to-gardening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/gardening-101-the-beginners-guide-to-gardening\/","title":{"rendered":"Gardening 101: The Beginner&#8217;s Guide To Gardening"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Gardening is a hobby that comes with many benefits. If you feel as though your outdoor space needs sprucing up, there\u2019s nothing a simple bit of gardening magic can\u2019t fix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nowadays, gardening for beginners may seem overwhelming, but it\u2019s far from impossible. If you want to get the most out of your experience, it\u2019s important to understand the science and skill required to get it right. Welcome to your beginner\u2019s guide to gardening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/gardening-101-the-beginners-guide-to-gardening\/#Whats_So_Great_About_Gardening\" title=\"What\u2019s So Great About Gardening?\">What\u2019s So Great About Gardening?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/gardening-101-the-beginners-guide-to-gardening\/#1_Its_Good_For_You\" title=\"1. It\u2019s Good For You\">1. It\u2019s Good For You<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/gardening-101-the-beginners-guide-to-gardening\/#2_Its_Good_For_The_Environment\" title=\"2. It\u2019s Good For The Environment\">2. It\u2019s Good For The Environment<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/gardening-101-the-beginners-guide-to-gardening\/#Important_Things_To_Know_About_Before_Gardening\" title=\"Important Things To Know About Before Gardening\">Important Things To Know About Before Gardening<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/gardening-101-the-beginners-guide-to-gardening\/#Plant_Personalities\" title=\"Plant Personalities\">Plant Personalities<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/gardening-101-the-beginners-guide-to-gardening\/#Sunlight\" title=\"Sunlight\">Sunlight<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/gardening-101-the-beginners-guide-to-gardening\/#Watering_Routines\" title=\"Watering Routines\">Watering Routines<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/gardening-101-the-beginners-guide-to-gardening\/#Nutrients_And_Soil\" title=\"Nutrients And Soil\">Nutrients And Soil<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/gardening-101-the-beginners-guide-to-gardening\/#Seasons\" title=\"Seasons\">Seasons<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/gardening-101-the-beginners-guide-to-gardening\/#Equipment\" title=\"Equipment\">Equipment<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/gardening-101-the-beginners-guide-to-gardening\/#Plant_Protection\" title=\"Plant Protection\">Plant Protection<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/gardening-101-the-beginners-guide-to-gardening\/#Questions_To_Ask_Yourself_Before_Gardening\" title=\"Questions To Ask Yourself Before Gardening\">Questions To Ask Yourself Before Gardening<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whats_So_Great_About_Gardening\"><\/span><strong>What\u2019s So Great About Gardening?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before we take you through some crucial gardening tips and tricks, let\u2019s uncover why it\u2019s such a worthwhile hobby to get involved in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Its_Good_For_You\"><\/span><strong>1. It\u2019s Good For You<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s true what they say &#8211; gardening is good for the mind, body and soul. This may sound a bit over the top, but many studies have been carried out to prove why this is the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gardening encourages you to get up and get outside, which we all know is far healthier than lazing around indoors. In fact, gardening is actually considered as <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/16118301\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">moderate-intensity exercise<\/a> on the days you move a lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As well as getting your body moving, gardening helps you to maintain a healthy diet. This is because you\u2019ll feel more inclined to eat fruits and vegetables if grown from your own garden. Not only this, but the food will be more organic, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In turn, maintaining a healthy lifestyle through gardening may work towards improving your mental health and reducing stress. Pretty great, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Its_Good_For_The_Environment\"><\/span><strong>2. It\u2019s Good For The Environment<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Gardening isn\u2019t just good for personal reasons; it\u2019s also excellent for the environment. It\u2019s far more sustainable than relying on major corporations and promotes a more organic way of living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wildlife will also thank you for maintaining your garden, as it will create a safe space for them to thrive (just as long as they don\u2019t eat your plants!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/bird-feeder-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1171\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/bird-feeder-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/bird-feeder-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/bird-feeder-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/bird-feeder-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/bird-feeder-750x500.jpg 750w, https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/bird-feeder-1140x760.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/bird-feeder.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Important_Things_To_Know_About_Before_Gardening\"><\/span><strong>Important Things To Know About Before Gardening<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As mentioned earlier, gardening as a beginner can feel overwhelming. From getting started to looking after the plants, there\u2019s a lot to take into consideration! With this in mind, read on to discover seven vital areas of gardening. Understanding the following areas will make the rest of your experience a walk in the park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Plant_Personalities\"><\/span><strong>Plant Personalities<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes &#8211; you are reading that right. Just like humans, plants have personalities!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s crucial to remember that all plants are different; some will need more water, some will need more sunlight, some will need different types of soil, and so on. To create the best environment for your plants, research into their specific needs before incorporating them into your garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sunlight\"><\/span><strong>Sunlight<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/sunrise-on-grass-1024x680.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1172\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/sunrise-on-grass-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/sunrise-on-grass-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/sunrise-on-grass-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/sunrise-on-grass-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/sunrise-on-grass-750x498.jpg 750w, https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/sunrise-on-grass-1140x757.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/sunrise-on-grass.jpg 1807w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Plants are really, really clever. They get most of their energy from the sun and use a process called photosynthesis to convert that energy into their tissues. It\u2019s safe to say that sunlight is pretty important for plants to thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When starting your gardening venture, make sure the area you plant gets plenty of sunlight. If your yard is naturally shady, consider researching plants that need less sunlight to survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Watering_Routines\"><\/span><strong>Watering Routines<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As well as sunlight, plants need water. We weren\u2019t joking when we said plants were like humans\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The amount of water needed will once again depend on the plant\u2019s personality. So, as usual, research this before drenching them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a general rule of thumb, for most plants, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patchplants.com\/gb\/en\/care\/how-much-should-i-water-plant\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">water them when the soil feels dry<\/a>. If the soil is moist, refrain from overwatering. More times than not, rainfall will give the plants more than enough moisture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Nutrients_And_Soil\"><\/span><strong>Nutrients And Soil<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Plants need lots of nutrients to grow properly. They source these nutrients from the soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/soil-with-plant-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1173\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/soil-with-plant-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/soil-with-plant-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/soil-with-plant-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/soil-with-plant-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/soil-with-plant-750x500.jpg 750w, https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/soil-with-plant-1140x760.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/soil-with-plant.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>To fuel your plants with as many nutrients as possible, the soil you plant them in needs to be fertile. This is pretty hard to assess on your own, but luckily, pH testing kits are available to do the job for you. Hopefully, your soil will sit between a pH level of 6 and 7. This is the standard acidity that plants need to thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the pH of your soil is too high or too low, your plants will struggle to get the food they need. Consider sprinkling the soil with specially-made plant nutrients to correct this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Seasons\"><\/span><strong>Seasons<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Gardening is a slow and enjoyable hobby, but like most things, it comes with a catch. The seasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some plants cannot grow in colder conditions, so focus most of your work around spring and summertime. You can use the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.almanac.com\/gardening\/frostdates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">first and last frost dates<\/a> to help you out here; plan your planting routine around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Equipment\"><\/span><strong>Equipment<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re planning to start gardening, chances are that you don\u2019t mind getting a bit grubby. However, no matter how much it doesn\u2019t bother you, there\u2019s only so much you can do with your hands. This is why it\u2019s worth investing in some good-quality garden equipment before beginning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/shovel-with-soil-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1174\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/shovel-with-soil-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/shovel-with-soil-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/shovel-with-soil-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/shovel-with-soil-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/shovel-with-soil-750x500.jpg 750w, https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/shovel-with-soil-1140x760.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/shovel-with-soil.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>For outdoor gardens, essential items include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Gloves<\/li><li>Watering can<\/li><li>Trowel<\/li><li>Shovel<\/li><li>Hoe<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These basic items will help you to kickstart your gardening venture. From here, you will be able to establish what extra bits of equipment might be needed further down the line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Plant_Protection\"><\/span><strong>Plant Protection<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Think of plants like your very own family; they must be protected at all costs. You can\u2019t just leave them to fend for themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Weeds are the number one enemy of plants. Although hard to prevent, they suck all nutrients away, leaving your plants with no food to survive. Due to this, it\u2019s crucial to rip weeds out as soon as they appear. This is easier to do if the soil is moist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As well as weeds, little critters can cause havoc on your garden. Bugs will damage plants that show signs of distress, so looking after your garden will help here. However, if the pest problem continues, consider building fences or seek organic deterrent options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whatever you do, try to avoid pesticides; keep your garden as organic as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Questions_To_Ask_Yourself_Before_Gardening\"><\/span><strong>Questions To Ask Yourself Before Gardening<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There you have it &#8211; an extensive beginner\u2019s guide to gardening. All that\u2019s left to do is take these tips into consideration and create an outdoor space you\u2019re proud of!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Final Tip:<\/strong> Remember to ask yourself the following questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>What type of plants do you want to grow?<\/li><li>Do you plan on growing foods?<\/li><li>Does your garden get much sunlight?<\/li><li>How much time do you have to spend gardening?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The answers to these questions will help you create a unique space, tailored to your exact preferences. Happy digging!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Gardening is a hobby that comes with many benefits. If you feel as though your outdoor space needs sprucing up, there\u2019s nothing a simple bit of gardening magic can\u2019t fix. Nowadays, gardening for beginners may seem overwhelming, but it\u2019s far from impossible. If you want to get the most out of your experience, it\u2019s important [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1176,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1170"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1170"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1170\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1176"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1170"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1170"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenlist.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1170"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}