How to Start a Garden

[ysabetwordsmith]

I got to talking with a friend about starting a garden, and that seemed like something that might interest other readers.


First, breaking it down into steps will improve your chances of success. There are lots of examples, some general, others for different styles of garden. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

https://commonsensehome.com/start-a-garden/

https://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Garden

https://www.bhg.com/gardening/vegetable/vegetables/planning-your-first-vegetable-garden/

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/starting/how-to-start-your-flower-garden.htm

https://greenglobaltravel.com/permaculture-garden-guide/
https://permaculturevisions.com/about/our-demonstration-site/permaculture-plant-list/

https://www.birdsandblooms.com/gardening/pollinator-garden/
https://www.pollinator.org/guides

https://monarchbutterflygarden.net/how-to-start-monarch-butterfly-garden/
https://www.americanmeadows.com/wildflower-seeds/wildflower-mix/monarch-butterfly-wildflower-seed-mix
https://www.americanmeadows.com/wildflower-seeds/milkweed-seeds
https://zellajakefarmandgarden.com/collections/butterfly-attracting/products/monarch-butterfly-assorted-milkweed-selection-1-2-gram-packet-seed-list-choose-favorites-or-purchase-all-and-save

https://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-Rain-Garden
https://www.harvestingrainwater.com/plant-lists-resources/multi-use-rain-garden-plant-lists/


Consider low-fuss garden styles to minimize work.

https://www.bhg.com/gardening/yard/garden-care/cottage-garden-care/
https://savvygardening.com/a-list-of-cottage-garden-plants/

https://dyckarboretum.org/how-to-design-a-native-plant-garden/
https://nativebackyards.com/native-plants-by-state/

https://growingfamily.co.uk/garden-tips/how-to-garden-for-wildlife-50-easy-ways-to-make-your-garden-wildlife-friendly/
https://www.plantnative.org/reg_pl_main.htm
https://www.groworganic.com/collections/wildflower-seed-mixes

https://www.backyardboss.net/xeriscaping-for-beginners/
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-5/zone-5-xeriscape-plants.htm


You can also buy a pre-planned garden. These are available as plants, seed tapes / mats, seed packet collections, or mixed seed packets.

https://www.highcountrygardens.com/pre-planned-gardens

https://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/all-preplanned-gardens

https://www.americanmeadows.com/pre-planned-gardens

https://www.springhillnursery.com/category/gardens-and-collections

https://www.prairiemoon.com/garden-kits
https://www.prairiemoon.com/power-packs.html
https://www.prairiemoon.com/seed-mixes

https://www.groworganic.com/collections/wildflower-seeds

https://www.xerces.org/pollinator-conservation/pollinator-conservation-seed-mixes

https://www.naturesseed.com/specialty-seed/pollinator-seed-blends/

https://www.botanicalinterests.com/category/Flower-Mixes

https://sowtrueseed.com/collections/flower-mixes

https://newp.com/catalog/seed-mixes/

https://www.opnseed.com/shop/seed-mixes-9478
https://www.opnseed.com/shop/bee-friendly-mixes-46625

https://natureandnurtureseeds.com/collections/all-seed-collections

https://www.trueleafmarket.com/products/heirloom-seed-collections-instant-garden

https://www.stclareseeds.com/garden-help/product-category/heirloom-seed-collections/

https://store.underwoodgardens.com/-Heirloom-Seed-Collections/departments/89/

https://www.trueleafmarket.com/products/culinary-herb-assorted-seeds-pack

https://humeseeds.com/product/gourmet-herb-mix/

https://northwestmeadowscapes.com/products/polyculture-victory-garden?variant=32136375500890

https://www.fruitionseeds.com/shop/product-category/vegetables/greens/mesclun-salad-mixes/

https://www.wildgardenseed.com/index.php?cPath=63

https://territorialseed.com/collections/seed-tape-mats-disks

https://ledhabitats.com/seed-mats/

https://www.gardeners.com/kitchen-garden-planner/preplanned-gardens


Second, a garden does NOT have to be a lot of work. It can be, though. My yard is 2 acres of prairie-savannah-forest with jungle structure, food forest structure, and small gardens scattered around. But other people have gardens the size of a balcony or less. It makes sense to choose a small project, especially if you have little or no prior experience with gardening. Some resources for small gardens:

https://www.thespruce.com/before-you-make-your-first-container-garden-847850

https://empressofdirt.net/birdbath-planters/

https://dengarden.com/gardening/Container-Water-Gardens

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/landscape-ideas-flowers-birdbath-garden-55117.html

https://gardentabs.com/corner-garden-ideas/

https://gardenerspath.com/how-to/design/guide-to-square-foot-gardening/


Tips for less-experienced gardeners:

https://www.onsuttonplace.com/gardening-tips-for-beginners/

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/gardening/a32675326/gardening-101/

https://www.realhomes.com/us/advice/gardening-for-beginners

https://www.gardeners.com/how-to/vegetable-gardening/5069.html

https://wraxly.com/flower-garden-design/

https://www.buzzfeed.com/nataliebrown/gardening-tips-for-beginners

https://www.insider.com/guides/home/gardening-tools-for-beginners

https://simplysmartgardening.com/best-gardening-books-for-beginners/

https://www.addall.com/reviews/best-garden-magazines/


January is a good time for garden planning. All my seed catalogs are starting to arrive! :D There are general catalogs with a little of everything, thematic ones for stuff like native species or heirloom seeds, and even a few that specialize in just one thing like daylilies or tomatoes. Some possibilities include:

https://www.prairiemoon.com/

https://www.springhillnursery.com/

https://ediblelandscaping.com/

https://urbandomesticdiva.com/my-top-seed-catalogs-for-native-flowers-and-plants-for-2021-wild-wednesdays/

https://www.thespruce.com/garden-catalogs-plants-and-seeds-1402429

https://morningchores.com/seed-catalogs/

https://www.gardenbetty.com/best-garden-seed-catalogs/

https://commonsensehome.com/heirloom-seeds/

http://www.appalachianseeds.com/tomato-plants/tomato-plant-catalog

https://pepperjoe.com/

https://oakesdaylilies.com/

https://www.seedsavers.org/


Good luck, and happy gardening!

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

One thing I love to do with gardening catalogs, especially if I get more obscure ones, is to rip out pages and mail them -- my mother has been trying to grow container potatoes, so she gets the Heirloom Potato page; a friend with a Halloween birthday loves gourds so he gets the Unusual Gourds page, etc. This is also good if you're doing LetterMo (National Letter Writing Month) in February.

-- Laura G