Gardening is a rewarding experience, but it can also be intimidating. As I've learned over the years, the best way to make gardening easier is to start small and keep things simple. Here are some tips that will help you in your journey toward becoming an expert gardener—or at least getting through your first season!
Start small
Don't worry about having a large garden, or even a perfect one. Instead, focus on the basics: make sure your soil is healthy, plant what you like to eat and let nature take its course!
Plant what you love to eat (and only those things). Your first year will be all about experimentation--so don't feel pressured into planting things that aren't on your list of favorites just because they're supposed to be good for beginners or easy-to-grow crops. Do what makes sense for your lifestyle and tastes!
Plant what you like to eat
If you're a beginning gardener, the most important thing to remember is that you should plant what you like to eat. It may sound obvious, but many people don't do this and end up with a lot of plants that they have no use for. For example, if your family doesn't like tomatoes or eggplants and won't eat them even when they're offered on their own terms (like in an omelet), then there's no point in planting those items--they'll just go bad before anyone gets around to eating them anyway!
There are also some plants that are better suited for certain climates than others: if it's too hot where I live then no matter how much water I give my pepper plants they will die; likewise if it gets too cold here during winter months then any tomatoes or peppers left outside will freeze solid overnight and become unusable as food sources until spring comes again next year.
Use mulch and weed block to minimize weeding and water use
Mulching and weed block are two ways to minimize weeding and water use.
Mulch is a layer of material that covers the soil, helping to control weeds and retain moisture in your garden. It can be made from many different materials, including straw, wood chips or bark mulch (which comes from chipping logs). Weed block--a type of plastic sheeting--is another option for controlling weeds without using chemicals or tilling the soil. Weed block is usually black or dark brown so it's less noticeable in flower beds where some people might object to seeing gray plastic sheets lying around their garden beds!
Hydroponic farms are a lifesaver
If you're living in an apartment or condo, gardening can be a challenge. You may not have the space for a large garden plot or even the ability to grow food outdoors. Hydroponic farming is an excellent alternative that allows you to grow food indoors or on a balcony or patio. Hydroponic farming uses water instead of soil and relies on artificial lighting and air conditioning systems to grow plants year-round. If you have limited space, hydroponic farming can help you start producing vegetables and fruits right away.
Plant in blocks rather than rows for easier maintenance and more productive vegetables
There are several advantages to planting your vegetables in blocks instead of rows. First, it's easier to maintain your garden if you can walk around it without stepping on your plants. Second, it's easier for you to see what needs to be done in order for the garden to thrive--you don't have as much ground that needs constant attention, so you can focus more easily on individual areas rather than having them blend together into one big mess. Thirdly (and this is probably most important), block planting allows each plant more room and sunlight so they can grow taller and healthier!
Use stakes and trellises to keep plants upright and away from competing weeds
Stakes are essential for supporting tall, heavy or otherwise fragile plants that need to be kept upright. They're also helpful with tomatoes, which can grow up to 10 feet tall if they're not supported by a stake or trellis. A simple wooden stake will do the trick; use one that's at least 6 inches long and make sure it's firmly secured in the ground so it won't tip over during windy weather (or when you lean against it). If you don't have any wood lying around your house, try using bamboo stakes instead--they work just as well!
If you have more than one type of flower growing in your garden bed (for example: sunflowers next to zucchini), then consider using some sort of barrier between them so neither plant gets disturbed by its neighbor's roots or leaves falling into their space. A good way around this problem is by building an L-shaped frame out of chicken wire stapled onto two pieces of wood connected together at 90 degrees angles; then fill each section up with soil until only about half remains empty underneath where both types will sit comfortably side-by-side without getting mixed up together during growth cycles.
With these tips, you can easily get started on your own garden. The most important thing is to just get started! If you're not sure what kind of plants would work well in your area or how much space you have available for planting, talk with someone at your local nursery about their recommendations.
