How to start a garden from scratch

Access to quality whole foods is a luxury not everyone can afford. With the rising cost of produce and the uncertainty surrounding food quality and safety, many people are turning to backyard gardens. Fortunately, learning how to start a garden is easier than people think. Whether you have a sprawling backyard and tons of plant know-how or a small balcony and zero green thumb experience, anyone can learn to grow fresh food at home.

How to start a garden from scratch — Step by step

We’ll dive into each step in more detail, but here’s a quick overview of how to build a garden:

• Step 1: Decide what type of garden you want.

• Step 2: Choose the ideal location and sun exposure.

• Step 3: Clear out any existing vegetation.

• Step 4: Plan out your garden plot and the types of plants you want to grow.

• Step 5: Choose and prepare the soil (test it if your garden is in-ground or in a raised bed).

• Step 6: Pick a weed protection strategy.

• Step 7: Skip the seeds and purchase fully grown plants.

• Step 8: Prep the plants for their new home.

• Step 9: Plant the new garden.

• Step 10: Throw down some mulch.

• Step 11: Thoroughly water your new garden.

Step 1: Decide what type of garden you want to have

Before you get your hands dirty, set clear intentions: what do you want to plant? Whether you’re dreaming of colorful blooms that attract butterflies or an array of fragrant herbs to spice up your culinary creations, it’s important to have a vision for your garden. That will help you plan the space and ensure you have everything you need before getting started.

Some possible types of gardens to consider:

• Vegetable garden

• Flower garden

• Herb garden

• Container garden

• Native plant garden

To help you decide, consider your goals. Do you want to grow your own food? Teach your kids a valuable life skill? Help local flora and fauna thrive? Different types of gardens require different levels of maintenance and specific conditions. It’s important to choose one that aligns with not only your interests but also your abilities and available resources.

Step 2: Choose the ideal location and sun exposure

Once you know what you want to grow, it’s time to do your homework on location. Factors like soil and accessibility can be tweaked wherever you plant, but sun exposure is non-negotiable. According to the National Gardening Association (NGA), a plant’s needs for sunlight fall into one of four categories:

• Full sun: six or more hours of direct sunlight

• Part sun: four to six hours of direct sunlight

• Part shade: 90 minutes to four hours of direct sunlight

• Full shade: less than 90 minutes of direct sunlight

Consult resources like the American Horticultural Society or the NGA for information on the specific requirements for the plants you want. Then to ensure your garden gets the recommended amount of sun exposure, take note of how much sun your potential location receives throughout the day. You can also use an app like Sun Seeker or Planta to get more precise measurements.

Step 3: Clear out any existing vegetation

If you’re opting for an in-ground garden (versus a container or raised bed), you’ll have to clear out existing vegetation. That includes removing grass, weeds, and other plants. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, fall is the best time to clear vegetation because then soil has a full season to recover before planting begins in the spring. Here’s how to do it:  

• Outline the shape of your garden using a hose, string, or rope.

• Mow down any grass and remove debris or rocks larger than an egg.

• Cover the outlined plot (overlapping the edge by at least six inches) with a layer of biodegradable, unwaxed cardboard.

• Wet the cardboard to break it down.

• Add three-to-four inches of well-rotted organic matter on top of the cardboard.

This smothering method prevents weeds from growing, kills existing vegetation, and adds nutrients to the soil. After a few months, you should find healthy, weed-free soil ready for planting.

Step 4: Plan out your garden plot and the types of plants you want to grow

A thriving garden starts with a well-planned plot. Once you’ve cleared the area, take time to sketch out the garden and decide where each plant will go. Factors to consider include:

• Space requirements

• Plant compatibility (some vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better when planted in the same bed)

• Accessibility for watering, weeding, and harvesting

• Sun exposure and shade patterns on the site

Use markers, like stakes or string, to mark where each plant will go. Keep in mind that some plants, like tomatoes and peppers, may need support structures like cages or trellises. If you’re growing a container garden, make sure to choose pots that are large enough and have proper drainage.

Step 5: Pick and prepare your soil

Choosing the right garden soil can lead you down a rabbit hole of PH levels, nutrients, and  compositions. To make it less overwhelming, we recommend that beginner gardeners hold off on any fancy soil concoctions and stick with their backyard dirt. The Old Farmer’s Almanac recommends loosening the soil down at least 12 inches to give plant roots plenty of room to grow. Remove any rocks, roots, or debris that you find along the way.

To give soil a little boost, add two to three inches of compost on top and level it out with a rake. Not only does this add nutrients to the soil, but it also helps retain moisture, give plants more oxygen, and helps anchor roots. If you’re growing in a raised-bed or a container, you can purchase a mix of topsoil and compost from a garden center or nursery, or you can learn how to compost at home.

Step 6: Pick your weed protection strategy

Garden weeds are inevitable. But there are ways to limit their growth and keep them from interfering with plants. Some popular strategies include:

• Blocking sunlight: Adding a layer of mulch, black plastic, or landscaping fabric underneath the soil can prevent weed seeds from germinating.

• Manual removal: Pulling weeds by hand is time-consuming, but effective. Just make sure to remove the whole root so the weed doesn’t grow back.

• Weeding tools: Hoes, trowels, and cultivators can help physically remove weeds without disturbing plant roots.

• Herbicides: There are plenty of chemical weed killers out there, but you should avoid using them because they can be toxic to people and beneficial insects and pollinators.

• Limit space: Planting vegetables and flowers close together can limit the space for weeds to grow.

Choose the method (or combination of methods) that will work best for your garden and your schedule. By deciding how to handle weeds early, you can prevent them from taking over later. 

Step 7:  Skip the seeds and purchase fully grown plants

While seeds are cheaper than plants, they also require more time and care to grow. For your first garden, we recommend purchasing pre-grown plants from a garden center or nursery.  This way, you can be sure that your plants are already off to a healthy start and avoid the risk of seeds not germinating. Plus, pre-grown plants typically have detailed instructions on how to care for them. 

Step 8:  Prep your plants for their new home

Every plant has an ideal time of year for planting, depending on your location and the climate. Check the plant label or do a quick search online to find out when it’s best to transplant them. Planting outside of this window can decrease their chances of survival.

Before transplanting, make sure to prepare your plants for their new environment by slowly introducing them to their new outdoor environment. Leave them outside for a few hours every day, gradually increasing their time outdoors over the course of a week until they’ve spent a few full days outside. This process is called “hardening off” and helps indoor nursery plants adjust to outdoor conditions like temperature, sunlight, and wind.

Step 9:  Plant your new garden

When your plants are hardened and ready to transplant, dig a hole in based on the recommended size on the plant tag. Then gently remove each plant from their containers by pushing up on the bottom of the pot. If there are any root tangles, use your hands or a fork to loosen them.

Place the plant into the hole and cover the roots with soil. Gently pat down the soil around the plant for a stable base. Remove any dead leaves and set up any necessary structures, such as tomato cages or trellises.

Step 10: Throw down some mulch

Most plants do well with a small layer of organic mulch on top of the soil. According to the California Native Plant Society, mulch not only keeps weeds at bay, but it also reduces water evaporation, keeps temperatures consistent, and adds nutrients to the soil as it decomposes.

Spread two-to-three inches of organic mulch (avoid inorganic mulch, which is made of rubber chips) over the plants. Don’t put too much against any trunks or stems as it can cause rot and encourage pests.

Step 11: Give your new garden a thorough watering

The most important step in maintaining a healthy garden is proper watering. After spreading the mulch, give your plants a good drink of water. For the first week or two, make sure to keep an eye on moisture levels by sticking your finger in the soil a few inches down. If it feels dry, it’s time for more water.

While each plant has different watering needs, The Old Farmer’s Almanac recommends giving in-ground plants a deep watering three times a week. The best time to water is in the morning or the evening, when the sun is less intense and water won’t evaporate as quickly.

Garden tools

Gloves

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These nylon gloves come in a pack of four and are lightweight and flexible.

Pruning shears

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The Felco F-2 Classic pruning shears have a rubberized handle for comfort and steel blades, with a notch for cutting wires.

Garden fork

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The Roamwild Multi-Digger fork is made of fiberglass and designed to prevent clumps.

Hand trowel

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This hand trowel has a stainless steel blade with a serrated side. The stainless steel handle can be used to hammer in stakes and posts.  

Spade

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The Kent & Stowe classic spade helps make it easy to dig up dirt. 

Rake

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The Fiskars Pro garden rake is designed with lots of reinforcements for durability and features a comfortable handle. 

Shovel

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Hooyman’s shovel is serrated on both sides and has larger flanges for digging deeper in hardened soil.

Hoe

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This push hoe has a long handle and is lightweight enough to use for multiple gardening tasks, like weeding and loosening dirt.

Garden hose

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A heavy-duty garden hose like this one from Briggs & Stratton is an essential tool for any garden.

Padded kneelers

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A knee pad like this one from Spear & Jackson can help support joints during long hours in the garden.

Gardening supplies

Starter plants

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Burpee sells tons of seeds and plants online and has a shoppable digital catalog.

Weed cloth

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Laying out a weed cloth like this one from Eco Gardener can help stamp out weeds before they grow.

Mulch

Spreading mulch around plants can help prevent weeds from growing. Look for an organic blend.

Soil

The type of soil you get depends on the type of plants you plan to grow, and whether you’re building a container or in-ground garden.

Soil amendments (compost, sand, manure, peat, etc.)

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Just like soil, there are many different compositions of soil amendments. It all depends on the plants you want to grow.

Containers (if you're growing a container garden)

There are plenty of containers for growing plants. A good container has good drainage and enough room for the plants you want to grow.

Plant markers

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Markers are practical (and can be aesthetically pleasing) ways to identify the plants in your garden.

Fertilizer

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Fertilizer is also an important ingredient for growing healthy plants.

Pest control solutions

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Natural pest control products are best in any garden.

What to know about starting a garden

Before you make a mad dash to your local nursery, there are a few things to keep in mind.

• Garden location: Where you plant the garden is crucial to its success. Make sure the spot has enough sunlight exposure, easy to water, and isn’t prone to flooding.

• Local weather: Knowing the climate and average temperatures in your area can help determine the best time to plant, as well as which plants will thrive. Working with native plants is often the easiest option.

• Time and maintenance: Gardens take a lot of upkeep. Make time in your schedule to water, weed, and harvest plants.

• What you want to grow: Do you want to grow food, create a flowerbed, or attract pollinators? Knowing what you want to grow will help determine which plants and supplies you’ll need.

• Budget: Gardening can be an expensive hobby, especially if you’re starting from scratch. Consider the costs of plants, supplies, and any potential pest or weed control methods.

• Gardening knowledge: Research the types of plants you want to grow, their growing requirements, and any potential issues or diseases they may face. You can also consult with experienced gardeners or attend workshops or classes to learn more about techniques and best practices. 

Gardening questions answered 

What should you do first in a garden?

The first step in starting a garden is to decide what kind of garden you want. There are many options, but the most popular gardens for beginners include vegetable, flower, and herb. Choosing what to grow will impact decisions like location, plants, and supplies, so it’s important to have a clear idea of what you want before you start digging. 

How do you lay out a garden?

Outline the area where you plan to plant. Then use a plant marker to designate where each plant will go, choosing their location based on their needs for sunlight, water, and space. You can also use an app like Planter to help you visualize the layout and make adjustments.

How do I prepare the ground for my garden?

First, clear the area of any grass, weeds, rocks, or debris. Then use a shovel or garden fork to loosen and turn over the soil. Mix in compost or other amendments to improve soil quality and level the ground for planting. 

How do I start an indoor garden?

Indoor gardens are great for people with limited outdoor space or for growing plants year-round. While you can DIY it with a sunny location and some containers with good drainage, there are tons of complete indoor gardening systems that make it even easier. Some popular options include the AeroGarden and Click and Grow.