Gardening for Beginners: 10 Secrets From Professionals You Need to Know Before You Start

I remember the first time I decided to try my hand at gardening. It wasn’t because I had a natural inclination toward plants or a burning desire to grow my own vegetables. Honestly, I just wanted a bit of peace—a small escape from the daily grind where I could get my hands dirty and maybe, just maybe, grow something green. It didn’t take long before I realized there’s more to gardening than meets the eye. The soil under your nails, the anticipation as seeds sprout, and the sheer satisfaction when you harvest your first crop—it’s an experience that quietly pulls you in.

If you’ve just started dipping your toes into this whole gardening thing, it can feel like there’s a lot to learn. But don’t let that hold you back. I’ve gathered some wisdom from seasoned gardeners—those who’ve spent years turning the soil and battling weeds—to help you get started on the right foot.

Related: 7 Best Gardening Books Backed by Experts

Check If Your Plants Are Getting Enough Light

Understanding how much light your plants are getting can make all the difference, especially when growing indoors. A common mistake many beginners make is assuming their plants are getting enough light when, in reality, they might not be. A simple hack to assess the light levels is to get down to the plant’s level and see the sky from its perspective. If there’s a clear, unobstructed view, your plant is likely getting plenty of light. If there are obstacles, like walls or other plants, you might need to move your plant to a brighter spot.

For plants that thrive in bright, indirect light, placing them near a south-facing window is ideal. However, if your plant needs more direct sunlight, you can gradually acclimate it by moving it closer to the window over a period of weeks. This way, you avoid shocking the plant and prevent leaf burn.

Watering Hack

Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes in gardening for beginners. A simple trick to prevent this is to always check the soil moisture before watering. Stick your finger about an inch into the soil; if it feels dry at that depth, it’s time to water. If it’s still moist, wait a day or two.

For plants that require precise watering, especially in containers, consider using a turkey baster to remove excess water from the saucer underneath the pot. It’s particularly useful for preventing waterlogged roots, which can lead to root rot—a common issue for many indoor plants.

Rooting Trick to Propagate More Plants

Propagating plants from cuttings is an easy way to expand your garden without spending money. But did you know that not all cuttings are created equal? For woody herbs like rosemary, sage, and even basil, taking cuttings from the newer, slightly woody growth rather than the soft, green tips will yield better results.

To encourage root growth, scrape the bottom inch of the stem to expose the green cambium layer before placing it in water or a soilless medium like vermiculite or sand. This trick helps roots to form faster, giving you a healthy new plant in a matter of weeks.

Lazy Gardener’s Compost

One of the easiest ways to improve your soil without much effort is the “chop and drop” method. When you’re weeding or pruning, don’t just throw those clippings away. Instead, chop them up into smaller pieces and let them fall right onto the soil. This method allows the organic matter to decompose naturally, enriching the soil with nutrients.

This technique works particularly well with annual weeds and green, leafy plants that decompose quickly. Just make sure you’re not spreading weeds with seeds or perennial roots, as these could sprout and become a problem later.

Fertilizer Timing

Remembering when to fertilize can be tricky, especially if you have a lot of plants with different needs. A simple solution is to add a diluted dose of fertilizer every time you water. For example, if your fertilizer instructions suggest feeding every two weeks with one teaspoon of fertilizer, try adding half a teaspoon each week instead. This way, you’re constantly providing a steady stream of nutrients without the risk of over-fertilizing.

It works particularly well with liquid fertilizers and is great for container plants that need more frequent feeding.

The Humidity Hack

Humidity is crucial when propagating plants from cuttings. To maintain the right level of moisture, try this simple trick: cover your cuttings with a plastic wrap or a humidity dome. This traps the moisture around the plants, creating a mini greenhouse effect that promotes rooting.

If you’re using jars for water propagation, covering the top with plastic wrap and poking holes for the cuttings to go through is another great way to keep the humidity high. This also prevents the cuttings from falling into the water and rotting.

Pest Control

Dealing with pests is a part of gardening, but you don’t always need to reach for harsh chemicals. A quick and natural way to manage pests like spider mites is to submerge the entire plant (excluding the soil) in a bucket of water with a few drops of mild dish soap. This method helps to reach all the nooks and crannies where pests hide, effectively drowning them.

Repeat this process every other day for a week, and your plant should be pest-free. Just remember to cover the soil with plastic to prevent it from washing away. Of course, some situations may call for the use of selective pesticides which can be dispersed using a sprayer or fogger.

Root Management

Roots play a critical role in the health of your plants, but they can become a problem if they’re allowed to grow unchecked. For plants like monstera, those unsightly aerial roots can actually be put to good use. Instead of cutting them off, direct them into the soil, where they can anchor the plant more firmly and absorb more nutrients.

This not only stabilizes your plant but also reduces the frequency of repotting as the plant becomes more self-sufficient.

How to Prune Correctly

Pruning is essential for maintaining the shape and health of your plants, but it’s important to know when and how to do it. For vining plants like pothos or philodendron, cutting back a stem will usually result in two new stems growing in its place, making the plant bushier. However, with plants like monstera, pruning can cause the plant to revert to a juvenile state, producing leaves without those prized fenestrations.

To avoid this, prune only when necessary—such as when dealing with disease or pests—and focus on maintaining the overall health of the plant rather than trying to stimulate new growth through excessive cutting.

Soil Aeration

Plants need oxygen, too, and they get it through their roots. Overwatering and compacted soil can suffocate roots, leading to poor growth and even root rot. To keep your soil well-aerated, consider adding perlite or coarse sand to your potting mix. These materials help create air pockets in the soil, ensuring that water drains properly and roots have room to breathe.

For larger plants or those in heavy clay soil, occasional soil aeration with a garden fork can also help. Simply poke holes into the soil around the base of the plant to improve airflow and water penetration.