The Ultimate Beginners Guide: Where The Hell Do I Start?

Let's be real here, gardening for beginners is so overwhelming! I know, I've been there. Perhaps you've recently moved home, or you want a garden that reflects your style, maybe you don't even know your style. The endless choice of plants, pinterest boards, and Instagram trends can make even the most determined beginner freeze.

Let's pause. Breathe.

This blog offers my personal and professional step-by-step guidance to help you navigate your gardening journey. From laying the foundation to choosing your planting theme, it’s designed to take away the overwhelm and help you create a garden that feels intentional, beautiful, and uniquely yours.

Lets begin.

1. Stop, Notice And Understand Your Space

   
   

Before you make any change whatsoever, it's important that you connect with your space, even if it's a blank canvas. Is there a spot where you like to enjoy your morning coffee? Or your evening meal? Maybe those spaces are better left open, as seating areas, rather than crowded with plants. Your garden should serve you, not just look pretty.

2. Light And Soil

Next, ask yourself: am I creating a shady garden or a sunny garden? Which parts of your space get sun, and which are in shade? Here’s a quick guide:

• Shade: 3 hours of sun or less

• Dappled / Middle: 3–6 hours of sun

• Sunny: 6+ hours of sun

  
  

This matters because it influences your realistic theme and plant choices. A lush mediterranean garden in a shady backyard will struggle - and you’ll feel frustrated. By observing light patterns throughout the day, you’re setting yourself up for success.

Healthy soil is the foundation of a thriving garden, but not all soil is the same. Here are the main soil types you’ll encounter:

• Sandy Soil

• Clay Soil

• Silty Soil

• Loamy Soil

• Peaty Soil

• Chalky Soil

Top Tip: Not sure what type of soil you have? Invest in a soil tester kit! These kits are inexpensive, easy to use, and help you measure pH, moisture, and nutrient levels, so you can give your plants exactly what they need to thrive.

3. Choosing Your Planting Theme

Before you head to your local garden centre and start buying, you must choose a theme and stick with it. Why? Because a strong theme gives continuity, guides your plant choices, and creates a sense of cohesion and peace in your garden.

• Cottage Garden:

  Soft, romantic, overflowing with flowers. Works best in dappled or sunny borders.

  
  

• Tropical: 

  Large leaves, bold colors, a sense of lush abundance. Works well in dappled shade.

  
  

• Asian-Inspired: 

  Structured, tranquil, minimalist with architectural plants. Works beautifully in shade or dappled areas.

  
  

• Architectural / Modern: 

  Clean lines, sculptural plants, repetition. Perfect for sunny or partial sun areas .

  
  

Notice how each theme creates a very different experience. Choose one that resonates with you - and don’t mix wildly unless you’re intentionally creating an eclectic style.

My Expert Advice - Consider The Seasons

It's easy to think of our seasons in a particular order - Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. When planting and planning your garden, I would like to challenge you to think backwards.

Yep, that's right - Winter, Autumn, Summer then Spring.

Why?

Winter is when your garden is at its most dormant. Most plants have slowed down or disappeared, leaving bare soil and skeletal structures. This is the perfect time to lay the foundation of your garden with plants that will give structure and interest year-round.

• Winter: 

  This is when your evergreens, shrubs, and structural plants come into their own. These plants provide shape, texture, and a sense of permanence when everything else is resting. By establishing them first, you create a backbone for your garden that carries through all the seasons.

  
  

• Autumn: Plant bulbs for spring blooms, autumn-flowering perennials, and shrubs with seasonal color. This ensures that even as winter approaches, your garden has subtle hints of life and color.

  
  

• Summer: Fast-growing annuals, tropical-style plants, and summer vegetables. These fill in gaps, bring bold color, and ensure your garden is vibrant when everything else is thriving.

• Spring: Introduce tender perennials, flowering bulbs, and early vegetables. These plants take advantage of warming soil and longer daylight, setting the scene for summer abundance.

Starting from winter allows you to build the structure first, then layer in seasonal interest. It ensures that your garden feels intentional and balanced all year, rather than being just a summer spectacle.

Final Thoughts

Gardening is a journey, not a race. The ideas, tips, and guidance shared here are just a fraction of what’s possible when you pause, observe, and start designing intentionally.

There’s so much more to explore - seasonal planning in detail, creating layers of plants that flow, choosing the perfect combinations for sun and shade, and designing a garden that truly feels like yours.

This blog is meant to give you a taste, a spark, and a sense of direction. If you want to take your garden further - turning your blank canvas into a thriving, beautiful space that works for your lifestyle - I offer a Planting Design Package where I guide you step by step. We go deeper into themes, plant selection, seasonal planning, and layout, ensuring your garden is cohesive, year-round, and effortless to enjoy.

Consider this your invitation: take the first step with guidance tailored specifically for your space, your style, and your garden dreams. Your garden isn’t just a plot of land - it’s a space to breathe, to feel, and to grow alongside.