Beginning the journey into gardening is a beautiful and powerful threshold to pass through. A journey that requires planning, dedication, work and paying attention. The pay off is literally a continual harvest of lessons, joy, nature connection and of course delicious vegetables, herbs and flowers!
We always encourage starting where there is a natural overlap between what you love to eat and what is easy to grow. When those two come together, gardening becomes both practical and deeply satisfying.
Over time, you may find yourself growing crops you never expected simply because they thrive so well. And sometimes, you may choose to grow something more challenging simply because you love it. This is part of the never-ending journey of gardening.
Every growing region has its gifts and when we learn to work within our climate and region the garden becomes far more abundant and enjoyable. Yes, pushes edges of what can be grown is also part of the growing journey, but as a beginner, we don't recommend that yet.
At the heart of every thriving garden are four essentials: soil, water, air, and sunlight.
Healthy soil is everything. It is alive, rich with organic matter, and full of the microbial life that supports strong plant growth. If there is one place to invest your time and resources, it is in building your soil. We love to inspire and teach about building soil. Check out our blog post on What is Soil?
When we first moved to our farm, our first soil test came back that our soil was "mineral soil" mean it predominantly made up of inorganic such as sand, silt, and clay. Containing less than 20% organic matter. What that meant for us was spending years building up our organic matter.
Watering will vary depending on your plants, your soil, and your climate. Consistency matters more than perfection. Grouping plants with similar needs and using mulch to retain moisture will make your garden much easier to care for. Read our blog post on The Power of Mulching.
Air circulation supports plant health and reduces disease. Give your plants space to grow without crowding them. Even in small gardens, you can give your plants space to breath. Some plants like tomatoes need more space and other plants like herbs can do well in a tighter space.
Sunlight is your garden’s energy source. Leafy greens can thrive with less sun, while fruiting crops like peppers and tomatoes require more. Take time to observe how light moves through your garden. Observation is key.
You can grow a garden almost anywhere that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
Containers are ideal for patios and small spaces. Raised beds offer more room and greater control over your soil. Planting directly in the ground allows you to build your soil over time and connect more deeply with your land.
There is no one right way. The best choice is the one that fits your space and your lifestyle and your bandwidth.
Explore our full selection of organic seeds to expand your garden as you grow:
Shop Organic Seeds.
One of the most important principles we share is to start small. A few well tended plants will teach you far more than an overwhelming garden. We always encourage first time gardeners to start small.
Gardening is a relationship that deepens over time through observation, patience, and care.
If you are not sure where to start, we created our Micro Garden Collection as an easy and approachable first step. Our Micro Garden Collection is an excellent place to start. Best of all we offer you a free garden plan to give you an idea of how much you can grow in a 4 x 4 garden plot.
This collection includes varieties that are simple to grow, highly productive, and well suited for small spaces. It is designed to help you begin with confidence, whether you are growing in containers or a small garden bed.
- Choose easy to grow crops for your first season
- Improve your soil with compost before planting
- Water consistently and observe your plants daily
- Use mulch to retain moisture and support soil health
- Start small and expand as you gain experience
You do not need to do everything at once. Start with a few plants, learn what works in your space, and build from there.
When we grow food, we are not just growing plants. We are growing connection to the earth, to our food, and to ourselves. Read through our blog for more in-depth information about gardening.
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