How to Become a Better Gardener
Expand the beauty and comfort of home by cultivating your yard for food, beauty and supporting nature. Here's your guide
Whether you have been gardening for years or are just getting started, when it comes to plants there’s always more to learn. This guide is packed with advice and articles from Houzz covering just about every aspect of garden life, including composting, watering, weeding, attracting pollinators, caring for tools, propagating plants and more. It can’t get in there and pull your weeds, but perhaps it will help add a few new skills to your repertoire to help your garden grow.
Composting
Backyard composting may seem daunting, but it’s not as hard as it looks. And the “black gold” that is produced from your kitchen scraps and garden trimmings is well worth the effort.
How to get started:
Resources:
Get on a Composting Kick (Hello, Free Fertilizer!)
Houzz TV: Make a Worm Bin for Rich Soil and Happy Plants
Why You Might Want to Give ‘Bokashi’ Composting a Try
Backyard composting may seem daunting, but it’s not as hard as it looks. And the “black gold” that is produced from your kitchen scraps and garden trimmings is well worth the effort.
How to get started:
- Purchase a composter from a garden store or city disposal station and place it in a flat, partly sunny outdoor spot with good drainage.
- Create a 12-inch base layer of straw, dry leaves or a woody brush material for air circulation.
- Add a nitrogen-rich green material (kitchen scraps, lawn clippings) to your composter, always alternating each layer with a layer of carbon-rich organic material (like straw, dry leaves or newsprint).
- Every two weeks, mix the contents in the bin to aerate the materials. The pile will shrink over time. Continue to add layers until the bin is almost full.
- In about six months, you can harvest the compost.
Resources:
Get on a Composting Kick (Hello, Free Fertilizer!)
Houzz TV: Make a Worm Bin for Rich Soil and Happy Plants
Why You Might Want to Give ‘Bokashi’ Composting a Try
Starting Seeds
Planting from seed is a great way to start a garden on a budget or get growing when the weather outside is still too chilly for young plants. Plus, seeing those little sprouts pop up will make you feel like a gardening rock star.
How to start seeds indoors:
Houzz TV: Get Your Garden Started With Seeds
Your Essential Seed-Starting Glossary
How to Grow a Garden From Seed
How to Navigate a Seed Catalog
Making Sense of a Seed Packet
Planting from seed is a great way to start a garden on a budget or get growing when the weather outside is still too chilly for young plants. Plus, seeing those little sprouts pop up will make you feel like a gardening rock star.
How to start seeds indoors:
- Check the ideal outdoor transplanting date for each plant, then count backward to determine how early to start the seeds.
- Any container that is at least 3 inches deep and has good drainage will work. You can sow seeds in large flats, individual plastic or peat pots, cell packs or even egg cartons.
- Choose an organic seed-starting or potting mix for best results. Before getting started, gradually add water into the mix until uniformly damp, and let drain.
- If using a seed tray, scatter seeds across the top of damp potting mix; if using individual pots, plant two seeds per small starting pot. Lightly tamp seeds in place and cover with more mix to the depth recommended on the seed packet.
- Moisten the soil on top but don’t overwater.
- Label planting containers with the plant name and date.
Houzz TV: Get Your Garden Started With Seeds
Your Essential Seed-Starting Glossary
How to Grow a Garden From Seed
How to Navigate a Seed Catalog
Making Sense of a Seed Packet
Propagating Plants
Getting more plants from those you already have seems like a gardener’s magic trick — but it’s one that you can (and should!) try at home. Three of the main methods for propagating plants are trimming off plantlets; dividing plants; and rooting stem or leaf cuttings.
How to get started with each method:
Gardening 101: What to Know About Propagating Succulents
You May Never Have to Buy These Plants Again
How to Get More Plants for Free
Getting more plants from those you already have seems like a gardener’s magic trick — but it’s one that you can (and should!) try at home. Three of the main methods for propagating plants are trimming off plantlets; dividing plants; and rooting stem or leaf cuttings.
How to get started with each method:
- For plants with plantlets that are attached by a stem or stolon, such as spider plants and creeping saxifrage, cut off the stem. Place the plant in a potting mix designed for that type of plant. Gently pat the soil around it and water well.
- Dividing is a good choice for plants that tend to spread too enthusiastically. Perennials such as bee balm, black-eyed Susan, butterfly milkweed, coneflower and ornamental grasses are good candidates. Dig up the entire plant, being careful to dig a hole wide enough to include the entire root system. Place a spade in the center of the plant and cut through the roots. Plant the divisions as soon as possible and water thoroughly.
- Geraniums and jade plant are among the easiest plants to root from a cutting. You can root stem cuttings in water or a soilless growing mix, or you can take leaf cuttings and root them in a growing mix. Cut off 3 to 6 inches of a clean, healthy stem at an angle just above a growth node. Strip off the leaves from the bottom third to half of the stem and place in a jar with water, keeping the remaining leaves above the water level.
Gardening 101: What to Know About Propagating Succulents
You May Never Have to Buy These Plants Again
How to Get More Plants for Free
Saving Seeds
Saving seeds is another way to propagate plants, but it deserves special attention because it’s also important for another reason: Saving the seeds of heirloom and other open-pollinated plant varieties helps preserve genetic diversity and prevent a single pest from wiping out a crop.
How to get started:
How the Little Act of Saving Seeds Can Make a Big Difference
Be Your Own Wildflower Nursery
Why You Should Let Your Garden Go to Seed
Saving seeds is another way to propagate plants, but it deserves special attention because it’s also important for another reason: Saving the seeds of heirloom and other open-pollinated plant varieties helps preserve genetic diversity and prevent a single pest from wiping out a crop.
How to get started:
- Let some fruits or seed heads in your garden grow to maturity without harvesting.
- Collect and fully dry your seeds before saving them in a cool, dry area for next year’s planting.
- Share your heirloom seeds with neighbors and family members. Or share heirloom seeds on the Seed Savers exchange, or the seed-saving section on Houzz’s GardenWeb channel.
- If you will be saving wildflower seeds, consider mixing up a batch of seed bombs. Use seed bombs in your own garden or give them as a gift to friends and family.
How the Little Act of Saving Seeds Can Make a Big Difference
Be Your Own Wildflower Nursery
Why You Should Let Your Garden Go to Seed
Container Gardening
For gardeners with little space to garden, or poor soil, container gardening can be a great way to get the edible garden you want with the space you have.
3 tips for container gardens:
How to Grow Vegetables in Containers
Container Garden Basics: How and When to Water Potted Plants
Size Matters: How to Choose the Right Plant Container
For gardeners with little space to garden, or poor soil, container gardening can be a great way to get the edible garden you want with the space you have.
3 tips for container gardens:
- Container gardens dry out easily, so consistent watering is key. If you can, set up a drip irrigation system — this is the most effective way to ensure your thirsty containers get the water they need.
- Container gardens need soil that is quick-draining, moisture-retentive and nutrient-rich. To get the right formula, you can purchase an organic potting mix or make your own from 2 parts compost, and 1 part each coarse sand, perlite and rehydrated coir.
- The bigger the pot, the better. Edibles can grow in smaller containers, but larger containers let the plant establish deeper roots. And deeper roots make for healthier, more resilient plants.
How to Grow Vegetables in Containers
Container Garden Basics: How and When to Water Potted Plants
Size Matters: How to Choose the Right Plant Container
Planting and Caring for Trees
A tree can provide welcome shade, add interest to a landscape, screen an unattractive view, muffle noise on a busy street and even (if you choose a fruit tree) make a delicious addition to your edible garden. With the long lifespan and unique requirements of trees, it’s important to make sure your timing, tree choice and site are up to the job before planting.
Pre-planting checklist:
How to Buy Healthy Trees and Shrubs
Why, When and How to Plant a Tree
Tree Care: 5 Ways to Keep Your Trees Healthy
Tree Care: Common Tree Diseases and What to Do About Them
A tree can provide welcome shade, add interest to a landscape, screen an unattractive view, muffle noise on a busy street and even (if you choose a fruit tree) make a delicious addition to your edible garden. With the long lifespan and unique requirements of trees, it’s important to make sure your timing, tree choice and site are up to the job before planting.
Pre-planting checklist:
- It’s best to plant trees when they’re dormant — this gives their roots time to grow before warmer weather stimulates new top growth. Trees planted in fall after the leaves have dropped, or in late winter or early spring just before the leaf buds begin to swell, will be easiest to get established.
- Assess how much room you have for the mature tree — taking into account nearby power lines, structures or utility lines running under the ground near the tree — and choose a tree with a mature height that will fit the space.
- Be sure there’s an irrigation system or hose nearby for watering.
- When you’re ready to plant, dig a hole three times wider than the tree’s root ball and the same depth as the root ball, or even slightly shallower. Trees don’t like to be planted deeply because it makes oxygen less available to their roots.
- Fill in the hole, then create a berm around the hole to hold water, which helps it permeate deeply around the tree. Water well immediately after planting.
How to Buy Healthy Trees and Shrubs
Why, When and How to Plant a Tree
Tree Care: 5 Ways to Keep Your Trees Healthy
Tree Care: Common Tree Diseases and What to Do About Them
Watering
Making sure your garden is getting the right amount of water is key to growing healthy, happy plants.
3 tips for a well-watered garden:
Edible Gardening Essentials: Watering Tips Worth Soaking Up
How to Install a Drip Irrigation System
Edible Gardening Essentials: Tips for Traditional Hand Watering
Making sure your garden is getting the right amount of water is key to growing healthy, happy plants.
3 tips for a well-watered garden:
- Water in the morning. This helps plants stay hydrated through the heat of the day and gives foliage time to dry in the sun, which helps prevent diseases. If you can’t water in the morning, water in the evening after things have begun to cool down.
- Water less often, but deeply. The water needs to reach the deepest roots, which can be up to 2 feet deep for plants like tomatoes and even deeper for fruit trees.
- Water most when the plant is growing. Most edibles need the most water when they’re flowering or fruiting. You can cut back (or stop altogether) once the edibles have finished producing. You can also cut back significantly on watering perennials or fruit trees when the plants are dormant.
Edible Gardening Essentials: Watering Tips Worth Soaking Up
How to Install a Drip Irrigation System
Edible Gardening Essentials: Tips for Traditional Hand Watering
Mulching
Mulch can be used between plants and on paths to keep weeds at bay and add visual interest to the garden. The two main categories of mulch are organic and inorganic mulches. These can be used alone or in combination, and with or without an underlayment of landscape fabric. But there is also an alternative third category of mulch: more plants!
What to know about the 3 types of mulch:
How to Pick a Mulch — and Why Your Soil Wants It
New Ways to Think About All That Mulch in the Garden
The Art of Green Mulch
Mulch can be used between plants and on paths to keep weeds at bay and add visual interest to the garden. The two main categories of mulch are organic and inorganic mulches. These can be used alone or in combination, and with or without an underlayment of landscape fabric. But there is also an alternative third category of mulch: more plants!
What to know about the 3 types of mulch:
- Organic mulches are highly permeable, allowing air and moisture to reach roots. They contribute nutrients to the soil as they decompose, and since they won’t hold or radiate heat, they are a good choice for urban areas. Most are lightweight and easy for homeowners to work with. However, organic mulches are not permanent and will need to be replaced over time.
- Inorganic mulches are highly stable, so there’s no need to replace them year after year. River rock or crushed stone is ideal in areas where high winds or forest fires are a threat. On the downside, inorganic mulches tend to cost more, and they absorb and radiate heat, warming the living environment for both you and your plants.
- Using plants as mulch is nature’s way: In the wild, smaller plants and seedlings effectively act as mulch, protecting root systems and maintaining a balance of moisture. By allowing self-sowing perennials to spread, or underplanting with low-growing plants and ground covers, you can create a dense garden that can keep weeds at bay and provide shelter and food for insects, birds and other creatures.
How to Pick a Mulch — and Why Your Soil Wants It
New Ways to Think About All That Mulch in the Garden
The Art of Green Mulch
Attracting Pollinators
Bees, butterflies, birds, bats, moths and wasps are all pollinators: They visit flowers to feed off of pollen or drink nectar and transport pollen as they move from place to place, so they are essential for a productive and beautiful garden.
Dos and don’ts of attracting pollinators to your garden:
Gardening for the Bees, and Why It’s a Good Thing
You Don’t Need Prairie to Help Pollinators
Look Out for Lacewings: Beneficial Insects Coming to a Garden Near You
See how to make a bug habitat
Bees, butterflies, birds, bats, moths and wasps are all pollinators: They visit flowers to feed off of pollen or drink nectar and transport pollen as they move from place to place, so they are essential for a productive and beautiful garden.
Dos and don’ts of attracting pollinators to your garden:
- Do plant a variety of pollinator-friendly flower species, preferably in big clusters, to help pollinators find your garden.
- Do include plants that flower throughout the season, from early spring until fall.
- Don’t use pesticides (especially insecticides) in your garden.
- Do provide nesting places for mason and other native bees.
- Don’t tidy up your garden in fall. Leaving leaf litter and plant debris in your garden around your flowering plants will provide Syrphid flies and other helpful pollinators a place to overwinter.
- Do leave out a shallow dish of water with partially exposed pebbles for bees and other thirsty pollinators to land on and take a drink. Change the water daily to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs.
Gardening for the Bees, and Why It’s a Good Thing
You Don’t Need Prairie to Help Pollinators
Look Out for Lacewings: Beneficial Insects Coming to a Garden Near You
See how to make a bug habitat
Managing Pests With Companion Plants
No one likes to see their precious garden eaten away by bugs. But insecticides — which also harm pollinators and other beneficial insects — are not the only solution. You can keep those pesky insects away from your edibles with a few helpful plants, better known as companion plants.
What to know about companion planting:
Garden BFFs? Why Your Vegetables Are Begging for Companion Plants
Organic Matters: Thwart Insect Pests With Trap Crops
Enhance Edibles and Brighten Gardens With Sunny Marigolds
No one likes to see their precious garden eaten away by bugs. But insecticides — which also harm pollinators and other beneficial insects — are not the only solution. You can keep those pesky insects away from your edibles with a few helpful plants, better known as companion plants.
What to know about companion planting:
- Companion plants help keep unwanted bugs away, but they can also attract pollinators for vegetables like cucumbers, melons, squash and tomatoes.
- Companion plants work best when planted alongside vegetables. You can plant them between rows of vegetables or intersperse them throughout the growing vegetables.
- Aromatic plants such as basil, garlic, geraniums, marigolds, lavender, nasturtiums, petunias, rosemary, sage and thyme will help keep damaging pests away from your garden.
Garden BFFs? Why Your Vegetables Are Begging for Companion Plants
Organic Matters: Thwart Insect Pests With Trap Crops
Enhance Edibles and Brighten Gardens With Sunny Marigolds
Weeding
Sometimes it may feel like you need to be a master chess player to outsmart garden weeds. But don’t give up! With thoughtful planning and a regular maintenance plan, you can keep your garden in balance — without relying on chemical herbicides.
Weeding tips:
Zen Weeding: The Smart Way to Weed Your Garden
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Weeds
5 Ways to Naturally Win the Weed War
The Essential Weed Hit List
5 Weed-Smothering Ground Covers
Sometimes it may feel like you need to be a master chess player to outsmart garden weeds. But don’t give up! With thoughtful planning and a regular maintenance plan, you can keep your garden in balance — without relying on chemical herbicides.
Weeding tips:
- Did you know that many weeds thrive in poor, compacted or disturbed soil? It’s true! Simply by improving your garden’s soil, you may be able to thwart some of the most persistent invaders.
- The smaller the weed, the easier it is to get rid of — so aim to do a little weeding more often, rather than waiting for a big block of time. Plus, if you pull them when they’re young, you can stop them from going to seed and spreading further.
- Be sure to dig deeply and remove the whole plant when weeding.
- Avoid leaving bare patches of soil in your garden. Nature abhors a vacuum, so these blank spots are likely to be filled with volunteers (aka weeds) before long. Use mulch, or more plants, to fill gaps.
Zen Weeding: The Smart Way to Weed Your Garden
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Weeds
5 Ways to Naturally Win the Weed War
The Essential Weed Hit List
5 Weed-Smothering Ground Covers
Pruning
When done properly, pruning can stimulate new plant growth, remove dying or diseased areas and enhance and open up the form and shape of the shrubs and trees. However, over-pruning, or pruning at the wrong time in a plant’s growing cycle, can cause more problems than it solves.
Pruning tips:
These Key Pruning Terms Will Help You Shape Up Your Garden
How to Prune Your Fruit Trees in Winter
Pruning Secrets for Exquisite Roses
Take Care of Your Hedges With These Pruning Pointers
When done properly, pruning can stimulate new plant growth, remove dying or diseased areas and enhance and open up the form and shape of the shrubs and trees. However, over-pruning, or pruning at the wrong time in a plant’s growing cycle, can cause more problems than it solves.
Pruning tips:
- Always check for nesting birds in trees or shrubs before pruning.
- Sanitize pruning shears and clippers with bleach or rubbing alcohol before using, especially if you’ve noticed any signs of disease on your plants.
- Any major pruning should happen while plants are dormant. In mild climates, this means mid-December through February. In colder climates, wait until the final threat of frost has passed.
- For hedges, minor pruning (known as maintenance pruning) can be done during the growing season to keep shrubs from getting unruly.
- Pruning fruit trees is essential for maximizing fruit production and keeping your trees healthy. If you’re not sure how to prune a fruit tree, you can hire a certified arborist to do it for you.
These Key Pruning Terms Will Help You Shape Up Your Garden
How to Prune Your Fruit Trees in Winter
Pruning Secrets for Exquisite Roses
Take Care of Your Hedges With These Pruning Pointers
Tools and Tool Maintenance
Having the right tool for the job will make your garden chores easier and safer. And caring for your tools will ensure they last for years.
Tools that may come in handy:
How to Clean and Care for Garden Tools
How and Why You Should Clean Your Garden Tools
Houzz TV: 5 Tools Every Gardener Should Own
The 8 Tools That Help Bring the Farm to Your Table
More
10 Tips for Beginning Gardeners
Monthly guides to U.S. gardening regions
Browse garden photos on Houzz
Find garden products
Having the right tool for the job will make your garden chores easier and safer. And caring for your tools will ensure they last for years.
Tools that may come in handy:
- Tools for digging and planting: spade, trowel, digging rake, wheelbarrow.
- Tools for pruning: handheld pruners, handsaw.
- Tools for weeding and cleaning up: hori hori knife, hard rake, leaf rake, push broom.
- To deep-clean tools, the National Gardening Association recommends soaking metal ends of tools in a tub of hot, soapy water for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse with water and dry each tool thoroughly. Once dry, use WD-40 to lubricate the metal blades of shears and pruners and the metal heads of other tools and wipe away excess.
How to Clean and Care for Garden Tools
How and Why You Should Clean Your Garden Tools
Houzz TV: 5 Tools Every Gardener Should Own
The 8 Tools That Help Bring the Farm to Your Table
More
10 Tips for Beginning Gardeners
Monthly guides to U.S. gardening regions
Browse garden photos on Houzz
Find garden products
Learning about your soil can help you understand what will grow best in your garden. Testing for lead and other contaminants is especially important if you’re growing an edible garden, or if you have children who play in the yard.
Three tests to consider:
- Soil type. Soil is made up of various amounts of sand, silt and clay; it’s key to learn how much of each is in your soil to know which plants will be most successful. To find out your soil type, you can do a simple DIY soil test.
- Lead. Lead contamination can come from nearby industry, old lead pipes or old paint that has peeled off a house, and it can stay in the soil for many years. Contact your county extension office to have your soil tested so you know where toxins occur in the soil and in what amounts.
- pH levels. Your soil’s pH can affect how plants absorb nutrients, In general, the western U.S. has alkaline soils, while areas with heavy rainfall, such as parts of the Southeast, New England and the Pacific Northwest, have more acidic soils. To test your soil, pick up a simple pH soil test at the hardware store.
Resources:Get the Dirt on Your Garden’s Soil
How to Get Good Soil for Your Edible Garden
Grow a Beautiful Garden in Alkaline Soil
How to Stop Worrying and Start Loving Clay Soil