Many avid gardeners claim that spending hours in the garden is therapeutic and relaxing. Pulling weeds, planting new flowers and shrubs, spreading mulch, watering fresh blooms – to some, it’s a mini-vacation. An escape from reality right in the backyard.

But if you’re a beginning gardener and you’re looking to give your backyard an upgrade, the prospect of gardening can be more intimidating and overwhelming than therapeutic.

Just getting started when it comes to backyard gardening? We’ve put together some tips and suggestions to help you get started when it comes to successfully sprucing up your property – even if you don’t have a green thumb.

Backyard Gardening Tips for Novice Gardeners

1. Start Small

If you’re just getting started with gardening, don’t plan to tackle the entire yard at once. Diving in too deep right off the bat can leave you feeling discouraged and overwhelmed.

Instead of trying to redo the landscaping throughout your entire property, start by planting in a small area, or try out some potted plants on the deck or porch first. Starting small can help you get a sense for what’s involved in keeping a garden healthy and looking its best without stretching you too thin.

2. Choose Easy-to-Care-For Plants

When shopping for plants, try to choose flowers and shrubs that are both nice to look at and low maintenance. Maintaining a garden can be a lot of work, so choosing plants that require minimal upkeep to look their best is ideal, especially if you’re just starting out.

3. Pay Attention to Placement

Check out the tags on the flowers and shrubs you’re considering while you’re at the home and garden store. Most are labeled based on where they’ll grow best – and for good reason. Some plants simply won’t thrive unless they’re positioned appropriately.

You’ll want to know a little bit about the type of soil you have on your property as well as the shadiness/sunniness of the specific areas where you plan to plant. Figure this out ahead of time so you can plan strategically and plant your new flowers and shrubs where they’ll grow best.

4. Water Regularly

This is important for all gardens, but it’s most important for gardens filled with new plants. Shrubs and flowers that have been transplanted need a to be watered substantially on a regular basis to help them get settled.

Be sure to water your garden regularly. If you can’t remember or find yourself forgetting, add a reminder to your calendar to keep you on track until you get into the habit.

5. Keep an Eye Out For Weeds

 Weeds can take nutrients away from plants, which can hinder their growth. They can also take over your garden beds if you’re not careful, crowding out the plants you’re working so hard to maintain.

Just like watering, weeding is a regular chore you’ll need to stay on top of if you’re hoping to have successful backyard garden. Be sure to make some time in your schedule for pulling weeds.

6. Invest in the Right Tools

Gardening is much more enjoyable if you have the right tools on hand to do the job. Start with the basics, like a nice pair of gardening gloves, a hose, a rake and a shovel, and add to your collection as you go. You can get a lot done with a pretty basic arsenal of tools, but having the ones you need is key!

7. Don’t Forget the Dirt

It may seem like you have plenty of dirt to work with in your backyard, but it’s important to purchase some top soil along with your new plants to help them get growing. This soil is fortified with extra nutrients and fertilizer that can help the new members of your garden to have a healthy beginning so they’ll grow and thrive long-term.

Get Started with Gardening In Your Backyard Today

 A little bit of planting and garden maintenance can go a long way in helping your backyard to look its best – even if you’re a beginning gardener and you’re not sure you have a green thumb! Keep these 7 tips in mind and you may be surprised to see how much progress you make.