Gardening Advice

Beginner's Guide to Gardening: Simple Tips, No Jargon

Gardening doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’ve got a few pots on a balcony or a patch of soil out back, this friendly guide will walk you through all the basics — in plain English, with no fancy lingo.

🌱 Planting Your First Plant (It’s Easier Than You Think)

Planting sounds scarier than it is — promise! Just dig a hole twice as wide as your plant’s pot and about the same depth. Take the plant out, loosen the roots a little if they’re clinging to the pot shape, and pop it into the hole so it’s sitting at the same level it was growing before. Fill the hole back in with the correct compost, gently press the soil down, then give it a nice drink of water. That’s it — no fancy moves needed.

💧 Giving Your Plants a Proper Drink

Watering’s one of the easiest things to do — and one of the easiest to overdo! A good rule of thumb is to water less often, but give it a good soak when you do. Think of it like a proper meal rather than a snack. Try to water in the morning or evening so the sun doesn’t evaporate it all. Not sure if it’s time to water? Stick your finger into the soil — if it’s dry a couple of centimetres down, it’s thirsty.

🩺 How to Tell If a Plant’s Feeling a Bit Off

Your plants will usually let you know if they’re not happy — you just need to know what to look for. Yellow leaves might mean too much water or not enough food. Droopy? Could be too dry... or too wet (yep, tricky). Crispy edges? Maybe too much sun or wind. Keep an eye on new growth — if that’s looking weak, something might be off. And remember, it’s totally normal to have a few plants that don’t thrive. It’s how we all learn.

✂️ Giving Your Plants a Little Haircut

Pruning sounds super serious, but really it’s just giving your plants a tidy-up. You can snip off anything that’s dead, damaged, or growing where it shouldn’t be. Most flowering plants like a trim after they bloom, and shrubs are usually best pruned in late winter or early spring. Just use a clean pair of secateurs and don’t stress too much — plants are pretty forgiving.

🛠 The Only Tools You Really Need to Get Going

You don’t need loads to get started. A little trowel (for digging), a pair of gloves (for mucky hands), some secateurs (for trimming), and a watering can or hose will do the trick. If you’ve got a border or bigger space, a spade and a hand fork will make life easier. You can always build your collection over time — no need to kit out like a pro from day one.

🌸 Understanding Plant Types: What’s What in the Garden (One of the Most Confusing Parts for a Beginner)

Annuals – The One-Season Wonders
Annuals grow from seed, bloom beautifully, and then die all in one growing season. Think of them as the show-offs — lots of colour, fast growers, and perfect for filling pots, borders, or gaps with instant impact. You’ll need to replant them every year, but they’re often cheap and cheerful, and many will self-seed if you let them!
Examples: cosmos, marigolds, nasturtiums, petunias

Biennials – The Two-Year Slow Burners
Biennials take two years to complete their life cycle. In the first year, they grow leaves and roots. In the second year, they bloom, set seed, and then die. They’re great for that “wild meadow” feel or cottage gardens. These can also self-seed, where the dying plant drops its seeds and naturally continues the growing cycle, meaning you don’t need to keep replanting them.
Examples: foxgloves, hollyhocks, wallflowers

Perennials – The Long-Term Lovers
Perennials come back year after year. They might die back in winter, but their roots survive underground, ready to reappear the following spring. They’re the backbone of most gardens because they get bigger and better over time. Some perennials flower for ages, others have a shorter window but look amazing when they do. Mix a few together for ongoing interest.
Examples: lavender, geraniums, salvia, hostas, echinacea

Evergreens – Green All Year Round
Evergreens are plants that keep their leaves all year, even in winter. They’re brilliant for structure and keeping your garden looking alive during the colder months. Some are flowering, some are just lush and leafy, but they’re all reliable workhorses. Use them as a backdrop so your seasonal flowers really pop, or to give your garden interest in the duller months.
Examples: boxwood, yew, holly, rosemary, hebe

Climbers – Vertical Magic
Climbers are plants that grow up rather than out. They love to scramble over fences, trellises, arches, or even walls. Perfect for small gardens where you want to add colour or greenery without needing much ground space. Most climbers need a bit of support — think trellis or string to train them. Once they’re going, they’re stunning and space-saving.
Examples: clematis, honeysuckle, jasmine, climbing roses, ivy

Trees – Big Impact, Long Term
Trees bring height, structure, and often shade or privacy to a garden. Some are small enough for pots, others need space to stretch. They change with the seasons, offer food for wildlife, and create a real sense of maturity in a garden. If space is tight, look for smaller or dwarf varieties — lots of trees are happy in large containers too!
Examples: crab apple, silver birch, acer, olive tree, cherry blossom

Hedges – Natural Fences
Hedging plants create living walls that offer privacy, shelter from wind, and a lovely green backdrop. You can go formal with a neatly clipped box hedge or loose and natural with something like hawthorn or laurel. Decide if you want evergreen (green year-round) or deciduous (leaves fall in autumn). And give them time — hedges are a long game but worth it.
Examples: yew, box, beech, privet, griselinia

Shrubs – The All-Rounders
Shrubs are bushy plants that sit somewhere between perennials and trees. They can be evergreen or deciduous, flowering or purely leafy, and they’re great for adding shape and layers to your borders. Mix a few shrubs in with your flowering plants for structure, height, and colour across the year.
Examples: hydrangea, buddleia, spirea, viburnum, fuchsia

❄️ Hardy vs. Non-Hardy Plants — What's the Difference?

One of the first things to learn is whether a plant is hardy or non-hardy, especially in a country with chilly winters like the UK!

Hardy plants can survive cold temperatures and even frost. They’re tough, resilient, and great for low-maintenance gardening. These plants often survive the winter outdoors without needing protection. Look for the word “hardy” on labels when buying plants if you want something that’ll stay strong through winter.
Examples: hellebores, daffodils, foxgloves, lavender

Half-hardy or non-hardy plants don’t like frost. They’re usually grown as annuals in cooler climates, or need to be brought indoors or covered up when it gets cold. You can still grow non-hardy plants — just wait until after the last frost in spring, or grow them in pots so you can move them somewhere sheltered if needed.
Examples: begonias, petunias, tomatoes, basil

Understanding a plant’s hardiness helps you decide where it should go in your garden, how to care for it in winter, and whether you can expect it to come back next year.

🔗 Some Lovely Websites for Plant Advice

There’s no shame in Googling — even seasoned gardeners do it. A few of our faves:

  • RHS – proper expert advice, no nonsense

  • Gardeners' World – friendly how-tos and great videos

  • BBC Plant Finder – fab for looking up what something is

🌱 Sowing Seeds — A Little Bit of Magic

It’s proper magic watching something grow from seed. Grab some seed compost, sprinkle your seeds on top, and press them in gently (some need to be buried, others don’t — the packet will tell you). Keep the compost moist (not soggy) and warm — a windowsill works great. Once they pop up, give them light and let them grow a bit before moving them outside. It’s so satisfying, and great for little ones too if you’re gardening with kids.

Need a hand getting started? Our ready-made borders take all the stress out of choosing and planting — just pick your style, and we’ll send everything you need (plus an easy step-by-step guide).