There’s a lot of truth in the old saying, “The greatest oak was once a little nut that held its ground.” Big things start small. Experts were once beginners.
And so it goes with gardeners. Having (or not having) a “green thumb” is really a myth. Anyone can grow a garden. If you have the will to start small and learn, you can become a gardener.
Lowe’s makes it easy for first-time gardeners. Every plant in a Lowe’s Garden Center has a tag with the essential details – how much sunlight it needs, what zones it thrives in, what other plants grow well nearby. Our “How to Read a Plant Tag” YouTube video shows you, in less than a minute, all the info we supply in one tiny tag.
Ready to dig in?
Novice
You don’t even need an outdoor space to be a gardener. Start with an indoor herb garden or a succulent garden. You can end there, too, if you’re satisfied. But those herbs in a sunny windowsill could also be a stepping stone to something bigger.
Herbs need lots of sun – generally six hours a day – and good drainage. Use a saucer or liner when watering to protect your windowsill. Basil, chervil, chives, rosemary, sage, thyme and tarragon are among herbs you can cultivate indoors year-round.
You don’t have to go it alone, either. Lowe’s can get you started with all you need in one kitchen herb garden kit.
Succulents (think: cacti) practically thrive on neglect. They actually like to be left alone. They flourish in the dessert, so they’re made to go a long time between waterings. They generally have shallow root systems, so a tray and some potting soil are really all you need. Rotate your container to promote even growth.
Advanced beginner
Now, you’re ready to take it up a notch. Try container gardening. All you need is a tiny terrace, a front stoop or other small outdoor space. Your container can contain showcase flowers – or it might be an edible landscape.
Vegetables take a little more TLC than herbs and succulents, but anyone can grow them. Starting with good soil is important, and adding fertilizer (if the soil doesn’t already have it) is a must. Lots of gardeners maintain a compost pile and use it as plant food.
Tomatoes need lots of water and should be staked to help them stay upright. Carrots require an extra-deep container. Spinach and other leafy greens can tolerate partial shade. Check out the tags on every plant in Lowe’s Garden Center to learn what it needs.
Intermediate
Once you’ve mastered container gardens, you may be ready for raised-bed gardening, which works as well for flowers as it does for veggies. Raised-bed gardens provide better drainage – and more room for root systems – than an in-ground garden bed.
If you’re a DIYer, you may want to build your own raised bed. If you want a head start, Lowe’s has plenty to choose from, and they range from basic to the-neighbors-are-gonna-be-jealous level.
If you plant carrots, you may get an added bonus. Some species of butterflies are attracted to the Vitamin A-rich root veggie.
Advanced/expert
If you’ve done all of the above, you may be ready to cultivate a specialty garden. Planting an organic garden is an especially rewarding way to grow vegetables.
Anyone who plants a butterfly garden is doubly rewarded – first by the blooms (or vegetables) and then by the delicate winged creatures attracted to it. You already know that carrots attract butterflies. Other plants do, too. There is literally a butterfly bush that comes in several varieties, including a dwarf version.
Take it to the next level by planting a garden that not only attracts, but provides a safe haven for, butterflies. With some advance planning, you can entice butterflies to stick around, lay eggs and produce more butterflies.
A cutting garden allows you to have the landscape you love, while also enjoying cut flowers inside, too. (Once you have your borders just so, you may not want to disturb the flowers there.) A cutting garden is best started from seed, so it takes patience and a little faith. Zinnias, dahlias, asters and Bishop’s lace (similar to the wild Queen Anne’s lace) are all ideal picks.
No one’s born with a green thumb. But if you start small and stick with it, you can cultivate a garden you’ll be proud of.