Our Top 10 DIY Gardening Tips for Beginner Green Thumbs in the UK

09/03/2021 Rob Walter

There’s nothing more exciting than getting into gardening – but where oh where do you start? We’ve put together our top 10 DIY gardening tips for beginners in the UK to help you get started on your green thumb journey.

Starting out with gardening doesn't have to be watercress on kitchen roll or basic potted plants. You can get stuck right into the thick of it with our tips and tricks for creating a thriving garden in the UK.

Here are our top tips at a glance!

When Should You Start Gardening in the UK?

You can start gardening in the UK as early as March when the risk of frost diminishes, and the soil begins to warm up.

This is a great time for beginners to start because you'll see the results of your hard work quickly.

You do have to have a little patience with gardening, as some plants may take longer to grow than others. But it's all worth it when you see the rewards of your efforts, whether it be a bountiful harvest of crops or a beautiful display of flowers.

That being said, gardening can be an all-year round affair if you wish it, as some plants can thrive in colder temperatures and even through the winter.

Eating With The Seasons: A Guide To UK Seasonal Fruit & Veg

Although – to start with – we recommend sticking to the more common and easier-to-grow plants, such as tomatoes, carrots, and lettuce, in the spring and summer months.

These will give you a good foundation for understanding the basics of gardening and how to care for plants.

What Should I Do First in My Garden?

Start by assessing your garden's soil, sunlight, and space. This will be key as it will determine which plants are suitable for your garden and where they should be placed.

Next, decide on what you want to grow. Are you looking for a pretty flower display or are you more interested in growing your own fruits and vegetables?

Once you have a general idea, research the specific needs of the plants you want to grow. Some may require more water, while others might need full sunlight.

It's also important to consider when to plant certain crops, as some do better in cooler weather while others thrive in warmer temperatures.

Once you know what you want to grow, you can buy the necessary supplies, such as soil, pots, and quality gardening tools.

Our Simple Gardening Project Recommendations

Embarking on your gardening journey doesn't have to be daunting. Here are some simple projects that are perfect for beginners:

10 Easy Gardening Tips for Beginners

So, you’re all prepped and ready to start your own garden, and you’ve got a rough idea of what you want to grow. We’ve rounded up our 10 top tips for beginner gardeners to help you get started on the right foot.

1. Create a Plan or Layout for Your Garden

Planning, planning, planning is the most regularly repeated advice when it comes to gardening tips for beginners. Whether it’s an indoor herb garden, vegetables in pots on the terrace, or a full-blown prize-winning lawn with an orchard and vegetable plot, you need a plan and a layout.

You can either do this yourself, or you can hire a garden designer to help you.

Either way, you need to have worked out what you want and what you need. Sheds, for example, are essential for storage and tasks like potting. They are sizable structures and so need to be placed carefully.

Other large physical objects may include compost bins and water butts. All need to be planned alongside vegetable plots, flower beds and lawns.

Explore our full range of raised beds and planters to organise your garden

2. Research the Different Conditions Your Plants Need to Thrive

Start with some simple observations. What is your garden’s orientation? Is it North or South facing? What direction do the winds come from? How exposed is the garden? Is it walled or fenced?

A walled garden will absorb heat in the brick/stonework. Shady gardens will suit some plants and not others. Similarly, too much sun will scorch and kill some varieties.

The soil type is a big factor to consider. Is it clay, sandy, silty, peaty, chalky or loamy? Knowing your soil type is key to understanding which plants will do well and work best in your garden.

Sandy loam is the best kind of soil. If you're not lucky enough to have sandy loam, you will need to feed and modify your soil with composts, manures and mulches.

3. Rent a Local Allotment if Space is Tight

If you have grand ambitions but not much space, an allotment can be a great way to get started.

Because there's often a waiting list for allotments, you need to plan ahead. If you're lucky enough to get an allotment straight away, you can get right on with the beds’ plan and layout.

Deciding what to grow and where is the starter question. Bear in mind your soil conditions and location, as these will influence what will work well.

The great thing about allotments is there’s a ready supply of neighbourly growers only too willing to pass on their gardening tips for beginners.

To help you get started, read our guide on allotments for beginners

4. Invest In Good Quality Tools & Equipment

There’s a whole variety of basic garden tools and equipment used at different times throughout the year. Essential tools like spades and forks are useful all year round.

Like all practical and manual work, having the right tools makes a big difference. Some jobs will be impossible without the correct equipment.

Not all tools are made equal, so try to pick out good-quality materials for the essentials, like a fork and a spade. Likewise, for the frequently used trowel and a hand fork.

It won't be long before your tool collection multiplies, and you’ll need a dry and safe place to store them all. Also, taking good care of your tools by cleaning and oiling them will protect your investment further.

Check out our range of sheds, workshops, and cabins to store your tools and equipment

5. Buy a Fruit Cage to Protect Your Crops & Flowers

When it comes to fruit, there's nothing quite as exciting as the anticipation of harvesting tasty fresh fruit from the garden. It may be that you have a fruiting cherry tree or some blackcurrant or raspberry canes nestling in among the shrubs.

As a beginner, you need to avoid the disappointment of seeing your crop devoured in a day (not by you) just when the fruits are near perfection.

Netting is the answer to keeping the birds at bay. It could be one big net draped over the fruit tree or a metal cage with a net attached that gives you a walk-in space.

Butterflies and their caterpillar eggs can also do damage to your cabbages or broccoli if you aren’t careful.

Read our guide on everything you need to know about buying a fruit cage

6. Create a Gardening Calendar

Of all the gardening tips for beginners, keeping a monthly gardening calendar of what to plant and when is high on the list.

It may be a surprise to know that there won’t be a single month when you're off the hook in terms of tasks and things to do in any guide to the year’s gardening activities.

Even in January and February, when it’s hard to get out in the cold and rain, there's plenty to be done. You can read our guides on what vegetables to plant in January and what grows in February to help you plan ahead for these winter months.

You would think that because nature is doing a lot of the work, you can sit back and watch your garden grow, and that is true, to a point. Part of the pleasure is being in control and planning your gardening.

With your garden and activity plan in place, knowing what to expect and doing jobs at the right time means the plan can come together with nature’s help.

The alternative is that you don't have a plan and don't do the jobs in good time, and your workload increases exponentially as nature takes over.

7. Make Use of Everyday Household Waste

Composting is one of the more satisfying gardening jobs for beginners. By carefully selecting and retaining food waste, such as surprisingly useful eggshells, you can create a rich and nourishing mulch to feed your plants.

It would be best if you started early, though, because the process can take many months.

Home composting does take some care and attention, and how quickly you see results will depend on the size of the pile, what you put in it, and how much attention you give it along the way.

If you turn it regularly, add moisture, and avoid adding too many hard-to-break-down items, the compost might be ready in a few months. However, it’s not unusual to have to wait 1-2 years for the process to be complete.

8. Make Your Own Homemade Weed Killers

Homemade weed killers may seem like an ambitious suggestion for beginners, however, in the spirit of starting how you mean to go on, it’s a good habit to get into. And it’s fun and straightforward!

All you need are a few basic ingredients like vinegar, salt, detergents and cooking oil.

Making your own weed killers is a real benefit, especially if you're growing vegetables or edible flowers. Shop-bought weed killers are not always as safe as they might be. Natural homemade pesticides will be cheaper and safer than most off-the-shelf chemical formulas.

For more ideas, read our post on 7 Homemade Weed Killers

9. Join a Gardening Club or Group

There are many voluntary membership associations and societies focused on gardening. They're a great source of advice and guidance and a place to make friends with like-minded people to share easy garden ideas for beginners.

Nowadays, you can find many of these online as well as in your local neighbourhood. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) website has a search function that can help you find a local group.

10. Enjoy the Gardening Process!

Most importantly of all, remember to enjoy it!

Gardening allows you to connect with nature and watch your hard work bloom into beautiful plants. It's a therapeutic and rewarding hobby that can bring joy to your life.

Take the time to appreciate the process, from planning and planting to nurturing and harvesting. Don't be discouraged by setbacks or mistakes, as they are all part of the learning experience.

And don't forget to take breaks and step back to admire your garden's progress. You'll feel a sense of accomplishment at seeing how your efforts have transformed the space into a vibrant and flourishing oasis.

The Benefits of Starting a Home Garden

Aside from being a fun hobby, gardening brings a bunch of benefits to your mental and physical well-being. Here are just a few:

Gardening isn't just about planting pretty flowers or having a beautiful outdoor space. It has many physical, mental, and emotional benefits that make it an enjoyable and fulfilling hobby.

Key Takeaways: A DIY Guide to Gardening for Beginners

Gardening doesn't have to be a difficult task, even for beginners. With our tips and guidance, you can become green-thumbed in no time. Start small, choose low-maintenance plants, and follow our advice on tools, planning, and care. Soon, you'll be enjoying the rewards of a thriving garden.

Here at WM James, we have a brilliantly wide range of gardening tools and supplies to help you get started on your green thumb journey.

Whether it’s long-lasting garden tools endorsed by the RHS or our very own garden netting, we have everything you need to make your gardening experience a success.

We’re dedicated to helping you create and maintain a beautiful garden, so let's dig in and get started!

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