This post may contain affiliate links. I earn a small commission on purchases made though those links.
Gardening for Beginners: What to Plant When You're Just Starting
If you’re new to gardening like me, starting your first garden can feel a little overwhelming.
I recently decided to start gardening at home, even though I had zero experience, and I quickly realized there is so much to learn about planting, soil, grow zones, and choosing the right plants.
Since I live in Texas, I wanted to make sure I was planting things that could actually survive in my backyard, especially with the strong sun, heat, and wind we get here. After doing some research on my grow zone, I decided to start with container gardening using grow pots and planters so I could learn as I go.
In this post I’m sharing my step-by-step beginner gardening setup, what I planted, what supplies I used, and the easiest plants to start with if you’re new to gardening.
Gardening for Beginners
Step 1 — Research your grow zone before planting
Before I planted anything, I looked up my grow zone to make sure the plants I chose could actually grow where I live. Don’t get overwhelmed! This is actually more simple than you think.
Your grow zone tells you:
- what plants grow best in your climate
- when to plant
- what can survive the heat or cold
- what works in your backyard
I live in Texas, which means I need plants that can handle strong sun, warm temperatures, and sometimes windy conditions.
If you’re new to gardening, this is one of the most important steps before planting anything.
Step 2 — Start with container gardening if you’re a beginner
Since this is my first time gardening, I decided to start with container gardening instead of planting everything in the ground.
Container gardening is great for beginners because:
- easier to control soil
- easier to move plants
- good for small spaces
- good for patios and decks
- perfect if your yard soil is not great
I used a mix of grow pots and a 3-tier planter so I could plant herbs and flowers without digging up my whole yard. I am just getting started after all.
These are the grow pots I used to start my garden →
I also used a 3-tier planter which is perfect for herbs →
Step 3 — Use the right potting mix for planting
One thing I learned quickly is that regular dirt is not the same as potting mix.
When you are planting in pots, you need a good potting mix so your plants can grow properly.
Potting mix helps with:
- drainage
- nutrients
- root growth
- moisture control
I used a basic potting mix for beginners, which works great for herbs, flowers, and vegetables.
You don’t need anything fancy when you’re just starting. Of course you should get a cute little watering can for fun also.
This is the potting mix I used →
Step 4 — What I’m planting in my beginner garden
Since I’m just starting, I chose plants that are known to be easy for beginners and that grow well in Texas.
Here’s what I planted:
Herbs:
- cilantro
- basil
- thyme
- oregano
- chives
Flowers:
- zinnias
I wanted a mix of herbs and flowers so I could learn different types of planting without making it too complicated.
Herbs are great for beginners because they grow fast and you can use them for cooking.
Zinnias are also beginner friendly and do well in warm weather.
Step 5 — Choosing plants that work in Texas heat
Living in Texas means gardening can be a little different compared to cooler states.
We get:
- strong sun
- high heat
- wind
- dry soil
Because of that, I tried to pick plants that are known to grow well in warm climates and full sun.
If you live in a hot area, look for plants that say:
- full sun
- heat tolerant
- drought tolerant
- warm climate friendly
This will make beginner gardening much easier.
Step 6 — My beginner garden setup
Right now my garden setup includes:
- grow pots
- a 3 tier planter
- potting mix
- herb seeds
- flower seeds
- watering can
- outdoor space with sun and some shade
I’m still learning as I go, but starting small has made gardening feel a lot less overwhelming.
I also like using pots because I can move them around depending on how much sun my backyard gets.
Step 7 — Tips for beginner gardening
If you are just starting gardening like me, here are a few things I’ve learned so far:
Start small
Choose easy plants
Check your grow zone
Use good potting mix
Don’t overwater
Expect to learn as you go
Gardening is definitely something you figure out over time, but it’s actually really fun once you get started.
This post is all about Gardening for Beginners: What to Plant When You’re Just Starting
This is my first time starting a garden at home, and even though I’m still learning, I’m really excited to see how everything grows.
I’ll definitely be sharing updates as my herbs, flowers, and plants start to grow, and I already want to plant even more.
If you’re thinking about starting gardening as a beginner, container gardening with herbs and flowers is a great place to start.
If you’re looking for a simple beginner gardening guide, starting with container gardening is one of the easiest ways to learn how to plant herbs, flowers, and vegetables at home. This beginner gardening guide shows how I started gardening in Texas using grow pots, planters, and potting mix, and how I chose plants that work in my grow zone.
Happy Gardening!
