Finding the right space for your garden is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when starting. Whether you choose raised beds, in-ground beds, containers, or pots can have a big impact on how well your plants grow. Raised beds are great for better soil control and drainage, while in-ground gardens allow plants to spread out naturally and develop deeper roots. Containers and pots are perfect for smaller spaces like patios or balconies, and they also make it easier to move plants around to follow sunlight or avoid harsh weather. The pots and containers I use are mainly located on my front and back decks, as well as around my pool area, while my raised beds are set up on the deck and near the pool. I also have in-ground beds surrounding the house (see the “My Garden” map). Personally, I find planting in containers, pots, and raised beds easier to manage, but in-ground beds give you much more space to grow and expand.

It’s also important to think about what you want to grow, since different plants thrive in different environments. Herbs and smaller vegetables—like the basil, mint, and cilantro I grow on my back deck—do really well in containers, while crops like tomatoes (which I’ve found to be very easy to grow) often do better in deeper soil, such as raised or in-ground beds. No matter what you choose, be sure to check your containers regularly for excess water collecting at the bottom, since poor drainage can lead to overwatering and damage your plants. Paying attention to these small details will help keep your garden healthy and growing strong.

One of the few key things that plants need to survive is sunlight. Different plants have different sunlight amounts, and can struggle if you place them somewhere incorrectly. There are generally three main sunlight amounts, which are full sun, part sun, and full shade. Full sun and part sun flowers generally produce more flowers and leaves, and full shade and even some part shade produce prettier leaves. Take coleus, for example. I have several varieties of coleus on our deck, and they all produce different, beautiful, and unique leaves, which make our back deck look pretty as we sit there. If you place full shade plants in full sun or part sun, the leaves could burn, and if you place full sun or part sun plants in full shade, they will suffer, get leggy, not produce as many blooms, and can even die. Some plants, I have learned, like zinnias, can survive in full sun and part sun; they just bloom better in one or the other. On seed packets and plant containers, be sure to check the labels to determine the amount of sunlight required for the best location and chance of survival of each plant. 

Starting a garden doesn’t have to be complicated, and the best way to begin is by keeping things simple. Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many plants (like I did!) or high-maintenance choices. Start with a few easy, reliable options like roses, geraniums (my personal favorite!), or Russian sage—plants that are known for being tough, forgiving, and hard to kill.

Choosing low-maintenance plants gives you the chance to figure out how much time you actually want to spend in the garden and what kind of care routine works for you. As you get started, focus on learning the basics: watering, trimming, deadheading, understanding sunlight, and placing plants where they’ll thrive. These small skills build the foundation for everything you’ll do as your garden grows.

You also don’t need a ton of tools to get started. A simple setup with a good pair of gloves, a hand shovel, quality soil, and a hand pruner is more than enough. With just these basics, you can care for your plants effectively without overcomplicating things.

Gardening watering might seem simple, but it’s one of the most important skills for keeping plants healthy. Different plants have different needs depending on their type, size, and environment, and some prefer consistently moist soil, while others need to dry out between waterings. I've learned that plant labels usually give you a good idea of watering for each plant, which helped me better understand how often to water. Paying attention to your plants instead of following a strict schedule can make a huge difference.

Another important factor is how you water, not just how often. Deep watering encourages roots to grow stronger and deeper into the soil, which helps plants survive heat and drought. Shallow watering, on the other hand, can lead to weak roots and stressed plants. A good rule of thumb is to water slowly and let it soak into the soil rather than rushing. Overhead watering can sometimes lead to fungal diseases, mold, or rot, so what I do is try to get as close and as down low to the plant as possible and water just the roots if possible, not any of the leaves.

Timing also plays a big role in effective watering. Early morning is generally the best time because it allows plants to absorb water before the heat of the day causes evaporation. Watering in the evening works too, but it lets the water sit all night, so I usually water in the morning when I can, but if I can't because of school or something, I try either when the sun isn't hitting it directly at the moment or as soon as I get home with a few hours of sunlight left. Weather conditions, soil type, and plant location all affect how quickly water is lost. Try avoid watering plants in the middle of the scorching hot day.

Keeping your plants under control through regular pruning and trimming is one of the best ways to encourage healthy growth. Cutting back plants helps them focus their energy on producing new flowers, leaves, and stems instead of wasting energy on old or damaged growth. There is a right and wrong way to do it, though. The goal is to remove dead stems, fading blooms, and any leaves or branches that look sick or unhealthy, which helps the plant stay strong and produce better growth overall.

Using clean, sharp, and strong clippers is essential for proper pruning. Regular maintenance keeps your plants looking neat, healthy, and well-shaped. One plant I find myself deadheading the most is the knockout roses, which need frequent trimming once they start blooming in late April or early May. I’m not always the most consistent gardener with it, but ideally, all those dead flowers, stems, and leaves can be composted in a bin (I use a spinning one—check the “My Garden” section) to recycle nutrients back into the soil.

Be careful not to cut off healthy buds or living growth, since that can stress the plant. Over-pruning can also cause shock, especially if you’re cutting back a lot at once—like trimming roses before spring or cleaning up zinnias from the greenhouse (both things I’ve definitely done). Some plants, like cucumbers, are especially sensitive and can experience transplant shock that lasts up to two weeks, so it’s important to research each plant and watch how it responds after trimming or transplanting.