Advice for New Gardeners: 11 Tips from Oak Street

Kris’s Garden

Gardening is more than just a hobby. It teaches patience, fosters creativity, and has been shown to improve mental health!

Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or just starting out, cultivating a garden can bring immense joy and satisfaction. But where do you begin? There is no shortage of information in books and online that will help you through your gardening journey, but we decided to make it easy. Read below for our list of tips for new gardeners.

  1. Start with the Soil A great garden begins with healthy soil. If you haven’t already, get a soil test to understand your garden’s needs. 

    Kris’ Garden

    Amend accordingly, and consider starting a compost pile for better soil nutrition.

  2. Don’t Be Afraid to Get Dirty There’s something therapeutic about getting your hands in the dirt. Gardening isn’t just good for your plants—it’s good for your soul. Studies show that it can reduce stress and improve your mental health.
  3. Choose Plants with Care When selecting plants, especially groundcovers, be mindful of their growth habits. Certain plants can overrun others or grow too large and create too much shade. It’s a good reminder to consider how plants may behave in your specific space.

    Kris’ Garden

  4. Consistency is Key Spend a little time in your garden every day.
    Even a few minutes of weeding can make a big difference, and your garden will be neat and well-maintained.
  5. Regular Grooming Pays Off Deadheading and grooming your plants regularly will encourage healthy growth and keep your garden looking its best.
  6. Support Your Local Nurseries Frequenting a good independent garden center is one of the best ways to ensure you get healthy plants and expert advice. Local shops are here to help you grow your garden and knowledge.
  7. Embrace Experimentation One of the joys of gardening is trying out new and unfamiliar plants. Don’t be afraid to experiment—there’s always something new to learn, and you might discover a new favorite.
  8. It’s Okay to Start Small There’s no need to invest in large plants immediately.

    Kris’ Garden

    A small shrub in a one-gallon pot will grow just as well, and you’ll get to watch as it grows and matures. In the meantime, you can fill the space with colorful annuals to brighten up your garden.

  9. Protect and Nurture Wildlife Creating a garden that supports local wildlife is incredibly rewarding. Always limit pesticide use, and if you have to use it, choose the least toxic options available.
  10. Keep Learning Gardening is a lifelong journey. There’s always something new to discover, so take advantage of classes, books, blogs, and online resources. The wealth of information out there is truly endless.
  11. Observe and Enjoy Finally, remember that gardening is meant to be enjoyable. Don’t stress if everything doesn’t happen according to plan—gardens are forgiving. Take time to stroll through your space and appreciate what you’ve accomplished.

For those of you who have joined us more recently, we hope these tips inspire you as much as they’ve guided us over the years. And for our longtime readers, we hope this serves as a reminder of the simple joys of gardening.

If you haven’t already, check out our Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube channels for more gardening inspiration and to stay up-to-date with what’s happening at Oak Street Garden Shop. 

As always, feel free to stop in and talk plants!

– The team at Oak Street