You're doing it! You bought a tiny, leggy plant! It's happening! A garden!
So... Now what?
Hang in there. Is gardening a commitment, a project? Yes. As gardening maven Marie Viljoen told us, "If you take [your garden] for granted, it's going to go south pretty quickly."
So, stock up: Get the tools you'll need (we have a few good ones) and the tips that will help your plant babies thrive. Now find a sunny windowsill and get growing:
What to Grow if You've Never Grown Anything? Herbs!
Our self-watering herb planters come with everything you need to start an indoor garden (in about a minute). Just add water.
Video by Kyle Orosz.
They come in colorful Mason jars or muted, minimal glasses.
Growing herbs—whether from seedlings or from seeds—is one of the easiest (and most immediately rewarding!) ways to start gardening: Not only do you not need much, but many herbs grow fast. And then you can "harvest" them and sprinkle them over everything.
The Tools for the Job
Your plot's not gonna plant itself—or take care of itself. Watering, pruning, and (the fun part!) harvesting are all part of the deal.
You won't need much—and Christopher Hatch of The Sill, a company that specializes in indoor plant care says that most important "tool" a gardener can invest in is the plants themselves. Read about more of his essentials here.
Bring the Outdoors in
Whether or not your garden is roaring, a leafy, handmade wreath will make wherever you hang it (the kitchen! the front stoop! the foyer!) feel fresh and lush.
We love these, made by our friends at Creekside Farms, because they look just as good once they've dried as they do when they're fresh.
A Place to Put Down Roots
Have plant, need a home for it? Start with a vase or planter.
Now for moving day. One of the easiest ways to make and keep your plants happy and healthy (and for perking up a droopy one) is by repotting—that is, removing them from the plastic pot you bought it in, agitating the roots (it's a sort of wake-up call for the plant!), and giving it a new home in a pot.
Feeling Confident? You Should!
We believe in you! (And you can always ask gardening questions over on the Hotline—we've got a serious community of gardeners!) Here's a little more to get you off the ground:
- How to keep a succulent or cactus happy and alive
- Gain confidence in your growing skills by regrowing your food scraps!
- Set your sights on a miniature fruit tree that you can grow in your living room
- Read these 23 tips from gardening pros for starting a garden, helping it thrive, and actually enjoying it all
We're always on the lookout for smart gardening tips. What are yours? What's in your garden year after year (besides weeds)? Tell us in the comments.
See what other Food52 readers are saying.