Getting Started

Human beings have cultivated gardens since the dawn of civilization. Just consider the Funerary Chapel of Sennefer, an ancient tomb on the bank of the Nile, which dates all the way back to the 15th century BCE.

Sennefer was an important Egyptian noble. When he passed away, gardens were painted on the walls of his tomb. They offer a glimpse into the gardening practices of Ancient Egypt, including their sophisticated understanding of plant cultivation and garden design, with neatly ordered palm trees, lotus flowers and pools.

Thousands of years later, gardens are still as popular as ever. And this pathway will teach you how to build a garden of your own. Whether you have acres of space, or just a humble window sill, there's a gardening option for you.

There are a few requirements that every garden needs. One of these is sunlight. Without it, plants can't photosynthesise effectively, leading to stunted growth or death.

The angle and intensity of sunlight can significantly affect plant growth. These factors are determined by the time of year and latitude. For instance, during summer, the sun is at a higher angle, resulting in more intense sunlight. Understanding these changes can help you adjust your gardening practices accordingly, like covering plants during the hottest part of the day or adjusting your watering schedule.

Not all plants require the same amount of sunlight. Shade-tolerant plants, such as ferns and hostas, can thrive in areas of the garden that receive less sunlight. On the other hand, vegetables generally need 6-8 hours of sunlight per day to grow well.

Water plays a crucial role in various plant processes. It's essential for nutrient uptake, photosynthesis, transpiration (water vapor loss), seed germination (growth of a seed into a young plant), and root growth. Without water, a plant will die.

Having said that, overwatering can also be detrimental to plants. It can lead to root rot, a condition where the plant's roots become waterlogged and start to decay. This can be fatal to plants, so it's important to water your plants just enough to meet their needs without drowning them.

The amount of water a plant needs can vary significantly depending on the plant species and the local climate. Some plants, such as cacti and succulents, can survive with minimal watering, while others, like ferns and certain flowers, need regular watering to thrive.

Along with sunlight and water, soil is also important to plants. They use it as a source of nutrients, while it also helps them to stand upright.

Soil can be classified into three main types: clay, loam, and sandy. The best way to determine what soil is in your garden is to get your hands dirty. Add a few drops of water and squeeze the soil in your hand. Loamy soil will remain in the shape of a ball but will crumble when you poke it. Clay soil will hold together in a solid ball, while sandy soil will struggle to hold its form.

It's important to know what type of soil you're working with, because different species of plant will do better or worse in each type.

It's time to ask yourself a question: why do you want a garden? Whatever your primary motivation, it will change the type of garden you should try to grow.

For example, you might want it for aesthetic reasons. If that's the case, you could grow a flower garden: that's a garden full of fragrant, flowering plants.

The Keukenhof in the Netherlands, also known as the Garden of Europe, is one of the world's largest flower gardens. This remarkable garden showcases a vast array of flowering plants, offering visitors a breathtaking display of colors and fragrances. Every year, over 7 million flower bulbs are planted across the gardens 32 acres.

You won't be able match the Keukenhof's scale — but smaller flower gardens can be pretty spectacular too.

Maybe you want a garden for practical reasons. Maybe you want a source of food. If that's the case, you might choose to grow a vegetable garden.

An interesting type of vegetable garden uses the Three Sisters method, a technique pioneered by Native American tribes. This method involves growing corn, beans, and squash together in a vegetable garden. These three plants benefit each other, with the corn providing a structure for the beans to climb, the beans fixing nitrogen in the soil, and the squash acting as a ground cover to suppress weeds.

Alternatively, you might want a herb garden. These can range from small containers on a windowsill to dedicated plots in the yard. They offer the convenience of having fresh herbs available for cooking.

Maybe you want the practical elements of a vegetable garden — but you want it to look nice too.

A potager is a type of ornamental kitchen garden that combines the aesthetics of a traditional garden with the functionality of a productive vegetable garden. Potagers are often designed in a geometric or symmetrical layout, with pathways, borders, and raised beds that create a sense of order and structure. Vertical gardening is often incorporated into potagers, with climbing plants like beans, peas, and cucumbers trained on trellises or supports.

The Potager du Roi, part of the Versailles Palace in France, a UNESCO world heritage site, is a historic example of a potager, or kitchen garden. This garden serves as a testament to the enduring appeal and functionality of potagers.

Maybe you want to grow a garden for the benefit of local wildlife.

A pollinator garden is a garden designed to support pollinating species, such as bees, butterflies and moths. These pollinators contribute to genetic diversity and healthy ecosystems by facilitating plant reproduction and seed dispersal. Pollinator gardens typically contain native plants, a diversity of flowers with continuous bloom.

To attract larger animals, like birds or mice, you can add habitats to your garden, such as birdhouses or log piles. Avoiding pesticides and creating a source of water can also make your garden more wildlife-friendly. Pesticides can harm beneficial insects and other wildlife, while a source of water, such as a birdbath or pond, can attract a range of species.

Maybe you want a flexible garden that you can easily move around.

Container gardening is a versatile gardening method that involves growing plants in containers, pots, or other vessels instead of planting them directly in the ground. This method allows for greater flexibility and control over the growing conditions, making it suitable for a wide range of plants and environments. It's an excellent option for people with limited outdoor space, such as balconies, patios, decks, or windowsills.

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, may have been an early form of container gardening. This legendary garden is said to have featured a variety of plants grown in tiered terraces, possibly in containers or similar structures.

Maybe you don't have grand ambitions for your garden. You just want something small.

Indoor gardening, also known as indoor horticulture or houseplant cultivation, involves growing plants inside. This form of gardening allows people to enjoy the benefits of plants, such as improved air quality and increased humidity, even in urban environments with limited outdoor space.

Indoor gardening is versatile, with a variety of systems making growing plants easily achievable. Soil-based systems are affordable and require growing containers. Hydroponic systems allow plants to be grown in water, not soil. They are space efficient but more expensive than soil-based systems. Glass terrariums and living walls are also popular indoor gardening options.