Basics

Whether you're new to gardening or experienced, everyone needs some gardening basics to get going!

In this category, you'll find a wealth of information that spans a wide number of topics. From seed starting to grow bag gardening, pruning tips to raised bed tricks, you'll find the fundamentals of gardening awaiting you here.

While it's optimized towards new gardeners, even a pro can find useful tips in our Basics category. We all need to get back to basics sometimes, and there are always useful tools and tips that other gardeners have developed along the way to add to your own practices.

Our Basics category can inspire you to new gardening heights, too. Those who have experience with in-ground planting can learn about other techniques such as raised beds or vertical gardening.

Close-up of a gardener cleaning a garden tool - a black spade under running water in a sunny garden.

Gardening Tips

A Beginner’s Guide to Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Garden Tools

Much like a chef has a favorite knife, every gardener has a favorite tool. The key to their longevity and effectiveness lies in how well they’re taken care of. Well-maintained and cleaned tools also limit disease spread in the garden, leading to healthier and happier plants. In this article, gardening expert and hori-hori aficionado Christina Conner shares some of her top tips for taking great care of your garden tools.

Close-up of a gardener's hands planting a young kohlrabi seedling into the soil in a sunny summer garden, carefully avoiding beginner gardening mistakes.

Gardening Tips

12 Beginner Gardening Mistakes to Avoid This Summer

With so much information and conflicting advice, starting a garden can be overwhelming. Fortunately, most errors are easy to avoid and fix. In this article, garden expert and former organic farmer Logan Hailey helps you avoid the biggest beginner gardening mistakes this summer and what to do instead.

Close-up of a metal raised bed with growing young seedlings of kale and Snapdragon flowering plants with a drip irrigation system installed.

Raised Bed Gardening

How to Set Up Irrigation for Raised Garden Beds

If you’re tired of dragging a garden hose or lugging a watering can every time you want to water your raised beds, consider adding an automated irrigation system. Farmer Briana Yablonski will share how to set up a drip irrigation system so you can easily water your raised beds.

Close-up of a gardener watering a summer blooming garden using a hose with a green spray nozzle to avoid common watering mistakes.

Gardening Tips

Don’t Make These 7 Watering Mistakes in Your Garden

Whether you’re overwatering or underwatering, irrigation is one of the most common mistakes among gardeners. Finding the perfect moisture balance is not always easy, especially with so many different plants in your garden. In this article, former organic farmer Logan Hailey helps you avoid the biggest irrigation mistakes.

Close-up of a patriotic flower bed with blooming purple Whirlwind Blue Fan Flowers, white Garden verbena plants and rich red petunias decorated with a small American flag.

Gardening Inspiration

9 Patriotic Flower Bed Ideas for the 4th of July

Commemorate independence with dazzling color and Fourth of July-inspired garden arrangements that allow self-expression and a classic color scheme. From bold to traditional, these liberty-inspired motifs let us honor Independence Day in an inviting garden style. Adaptable and versatile, red, white, and blue plantings and accents contribute to the day’s appreciation while providing all-season appeal. Join gardening expert Katherine Rowe in a look at patriotic garden bed inspirations.