New to Gardening? Start Here (No Green Thumb Required)

Because some of us just want tomatoes, not trauma. Let’s dig in. 

Look, we’ve all been there: drooling over a Pinterest-perfect garden while holding a half-dead basil plant we forgot to water. The dream is juicy tomatoes, leafy greens, and fresh herbs. The reality? Wilted chaos and maybe a squirrel vendetta.

But gardening doesn’t have to be complicated. We asked a gardening pro who actually knows her stuff (and doesn’t talk down to beginners) to help us keep plants alive, grow some dang food, and feel like a competent human in the process.

This Q&A is for regular people. No acre of land. No greenhouse. No shame.

🌱 Meet the Expert: Angela Judd 

Angela Judd is the Arizona-based gardener behind @growing.in.the.garden and growinginthegarden.com. She shares clear, beginner-friendly tips to help you grow food no matter your space or skill level – no overwhelm, just solid advice that works.

1. I kill every plant I touch. Can I actually grow food at home without ruining it?

Be honest: is gardening for everyone or should some of us just stick to store-bought herbs?

Yes, absolutely. If you’ve struggled in the past, it may have been the wrong timing or plant. Gardening really is for everyone. Look for gardeners in your area, because location makes a huge difference in what works. And honestly? Killing a few plants is part of the learning process. (I’ve killed plenty!)

2. What’s the easiest thing to grow if I want to feel like a gardening goddess with zero skills?

Give us the one veggie or herb that thrives even when we forget to water it.

Herbs! You’re only growing them for their leaves, so there’s no waiting around for fruit. Many herbs do best when started from transplants, which means you can begin harvesting within a week or two once they start producing new growth. Instant “gardening goddess” energy, with minimal effort.

Start with easy favorites like basil, mint, chives, oregano, and parsley. They’re forgiving, productive, and perfect for tossing into whatever you’re cooking.

3. Do I need fancy raised beds or can I just throw dirt in a bucket and call it a garden?

What’s the low-budget, no-excuses way to start?

You can absolutely start with a bucket. A 5-gallon container, good potting mix, and a sunny spot are all you need to grow something like tomatoes, peppers, or herbs. Raised beds are nice, but they’re not required. Start small, use what you have, and grow from there.

4. How much sun is actually enough? 

Help us figure out where to plant stuff without needing a compass and a weather station.

Most veggies need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day; more is even better. If you can sit in the spot and need to squint from the brightness, it’s probably good. Leafy greens like spinach or lettuce can handle a little shade, but fruiting crops like tomatoes need full sun.

5. What’s the difference between potting soil, garden soil, and the dirt in my backyard?

Can I just dig and plant or is that how you grow sadness?

Potting soil is best for containers—it’s light, fluffy, and drains well. Raised bed mix is good for raised beds. Garden soil is heavier and typically meant to be added to existing ground soil. Backyard dirt might be fine for native plants, but if you’re growing vegetables, your plants need more readily available nutrition. Choose a high-quality potting or raised bed mix with plenty of compost to give plants what they need to produce in a short amount of time.

6. How often do I have to water my garden without turning it into a swamp or a desert wasteland?

We need a cheat sheet, not a PhD in irrigation.

Most gardeners tend to overwater, usually because we want to feel like we’re doing something for our plants. Instead, use the finger test. Stick your finger into the soil. If it’s dry a couple of inches down, it’s time to water. If the soil sticks to your finger, wait. Containers dry out faster and may need daily watering in hot weather.

7. What’s eating my plants and how do I stop it without turning my garden into a crime scene?

We’re not trying to go full pesticide, but we also don’t want slug soup for dinner.

Daily observation and a bug ID app are your best tools in the garden. Take time to notice what’s happening. Some pests, like aphids, have natural predators such as ladybugs and lacewing larvae. Give the good guys time to show up. If you spot troublemakers like squash bugs or Japanese beetles, handpicking them early, when there are only one or two, can stop a full-blown infestation before it starts.

8. Do I really need to start seeds indoors or can I just stick ‘em in the ground and hope for the best?

Let’s talk seed-starting for normal people who don’t own grow lights or have a greenhouse.

You can absolutely plant seeds straight in the ground, especially easy growers like peas, beans, squash, radishes, and lettuce. Other crops, such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants, do best when started from transplants, which are readily available at local nurseries.

9. I live in Canada where the growing season is basically five minutes long. What can I grow before the snow returns?

We’re working with frost warnings, surprise snow, and maybe three weeks of sunshine (not actually but it feels like it). What food crops actually stand a chance in a short-season climate?

Check the seed packet for the “days to harvest” number; shorter is better when you’re racing the weather. As days get shorter, focus on cool-season crops like kale, radishes, spinach, and lettuce that can handle chilly nights. A simple cold frame can help extend your growing season even longer.

10. What’s your #1 lazy girl garden hack that makes a big difference?

Something simple that’ll make us feel like we’ve got our lives together… even if we don’t.

Mulch! A layer of wood chips, straw, shredded leaves, or even pine needles keeps moisture in, weeds out, and your garden looking tidy. It also protects plant roots from temperature swings, helping to extend the season a little longer in cold climates (like Canada) and making summer gardening more manageable in hot places, like where I garden in Arizona. It’s a simple step with a big payoff, no matter where you grow.

Gardening Isn’t About Perfection. It’s About Progress. 

You don’t need to win “Best Garden 2025” to call yourself a gardener. If you put a seed in dirt and something grows, even a little, you’re doing it. And if it dies? Great. That’s free compost.

Start small. Grow what you can. And remember: weeds happen, bugs bite, and not every harvest will be Instagram-worthy. But there is nothing like eating something you grew with your own two hands.

Also, don’t forget to water. Seriously.

To bring some of that greenery indoors, check out this article on house plants.