You Don’t Need a Green Thumb to Be a Great Gardener
It’s easy to look at a thriving garden and assume that the person behind it was born with a natural gift—what we often call a "green thumb." But the reality is, very few people are born knowing exactly how to nurture plants. The truth is that gardening is a learned skill, just like cooking, riding a bike, or learning to drive. Just because you’ve killed a few plants along the way doesn’t mean you're doomed to a lifetime of plant disasters!
The Art of Failing Forward
Let’s get one thing straight: killing plants is completely normal. Every gardener has done it, and they will likely do it again. The key to becoming a successful gardener isn’t perfection; it’s persistence and learning from your mistakes. Much like falling off a bike teaches you how to balance, or burning your first batch of cookies shows you what not to do, each plant you lose is an opportunity to understand something new.
Maybe that plant didn’t get enough water, or maybe it was exposed to too much sunlight. It could have been something as simple as a nutrient imbalance in the soil. The point is that it’s all part of the process of growing, both literally and figuratively.
Slime mold that I kept finding throughout my garden this year. This was my first time interacting with the fungus and it was due to high moisture levels in my raised beds.
There's No One-Size-Fits-All
There are certain gardening basics that most people know: plants need a combination of sunlight, water, and nutrients to grow. But what most beginners don’t realize is that this "recipe" changes from plant to plant. Some plants are thirstier than others, some thrive in the shade, and some prefer dry soil over constantly moist conditions. It’s a matter of trial and error to find the perfect balance for each individual plant.
This is where patience comes in. You’re not going to be good at gardening right away, but that’s okay. Every failed attempt gets you closer to success, and that’s the beauty of it. Gardening is more like an experiment than a set of instructions—there’s room for discovery, curiosity, and growth.
Sometimes things will just pop up in your garden and be a beautiful surprise. Other times, you'll try to follow the chaos gardening trend and absolutely nothing will come from it.
You're Not Alone—Few People Learn to Garden Efficiently
Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of people don’t take classes on how to garden. Most of us start with a rudimentary understanding of plants, learning bits and pieces as we go. The gardeners you see with beautiful yards likely started with the same level of knowledge as you—killing a few plants, struggling to keep others alive, and learning along the way.
The key difference between someone who becomes a successful gardener and someone who gives up is simply practice. Gardeners who excel often take notes of their failures, understand their specific gardening style (do you tend to forget to water, or maybe overwater?), and either find plants that match their habits or adjust their care to suit the plants.
Getting Started on the Right Foot
If you’re interested in starting a garden but have no idea where to begin, don’t worry—that’s where I can help. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by plant care or uncertain about what to plant where, I’ll do the hard work for you.
Reach out to me, and I’ll help you figure out:
Where you’ll get the most sun throughout the year: I’ll analyze your space and provide insights into how the seasons affect sunlight exposure.
Soil conditions: I’ll help you understand the type of soil in your yard and what might grow best in it.
Which plants will thrive in your area: From sun-loving perennials to drought-tolerant natives, I’ll give you an idea of what plants are likely to succeed based on your specific location.
With my help, you’ll get started on the right foot and avoid some of the common beginner mistakes. Gardening is a journey, and I’m here to guide you every step of the way. Let’s grow together!