If you walked into my childhood home, the only green thing you'd find was some mold on forgotten leftovers. My mum, bless her heart, could kill a cactus - and possibly did once.
This is to say, I am not a natural-born gardener.
For years, I believed that gardening was something magical that only certain people do. You either had a "green thumb," or you were doomed to a life of crispy houseplants and barren flower beds.
Spoiler alert: that's a myth.
Over the years, I've learned that gardening isn't about natural-born talent; it's a skill. One you can develop with a little patience, a lot of curiosity, and (let's be honest) some trial and error.
If you've ever told yourself you're not a gardener, I'm here to change your mind. This is a little snapshot into my journey down the garden path, how I went from plant murderer to successful gardener - and how you can too.
Let's start with the big myth - the "green thumb."
Somewhere along the way, we were taught that gardening success is genetic, like dimples or being able to roll your tongue. Total codswallop.
Gardening is a skill, like cooking or learning to ride a bike. And just like those skills, it takes practice and yes, failure.
When I planted my very first garden, I really didn't know anything.
But I was excited. I bought a shed-load of tools, and downloaded a beautiful garden plan from a website I found.
The shed-load of tools turned out to be largely unnecessary, and the beautiful garden plan - while beautiful indeed - contained plant suggestions that turned out to be highly aggressive, and became a source of frustration over the years.
There was some failure in that first garden, but they were failures that propelled me forward. And, there were some big wins too.
I learned to always, always, ALWAYS research the plant materials you're intending to use. More specifically, make sure you aren't planting something considered invasive in your area.
There are many beautiful plants suggested in pre-made garden plans available, but many of them pose not only a major headache to you as a new gardener, but also threaten native species and ecosystems.
I also learned that I could do this gardening thing. I could plant things in the ground, and watch them flourish. Sure, maybe not everything did, but the trick is to not take it personally.
Sometimes it's just not the right plant for the job, and that's okay.
The key here was that I wanted to learn. I wanted to improve my skills and my garden. I gave myself the time and patience for growing...just like my garden needed.
My mum, on the other hand, has exactly zero patience for plants.
That's not to say she doesn't enjoy them, and will insist on a poinsettia at Christmas every year. But, the poor thing dies a sad death - over-watered, then under-watered, then I don't even know what. The thing is, she doesn't care to learn the basics... and that's okay.
But you? You're here, reading this, so you're already ahead.
My first challenge for you is to shift your mindset. Stop thinking of gardening as something you're either "good at" or "bad at." Think of it as a skill you're learning.
Write down one reason you want to start gardening - maybe it's to grow fresh herbs for your kitchen, create a relaxing space in your yard or balcony, or just prove to yourself that you can.
The best way to start gardening is to keep it simple.
Choose one or two beginner-friendly plants, and focus on those. Don't try to transform your whole home in one weekend - you'll just end up overwhelmed (and probably very sore).
The first plants in my garden to really take off and boost my gardening confidence were hostas. Which is no surprise since they're basically just leafy greens.
Actually, some of the easiest veggies to grow are lettuce and radishes, and when you begin to look for beginner-friendly plants of your own, think roots & leaves first.
As the wow factor increases, so does the difficulty level.
Basil, parsley, hostas, brunnera, ligularia - yes, they all flower, but they're largely grown for their foliage.
I will offer this word of advice though... Young hosta shoots are edible and delicious. They can be foraged in spring and sautéed for a surprise addition to your dinner table.
So it should come as no surprise that if humans find them delicious, so will any wildlife you have on your property. Deer and rabbits are especially fond of hostas, and my partner will frequently question why I'm planting "deer food."
Brunnera is a great choice for deer and rabbit resistance, since the leaves have a texture that most animals find unpleasant.
With that in mind, my next challenge to you is to pick a beginner-friendly plant from the ones I've mentioned. Since the winter is upon us, I suggest starting something indoors like a small windowsill herb garden - mint, basil, parsley.
Just don't ever transplant into your yard.
Seriously... don't do it.
Gardening is a journey, not a destination. The more you experiment*, the more you'll learn what works and what doesn't.
Even seasoned gardeners make mistakes, and that's part of the fun! Plus, plants can be way more forgiving than you think.
I've got a mostly shady garden in the front of my house, that I like to push the boundaries with. I've planted a lot of "full sun" plants in there, and many have done quite well.
Others, not so much.
I like to think of it as a living classroom, where I can spend a few minutes each day checking on plants to see what's happening.
Are the leaves wilting? Are they pale? How much has the plant grown, year over year?
Keeping a garden journal is a great way to scribble down what you've observed. Like a magical tome of wisdom and advice to and from yourself. Over time, this can become your personal gardening playbook.
So, if you've ever told yourself that you can't be a gardener because you don't have a green thumb, let me reiterate: neither did I. Gardening isn't about being born with a talent; it's about learning, experimenting, staying curious, giving yourself the space and permission to fail, and then finding the learning opportunity when you do.
Pick a plant - just one - and start today. Water it, watch it, and don't stress if things don't go perfectly. That's all part of the journey.
And if you want to receive more info to help you on your garden path, check out the sidebar and sign up for my email newsletter. I'll drop in weekly to see how you're doing and cheer you on!
*Just don't experiment with mint in your garden.
