Come sit on the porch with me… and let’s talk about starting your garden!

When first starting out, it can easily become overwhelming trying to make ALL THE DECISIONS. And if you’re anything like me, that feeling can either make you want to learn everything at once… or shut down and not start at all. But. We’re not doing either of those!

You don’t need to learn everything before you plant your first seed.

Start small, research as much (or as little) as you want, and figure out what works for you. Because it’s important to remember that what works for me (or others) may not work for you. And that’s okay! If you’ve spent some time looking things up online, you’ve probably seen about ten different ways to do the same thing-all claiming to be the right way. (It’s enough to make you second guess before you even get started.) Everyone’s garden space is different, everyone’s gardening needs are different, and everyone’s *time* is different. Because time is also important, you don’t want to bog yourself down with too much.

Also, don’t forget, there will be lots of trial and error, some mistakes, and of course some great accomplishments! Part of the fun in gardening is learning from your mistakes. Gardening isn’t about getting it perfect right out the gate. Gardening is something you grow into-literally and figuratively.

You just need a place to start, and a little willingness to learn as you go.

Now, since this blog is still pretty new, I’ll be doing more in-depth posts on all of the topics discussed today, and I will provide direct links to them as they happen. That way, if you’d like, you can read more about them!

Things to Consider

Taking the time to consider some things before getting started can help set you on the right path. I mean, jump right in if ya want! But if you’re like me, ya may wanna figure out a few things first. Settle on a good starting point, and then jump right in! Some things to consider include:

– How much space do you have to work with?
– Growing/Hardiness zone you live in, frost dates, weather
– Your Soil Conditions
– Growing in-ground, in containers, or in raised beds
– Direction your garden is facing and sun exposure
– Potential pest issues
– Time Commitment and what you want to grow
– BUDGET

Now, I know you’re thinking “But Jess, that seems like quite a bit.” And yes, it does, but several of these tie in with each other, so don’t stress!

Garden Space

Your location and the amount of space you have will primarily dictate what you can do with your garden. Do you live in an urban area? In the suburbs? How about a more rural area? Do you live in an apartment/townhome, do you have a yard, do you have multiple acres to work with? Is your soil up to snuff? Is it clay, sandy, or just right? ➡️ Good Dirt Matters

All of these questions lead to where and how you garden. If you’re short on space, containers might be a good idea for you! If your native soil isn’t the most conducive to growing, consider raised beds, or containers. If your soil is just right, and you have the space, then in-ground growing might be perfect for you!

There are a plethora of containers on the market that you can grow in. They come in just about every color you can think of, different sizes, and some even have different shapes. Whether you decide to use grow bags, hanging planters, vertical planters, stackable planters, plastic containers, terracotta containers, fabric containers, buckets… I’ve even seen people grow in small kiddie pools or gutters! Honestly, you can get as creative as you want with containers. And if you’re limited on space, consider using vertical space.

Raised beds can be a simple solution if you have the space, but your native soil isn’t ideal. You can get creative with these, too. They can be built out of wood, galvanized metal, bricks, rocks, logs, cinder blocks, the list goes on. Determining the size depends on a couple things, like the amount of space you have, how many you want, and even your own personal height. (Some of us shorties can’t easily reach the center of wider beds!)

Growing in-ground is ideal, if you have the space and good, native soil. You can do this in rows, or even create designated spaces that are different shapes, whatever your heart desires!

I personally use containers and raised beds. Here in Middle Tennessee, our soil tends to have more clay in it. Plus, we rent. So for us, the smarter decision is raised beds and containers. I like how I can control my soil a bit more, and we can remove them when we decide to move in the future.

Growing Zones, Frost Dates, and Weather Conditions

Knowing what growing/hardiness zone you live in helps you determine what to plant, and when you can plant it. They also help determine what plants are annuals vs perennials in your area. Growing zones basically define the minimum temperatures your area reaches in the winter. Now, these are not the end-all be-all. Use them as a guideline. Because some zones reach across a vast area of the country. (I’m sure the rest of the world also has something similar, I just don’t know much about that, so I’m gonna focus on the United States)

When we lived on Long Island up in NY, we lived in zone 7b. Now that we live a little south of Nashville, TN, we also live in zone 7b. As you can imagine, the temperatures and weather conditions are vastly different between the two areas. In NY, we had colder temps, and a lot more snow. Here in Middle TN, we have warmer temps and naders! Since we’ve moved here, I think we’ve only had one, maybe two, snowfalls a year. This year we had that nasty ice storm, though. But that isn’t so common round here, thankfully.

Knowing your average first and last frost dates can help you determine when to start your seeds or transplant seedlings. Some plants prefer cooler temperatures, and may need the cold for their seeds to germinate. Some plants grow better in the fall, or late winter/early spring. Some prefer warmer temps. This will also help you determine how long your growing season is. Warmer zones like zone 10 have longer growing seasons than colder zones, like zone 5.

Knowing the average temperatures of your area helps you determine when to start your seeds indoors, when to direct sow, and when to transplant any seedlings you have either grown inside, or purchased.

Also, pay attention to the weather in your area. Does your area get more rain than others, or less? Are your temperatures typically below 100 degrees, year round? Do your temps reach 100 occasionally, or regularly? Our area experiences crazy wind speeds, so when I use stackable planters, I have to make sure they are secure enough to not fall over through straight-line winds and tornadoes. This also applies to any netting or shade cloths, make sure they are secure!

If you get more rain in your area, then you may not need to water as often. If your area tends to lean towards the drier side of things, you’ll wanna adjust your watering habits accordingly.


Quick Pause…. I know this sounds like a lot, but it all connects.

Direction and Sun Exposure

When choosing where to build your garden, or place your containers, think about what direction everything will be facing. This can affect whether your plants thrive, barely survive, or die.

Southern and Eastern exposures tend to receive more sunlight than western and northern exposures. Take this into consideration when deciding not only where to grow, but what to grow.

Some plants prefer 6-8+ hours of sun a day, while some prefer less sun, and some even prefer shade. If your plants are not receiving enough sun, their growth may stunt, and they may not produce as much as they would in the right conditions.

Take note of shadier areas in your space. If you have some spots that receive more shade than sun, that’s okay! Don’t fret! There are plants that do prefer shade, and won’t thrive with too much sun and heat. Some flowers and greens like lettuce and spinach can thrive in shadier spots. However, tomatoes and peppers prefer more sun and warmth.

Also, think about what direction the sun rises (east) and sets (west.) Some plants prefer morning to early afternoon sun, but benefit from later afternoon shade. You can be strategic with placing taller plants on the northern or western sides of your garden, so they don’t provide too much shade for shorter plants that like more sunlight. You can also consider placing the garden on the southern side of your house, rather than the northern. (If you have the space)

Potential Pests

Now. With every garden, you will experience bugs. And not all of them will be the good kind like butterflies and bees! Some may snack on your plants, some may completely decimate them.

When we lived in New York, I barely dealt with pests. But here in Tennessee? Totally different story. Cabbage moths, aphids, my arch nemesis-squash vine borers. It’s been… a learning experience FOR SURE. I try to combat these with companion planting and other natural methods. I don’t use harmful pesticides in my garden, but lawd, it is not an easy battle! But I am bound and determined to win the fight against those dern squash vine borers!

We do have two carpenter bees that have taken up residence in our shed. While our shed is not a fan, we leave them alone, because they still pollinate for us. So they’ve earned their keep. We’ve named them Pheobee Buzzfay and Polly Nator. Hopefully, they invite their friends and the garden stays full of our friendly pollinators!

Worms can also be an issue. While regular ol’ earthworms are AMAZING for your soil, you don’t want any hammerhead worms! They are TROUBLE. If you happen to find any of those in your garden, do NOT touch them with your bare hands. Bag em up and reach out to your local extension office to let them know. They will advise you on what to do next.

Planning and Budget

Last but certainly not least, time to plan your garden! What will you grow? Well…. That depends. What do you like to eat? What will your family eat? What kind of space do you have? What is your budget? What are your time constraints?

If you only take away one thing from this post, let it be: Grow what you and your family eat! No use wasting time, money, and precious garden space on things that will go to waste. Same goes for flowers. If you don’t like them, or they will be too much upkeep for your liking, don’t grow it!

How much time do you have on your hands? Do you work a 9-5, or something more flexible? Do you work overnight, and sleep during the day? Maybe you stay home! Do your children have fifty-eleven extracurricular activities that have you driving around all over town each weeknight? If you’re a bit limited on time, maybe hold off on growing anything that requires more attention and maintenance. Make your garden work for you, and make it work on YOUR time.

Budgeting is also important. Don’t overdo it and dig yourself into a hole with finances. Start small. You don’t have to do everything right away! Expand over time, if you need to. Check out weekly ads for deals, and online marketplaces for people practically giving away garden supplies like planters. Consider growing from seed, rather than just seedlings you purchase. It can be way more cost effective in the long run. Reuse items each year, as long as you can!

You don’t need fancy tools, fancy plans, or expensive items for your garden to succeed. You just need patience and a willingness to try!

Try not to get overwhelmed with all the information out there, and all the (daunting) tasks ahead of you. Take it one step at a time. Do a little research, observe your space. Decide what methods are best for you, and what will work best for you. Spend as little or as much money as you’d like. Remember, this is YOUR garden. Do what you want with it! And have fun with it. If you aren’t having fun with it, is it worth it? Don’t let it become more stress on you.