Your Guide to Planting Your First Garden

In-Ground Beds

• Best if you have a sunny patch and decent access to water.
• Build a 4×8 ft bed (or two). Add 2–3″ compost and mulch.
• Great for bigger harvests and soil building over time.

Containers & Small Spaces

• Perfect for patios, balconies, and renters.
• Use large pots: 20 gal for tomatoes, 7–10 gal peppers.
• Drains fast; watering is more frequent (see below).

Hydroponics (Indoors)

• Clean, fast, year-round salads and herbs.
• Kratky jars (no pumps) or small DWC/aero kits.
• Great for kitchens, spare rooms, or a garage shelf.

Use Seedlings (Starts) for

Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, most herbs. Faster and simpler your first season.

Direct-Seed

Radish, carrots, beets, peas, beans, arugula, spinach, lettuce.

Starting Seeds Indoors (Quick)

• Use seed-starting mix (fine, sterile).
• LED grow light 2–4″ above seedlings, 14–16 hrs/day.
• Bottom-water; a small fan builds sturdy stems.
• Harden off 7–10 days before planting out.

In-Ground

• About 1″ per week (rain + irrigation).
• Deep, infrequent soaks; mornings are best.
• Mulch 2–3″ to hold moisture.

Containers

• Check daily in warm weather.
• Water until it drains from the holes; empty saucers.
• Drip + hose timer = sanity saver.

Hydroponics

• Top up with water; change nutrients every 1–2 weeks (DWC).
• Target pH 5.8–6.2 for greens/herbs.
• Keep reservoir ~65–70°F.

Cool-Season (Spring/Fall)

Lettuce, spinach, arugula, peas, radish, carrots, beets, kale, broccoli. Many tolerate light frost.

Warm-Season (Late Spring–Summer)

Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, beans, basil. Plant after your final frost.

Sun Guide

• Full sun (6–8+ hrs): tomatoes, peppers, cukes, squash, beans.
• Part sun (3–5 hrs): lettuce, spinach, arugula, parsley, chives.
• In hot zones, give afternoon shade to cool-season crops.

In-Ground (Full Sun)

• 2 cherry tomatoes (sturdy cages)
• 2 cucumbers on a trellis
• Bush beans
• 1 zucchini (corner plant)
• Basil, parsley, chives

Containers (Full Sun)

• 1 dwarf/patio tomato (20 gal)
• 1 pepper (7–10 gal)
• 1 cucumber with mini trellis (10–15 gal)
• Rail box: lettuce + chives
• Mint in its own pot

Indoor Hydro

• Lettuce, arugula, bok choy
• Basil, dill, cilantro
• Advanced: dwarf peppers, cherry tomatoes

Pot Sizes

• Tomato: 20 gal grow bag/pot
• Pepper: 7–10 gal
• Cucumber: 10–15 gal + trellis
• Herbs/greens: 3–5 gal

Container Care

• Water deeply; in heat, check daily.
• Slow-release fertilizer at planting; light liquid feed every 2–3 weeks.
• Mulch pots with fine bark to slow evaporation.

Methods

• Kratky: jars/totes, no pumps—great for lettuce/basil.
• DWC: air pump + stone; fast greens/herbs.
• Countertop kits: lights + pump built in.

Light & Nutrients

• LED grow lights 14–16 hrs/day for greens.
• Keep pH ~5.8–6.2; change solution every 1–2 weeks.
• Reservoir ~65–70°F; add airflow if warm.

Starter Builds

• Mason-jar Kratky + 3″ net cup + clay pebbles.
• 10–18 gal DWC tote with 6 net cups + air pump.
• Small countertop kit: basil/dill/lettuce pods.

Essentials

• Hand trowel, pruning shears (Felco/Fiskars/Corona)
• Nitrile-grip gloves (Atlas/SHOWA 370)
• Sturdy tomato cages/trellis + plant ties
• Soaker hose or drip kit + hose timer (Orbit B-hyve)
• Labels & a simple garden notebook

Nice-to-Have

• Soil thermometer
• Compost bin or worm bin
• pH/moisture meter (basic)
• Row cover/insect net & frost cloth

Safety

• Lift with legs; keep blades sharp.
• Store tools and fertilizers away from kids/pets.
• Read labels on any sprays; use targeted, organic options.

Pollinator/Butterfly

• Native nectar plants + host plants (e.g., milkweed for monarchs).
• Blooms spring → fall; keep some stems/leaves over winter.
• Skip pesticides; use insect net if needed.

Japanese-Inspired Calm

• Simple palette, strong shapes, and open space.
• One focal maple, evergreens, stone/gravel you can rake.
• Prune for balance; avoid clutter.

Flowers vs. Veggies

• Cut-flowers: zinnia, cosmos, sunflower, calendula, strawflower.
• Veg & herbs: cherry tomato, cucumber, beans, lettuce, basil.
• Mix them—flowers boost pollination and look great.

Leaves Yellowing

• Overwatering: let top soil dry; improve drainage.
• Low nitrogen: add light organic feed; top-dress compost.

Pests

• Aphids: hose off; insecticidal soap.
• Cabbage worms: row cover early; hand-pick.
• Slugs/snails: dusk patrol; copper on pots; iron phosphate bait.

Diseases

• Powdery mildew: prune for airflow; water soil, not leaves.
• Blossom end rot: keep watering even; don’t swing wet→dry.