It’s tempting to grow everything in the catalog, but for your first year,

Think of soil as your garden’s engine. If the soil is poor, the garden won’t go anywhere. Use a simple kit to check your pH.

Don’t make yourself lug heavy hoses across the yard. Place your garden near a water source.

Ideal for small spaces. Pots on a deck can grow almost anything from herbs to peppers. 3. Focus on the Soil

Great for beginners. They offer better drainage, fewer weeds, and you can fill them with perfect soil from the start.

Cover the soil with straw or shredded leaves to keep moisture in and weeds out.