In late March, interest in growing a garden hit an all-time high, according to Google Trends, while U.S. seed company W. Atlee Burpee & Co. reportedly sold more seeds then than any time in its 144-year history. The reason was simple: People were craving a smart solution to address the food supply anxiety that the coronavirus outbreak has caused (read more on that here).

But even as life slowly returns to "normal," the intrigue around starting a garden remains — Good Housekeeping saw a nearly 200% increase in interest around our gardening content in May 2020 compared to last year.

Whether you desire to exercise your creativity, boost your home's curb appeal, or lead a healthier lifestyle, starting a garden from scratch is a fun way to accomplish these goals. In fact, Gwenn Fried, manager of Horticulture Therapy at NYU Langone’s Rusk Rehabilitation, notes that it's worth truly considering its health benefits, ranging from lowering blood pressure to lifting your mood. "Nature has a huge impact on health and wellness," says Fried. "We know that people's cortisol levels go down in a calm, green environment."

Along with a willingness to roll up your sleeves and get a bit dirty, growing a healthy garden as a novice calls for patience and basic knowledge about plant types (and how to arrange them), the proper way to tend to soil, and the best tools to rely on. Here, we're sharing the ultimate gardening guide for beginners, whether you're looking to grow healthy vegetables or Instagram-worthy plants and flowers. Plus, discover some of our favorite gardening tools available to shop online right now.


Vegetables 101

7 tips for a high yield vegetable garden, even when space is tight
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7 Tips for a High-Yield Vegetable Garden (Even When Space is Tight)

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how to grow tomatoes
The Best Way to Grow Tomatoes
how to grow onion
How to Plant and Harvest Onions
how to grow potatoes
7 Tips for Growing Perfect Potatoes
how to grow sweet potatoes
Grow Sweet Potatoes in Your Own Backyard
how to grow cucumbers
The Right Way to Grow Cucumbers from Seeds
how to grow asparagus
Practical Pointers on Growing Asparagus

easiest vegetables to grow in your garden
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10 Easy Vegetables to Grow Without Help from a Pro

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Flowers + Plants 101

colorful illustration of summer flowers and a butterfly
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Summer Flowers for the Prettiest Garden Ever

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best perennials to grow in your garden
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The Best Perennial Flowers for Any Yard

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how to grow succulents
Helpful Tips for Growing Succulents
how to grow sunflowers
Our Best Advice to Grow Sunflowers
how to grow basil
Follow These Tips to Grow Basil


easiest flowers to grow in your garden
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10+ Easy-to-Grow Flowers for a Standout Garden

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Essential Tools

the most popular gardening tools you can find on amazon
The Most Popular Gardening Tools You Can Find on Amazon
illustration of bark mulch, an example of one of the best types of mulch for your garden
How to Find the Best Type of Mulch for Your Garden
best gardening gloves to keep your hands in great shape
Gardening Gloves to Keep Your Hands in Great Shape
Headshot of Monique Valeris
Monique Valeris
Home Design Director

Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."