Gardening is a fulfilling and accessible way to connect with nature, whether you're growing flowers, vegetables or simply tending to houseplants.
A beginner's guide to: Gardening
horticulture, urban gardening, plant parenting
Get started with our gardening practice instructions in our free mobile app
- • Identify focus areas for growth
- • Discover activities for improvement
- • Track and reflect on progress
- • Adjust your wellness routine
Get the app
In a hurry and don't have any questions?
Check out our safety recommendations.
Prepare a list of essential gardening supplies.
Choose your plants thoughtfully.
Designate a suitable space for potting and settling new plants.
When you are ready, head to our Practice Guides and get started.
Need a hand getting started? Our app is packed with beginner-friendly Practice Instructions for every activity—and way more where that came from. Hit the button up top and get moving.
What is gardening?
Gardening is a rewarding activity that anyone can try, whether you have a big backyard or a small apartment balcony. It’s more than just planting flowers – it’s about nurturing life, creating beauty and even growing your own food. Gardening can be as simple or as complex as you like, from easy indoor plants to fully landscaped gardens. It offers a perfect opportunity to step outside, unwind and watch things grow. Plus, there’s a sense of pride and accomplishment when you see, share or eat the results of your hard work. Ready to dig in and start your gardening journey? Let’s get growing!
What gardening looks like
Why gardening is good for you
Gardening lifts mood and reduces stress. Tending plants also encourages physical activity, fosters creativity, and builds purpose.
Stronger social ties
Focus area: Social connection (Impact rating: High)
More moderate exercise
Focus area: Physical activity (Impact rating: High)
Higher positive mood
Focus area: Lightheartedness (Impact rating: High)
Refreshed attention
Focus area: Focus (Impact rating: Medium)
Sense of purpose
Focus area: Purpose (Impact rating: Medium)
Stress relief
Focus area: Recovery (Impact rating: Medium)
People who love gardening
Monty Don
Person
Isla Fisher
Actor
Drew Barrymore
Actor
Gardening Australia
TV Show
Real people's experiences
Starting gardening? Read this first
Is it finally time for the world to see that you have a green thumb? We know you're eager to get your supplies together and start your growing adventure. Gardening can be a beneficial activity for everyone, but before you head out, read through the following details.
Common styles
Backyard Gardening
Community Gardens
Container Gardening
Indoor Pot Plants
Safety
⚠️
Wear protective clothing, a hat and sunscreen where required.
⚠️
Use correct lifting techniques.
⚠️
Follow instructions on pesticides and fertilisers.
⚠️
Stay hydrated.
What you might experience
🤔
"What do I need besides pots?"
😊
"Planting those seeds was weirdly exciting!"
😬
"I hope I’m doing this right."
😌
"I enjoyed that and it looks great."
😊
"Please grow!"
Try gardening today
- • Identify focus areas for growth
- • Discover activities for improvement
- • Track and reflect on progress
- • Adjust your wellness routine
What you need to know about gardening
Let's compare three different ways to start gardening for the first time: self-led (using online guided sources), group (IRL) and 1:1 with an instructor (online or IRL).
Compare
Recommendation for first-timer
Availability
Average cost per session
Special equipment required
Potential for socialisation & community
Safety & skill building
Space or privacy required
Ease of scheduling
Setup time
Active practice time
Unexpected advantages
Ancestry, history, facts and other trivia
"The Secret Garden" is a beloved children's book where the main character brings a hidden garden back to life.
In ancient Egypt, lettuce was considered an aphrodisiac and dedicated to the god Min.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, may be the first known vertical garden.
Plants can "communicate" by releasing chemical signals to warn others of insect attacks.
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3 facts
Popular memes
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11 memes
Academic research we rate
Indoor Nature Interventions for Health and Wellbeing of Older Adults in Residential Settings: A Systematic Review
Yeo, N. L., Elliott, L. R., Bethel, A., White, M. P., Dean, S. G., & Garside, R. (2019). Indoor Nature Interventions for Health and Wellbeing of Older Adults in Residential Settings: A Systematic Review. The Gerontologist, 60(3), e184–e199. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnz019
The impact of gardening on well-being, mental health, and quality of life: an umbrella review and meta-analysis
Panțiru, I., Ronaldson, A., Sima, N., Dregan, A., & Sima, R. (2024). The impact of gardening on well-being, mental health, and quality of life: an umbrella review and meta-analysis. Systematic Reviews, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-024-02457-9
Community Garden Initiatives Addressing Health and Well-Being Outcomes: A Systematic Review of Infodemiology Aspects, Outcomes, and Target Populations
Gregis, A., Ghisalberti, C., Sciascia, S., Sottile, F., & Peano, C. (2021). Community Garden Initiatives Addressing Health and Well-Being Outcomes: A Systematic Review of Infodemiology Aspects, Outcomes, and Target Populations. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), 1943. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041943
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7 research pieces
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