There’s nothing quite like the first proper sunny Sunday after a miserable winter. You finally peel yourself off the sofa, tug on some old trainers, and stare at the garden. And what a state it is. A bit of lawn that’s gone rogue, a sad-looking border with more weeds than soil, and maybe a forgotten pot with something brown in it. Been there? Welcome to the club. Gardening in the UK isn’t about having a pristine plot straight out of a magazine. It’s about getting stuck in, learning from your mistakes, and enjoying the odd victory—like the one time your tomatoes actually ripened before the blight got them.
Start Small, Seriously
It’s tempting to go full-on Alan Titchingham on day one. Don’t. I once decided to dig over the entire back garden in one go. By mid-afternoon, my back had given up and so had my enthusiasm. Start with a small patch or a few containers. You’ll feel like you’ve achieved something, and you won’t hate gardening by Monday morning. Raised beds are brilliant for this—they’re easier on your back, drain well (handy in our damp climate), and keep the lawn from staging a hostile takeover.
Know Your Soil (Sort Of)
You don’t need a science degree, but it helps to know if you’re dealing with sticky clay, sandy stuff that drains in five minutes, or that lovely loamy stuff everyone dreams of. A quick squeeze test tells you a lot: clay feels slick and stays in a lump; sand crumbles; loam holds together but breaks easily. If you’re on heavy clay like me, don’t fight it—add compost, grit, and raised beds. And for goodness’ sake, don’t try to dig it when it’s sodden unless you want shoes that weigh a tonne.
Pick Reliably Tough Plants
Some plants thrive on neglect; others throw a tantrum if you look at them wrong. For beginners, go hardy. Geraniums (the proper cranesbill types, not the bedding ones), astrantia, and hostas laugh at shade and rain. Lavender and rosemary love sun but need decent drainage—perfect for that sunny, dry spot by the wall. And if you want easy veg, start with salad leaves, radishes, and dwarf beans. They grow fast, so you get results before the slugs notice.
The Great British Weather Tango
Our weather likes to keep us guessing. One minute it’s pouring; the next, it’s a heatwave. The trick? Flexibility. Mulch around plants to lock in moisture when it’s hot and stop the soil turning to soup when it’s not. Invest in a water butt—they save money and your plants prefer rainwater anyway. And always have cloches or fleece handy for those unexpected late frosts. They’ll save your spuds from a nasty surprise.
Deal with Slugs and Snails Without Losing the Plot
Slugs. The eternal nemesis. Beer traps work, but you’ll spend half your time fishing out drowned woodlice. Copper tape around pots is decent-ish. My go-to? Nematodes—tiny worms that you water into the soil. They’re a bit spendy, but they don’t leave slimy trails everywhere. For the eco-friendly lot, encourage hedgehogs, frogs, and birds. They’ll do pest control for free while looking cute.
Embrace the Seasons
Gardening isn’t a one-season sprint. Spring is all about seeds and tidy-ups. Summer? Watering, deadheading, and pretending you know how to prune tomatoes. Autumn is for clearing leaves, planting bulbs (daffs, alliums, tulips), and smugly admiring your pumpkins. Winter is planning, mulching, and admiring the brave skeletons of seed heads left for the birds. Each season brings something different—and the chance to learn from last year’s disasters.
Find Your People
Gardening can feel lonely, especially when your seedlings keel over for no reason. Chat to neighbours over the fence—odds are they’ve got a war story or spare plants to share. Local allotments are goldmines for tips, and online groups are full of folks arguing about the best way to stop pigeons eating peas. It’s not just about plants; it’s about community.
Don’t Let Perfect Be the Enemy of Good
Your garden won’t be flawless. Weeds will win sometimes. Plants will die. You’ll plant something in the wrong spot and spend three years digging it up again. So what? It’s your patch. Messy, vibrant, and a little bit wild is often the best kind of garden. After all, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s the joy of stepping outside with a cuppa and spotting a new bud, a bee busy on a flower, or just a spot of earth that you actually managed to weed. Simple pleasures, right?