Planting For Beginners

The most important aspects of planting for beginners are location, water, and technique. You must also get to know your chosen plants. Pay close attention to the sunlight, water, soil, and growing zone recommendations. 

Planting For Beginners

Location

Pick a spot where your plant will thrive. Don't try to stick a sun loving plant in full shade or a shade loving plant in full sun no matter how much you love the plant. This sets you and your plant up for failure, and we definitely don't want that your first time around! If you don't already know your growing zone, figure it out now. 

The USDA Growing Zone Map has always been my best friend when it comes to figuring out growing zones. Growing zones are excellent guides that teach us what plants can grow where we live.

Water

Watering requirements will vary with different plants, but all plants require good watering during establishment. For this article, I will be recommending drought tolerant plants because they are easiest for beginners. But just because they are drought tolerant or even drought resistant does not mean they won’t need watering during the establishment period. The establishment period lasts for 2 to 3 months for most plants. This is when the roots start to grow and move into the new soil. Thorough waterings about twice per week is just what most plants need to grow healthy, deep roots. You want the water to penetrate the ground so deeply that the water is below the root ball of your new plant. 

Proper Planting Technique

1. Soak the soil of your potted plant within a couple hours of planting. This helps reduce shock. 
2. Dig a hole that is at least twice the width of your plant, but about the same depth. It never hurts to score the soil at the bottom of the hole or even till it to loosen the soil. If you have good soil that is easy to dig then you can skip that step. But, if you have difficult soil, like clay, that step is all the more important. 
3. Place your plant in the middle of the hole. For large plants and trees be sure that they are even and straight from all sides before filling the hole. 
4. This is a good time to water if the soil is dry. Fill up the hole and let it soak in. 
5. Now fill the native soil back in. You can use up to 50% planting mix mixed with the native soil if you have poor soil. Just keep in mind that your plant will need to acclimate to your native soil to survive. 
6. Use your hands to press down the soil to remove air pockets. Avoid using your feet as this can overly compact the soil and make it harder for your plants to thrive. 
7. Water at the base of your plant. Allow the ground to become thoroughly saturated. 
8. For beginning planters especially, I recommend adding a mound of mulch around your plant. Mulch protects the roots, keeps the soil moist longer, and reduces weeds that can compete with your plant for water and nutrients. The layer of mulch should be about 1 to 2 inches deep and go out at least a few inches from the dripline or the rootzone. The dripline is the outermost portion of the canopy. The rootzone is where the roots are. For this purpose they are the outermost roots or where the roots come out farthest from the plant. 

When to Plant

For warmer regions plant in fall or early to mid spring. You can even plant in winter if the ground doesn’t freeze in your area! For cooler climates plant in spring or early to mid fall. Give plants at least 6 weeks to begin to establish before the ground freezes completely. (This is not when freezing air temperatures begin, but rather when there are consistent freezing temperatures in the nighttime and daytime as well.)

Best Plants for Beginners

Flower Gardening for Beginners

Camellias - flowering shrubs with year-round interest

Creeping Phlox - colorful flowering groundcover

Daylilies - pops of color and nice texture

Drift Roses - groundcover roses for containers or the ground

Encore Azaleas - 3 seasons of gorgeous blooms on an evergreen bush

Knock Out Roses - hardy roses with flowers in spring, summer, and fall

Liriope - perfect border plant with lavender purple to blue flowers

Loropetalums - unique purple evergreen foliage on a pink flowering bush

Low Maintenance Plants

Hollies - evergreen classic

Hostas - shade loving perennials

Ligustrum - fast growing screening shrub

Ornamental Grasses - add texture and beauty

Succulents - drought resistant groundcover or container plants

Citronella Plant - oils from this plant keep mosquitos away

Easy to Grow Trees 

American Sycamore Tree - large classic shade tree

Crape Myrtles - stunning flowering trees with a long bloom season

Oak Trees - great shade and street trees

Redbud Trees - vibrant spring bloomers

Thuja Green Giant - best evergreen privacy tree

Willow Trees - add shade and beauty

Maple Trees - beautiful fall color

Now you know how to plant, when to plant, and what to plant. Planting for beginners is a lot to digest, but you've got this! Don’t feel overwhelmed! You can start small with just one plant or tree. Gardening is so rewarding. It makes your home beautiful and your body healthy. Now get to it! Happy planting, beginners!

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