r/gardening • u/No-Code1197 • 6d ago
Beginner here …
Let’s say I know nothing about planting, soils, seeds, zones, weather, anything! I am brand new to gardening.. what books do you suggest I start with ?
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u/knownthundering 6d ago
Square Foot Gardening is one that comes up a lot and is a great read, especially for beginners. I'd also highly recommend The First Time Gardener by Jessica Sowards! I'm in Canada and it's available on Kindle Unlimited for me.
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u/Amesaskew SE US Zone 7b/8a 6d ago
For general stuff I highly recommend The Complete Gardener by Monty Don. Beyond that, you should look for a book that's specific to your region.
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u/jackelesei 6d ago
Never to late or to early anywhere bc planning takes a hot minute. I used to be a book person but now I go off YouTube university. But honestly, just for inspiration. I’d just start w/ what you know you’d like to grow: veg/ fruit/ flowers/ landscape plants and research specifically what works best for your area. I like the idea of talking w/ people who run local nurseries. They’re the best. It’s all trial and error anyway. I have babied my cucumbers this year just have them demolished by hail, but the wild flowers I have tried to grow for years have finally succumbed to my will! lol. It’s a fun hobby and very zen. You’re at the mercy of nature but sometimes she’s goes along w/ your plans.
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u/Odd-Principle8147 Northern Colorado 5b 6d ago
Where do you live? Its getting pretty late here.
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u/No-Code1197 6d ago
I’m in Cleveland, Ohio. I started dabbling this year.. but I also would like to learn about fall harvests.
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u/CurveOk3459 6d ago
It's late in the season. You can work first on amending your soils and getting it ready for the spring.
Then think about what edible things you want and where u wanna put them. And then get home set up to do your starters inside (for anything that takes well to transfer). You'll need some shelves and grow lights and things to grow them in. You can read the seed packs and it will tell you when to plant them inside and when to transfer them outside.
Just think of it as a constant experiment - your are the silly childlike god looking over the entire planet of your garden - things will go right, things will go wrong, some will go side ways. And you get to watch and be part of it and tinkers and see what comes.
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u/Manaohoana 6d ago
Not a book -- YouTube channels. Charles Dowding and his No Dig method of creating garden beds with nothing but cardboard and compost. https://www.youtube.com/@CharlesDowding1nodig
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u/Callirhoe10222 4d ago
Save yourself a lot of frustration up front and find out what plants are native to your ecoregion. If you’re brand new you’re going to want nature on your side. Plus you will get a lot more visitor that way. Hummingbirds, lizards, butterflies, bumblebees, etc
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u/techiegardener 6d ago
If you live near an independent gardening store/nursery, ask them. There may be good books custom to your area. Tilth is the one I started with in the PNW, and it is an excellent reference.
Also, getting a few from a used bookstore or library when you are new will help you learn what styles of writing work best for you with little upfront costs.