How to garden - what every beginner gardener needs to know....

[@ashleymccarthy6232]

Brand new to gardening. One thing I've learnt to do is remember it's your hobby. You're not trying to win Chelsea or feed the nation. You do this for fun, so, make sure it is!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Good point!

[@handyvickers]

Yeah, great advice there.... If it makes you happy, you're doing a good job..!!

[@seedrootsprouts2290]

You are quickly becoming my favorite!

[@Gerald0613]

perv

[@adrabruzzese7610]

Agree 100%! Such great advice. I learned the hard way, put plants in the wrong place, pulled perrenials in early spring thinking they were weeds and weeded too much so the annuals that reseeded couldnt mature. Took me 3 yrs of really hard work to figure this out. The one thing I have never done is use pesticides and herbicides because i refuse to use poison and i only use organic fertilizer sparingly and guess what? I do not have pest issues. Also I give a plant 3 chances, if I plant something and it dies I only try two more times and then I'm done. Thank you Alexandra this advice is great for new and old gardeners alike!

[@julesseahorses]

I absolutely LOVE this video. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I want to make a cottage garden but am really a complete novice. This channel is EXACTLY what I was looking for and is presented so well. THANK YOU…

[@fareebug8439]

I do enjoy your videos so very much. 💗

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much!

[@DeHoeveOldBelgianFarm]

Great advices! I especially liked the part of “low-maintenance” garden. Combining such plants with a small number of annuals (to bring more colours and variety) could be a perfect setup and maintenance effort.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@terianders4395]

This is the best gardening advice I’ve heard. I’ve been gardening for many years in Virginia, USA (zone 7a). I wish I would have had this information when I first started. Thank you. I really like your channel.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@0MGJanice]

Thanks

[@janereel1903]

Excellent content. Love your blog & videos.

[@athomewithfrancsicio]

Good Morning! Happy Saturday thanks for the awesome tips. What a beautiful butterfly blouse, lovely color!💕

[@AnnMarieKing]

Excellent tips as always! Pre-weeding and taking time to understand the microclimates in your garden were most valuable for me. Thank you!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@meagera333]

I often recommend to people design the garden with winter interest in mind as the garden should then look good all year. Also position if possible, key structural plants of interest ie nice trees or plants with year round appeal opposite your kitchen window or where you can see them from your favourite seat in the house if this is feasible. Good tips and I enjoy your videos very much.

[@beatriceanderson9745]

I love your butterfly jacket!💖🦋🦋🦋🦋😊

[@Decemberarcher]

I really needed that last tip. I thought I was a plant killer, I didn't realise that plants diedd at the hands of "experts" too. Very comforting to know it's likely not my fault

[@susans1679]

It took me many years to come to really accept that!! Mom guilt transferred to gardening. There is a lovely gardener in the US - Linda Vater. She and Alexandra are two of my faves. Linda gives every plant three strikes and you’re out. Move it once, move it twice, move it to the compost (or give it to someone else to try).

[@andreayaya]

Your channel is pure gold.

[@christinepops5100]

Wonderful video Alexandria! I always learn something new from your videos. Happy Spring!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! You too!

[@maryannbennett4749]

Thank you This was a very helpful video . I a m 84 and was Lucy enough to have had a large walled garden for 50 years, I now live in a bungalow which is surrounded by rhododendrons and Camélia & Azaleas. No lovely sunny border, so I am faced with completely different circumstances , I have been here for 3 seasons and having done what Alexandra described I am slowly putting my idea of what I like in a garden inti practice.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

How interesting to start again, and thank you for your comments.

[@ingridcornwell4341]

This video is right on time. We must be sharing a “psychic vibe”! I had just decided that, after last year being what it was, I must concentrate on low maintenance gardening, more bulbs, shrubs and perennials, where I should set up some rain collection system areas AND “that’s not a weed, I just haven’t figured out its uses yet”. And this morning, voila! Your wonderful video covered it all. I even watched it twice! Thank you so much. 😊

[@SMElder-od5cl]

Alexandra, as a previous correspondent mentioned, lower maintenance garden is becoming more desirable especially as we get older. Would you do a video on shrubs sometime?

[@RoseMary-vs3io]

👌good advice as per usual👍✨

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@anthonyheery7907]

"If you're new to gardening, you've taken on a new garden - or even if you've got stuck in a rut with your old garden" ..... maybe not stuck in a rut but definitely stuck and struggling to make forward progress!... your videos are very encouraging...keep up the good work.

[@sarahbarton2089]

Very helpful....and hopeful as usual. Thank you.

[@Belzedar]

Sonovagun! I had just come in to take a break from reclaiming the abandoned back garden. I'm trying using a hoe this time, my fingernails are weeping with gratitude. Anyway, I had left KZbin on autoplay and I found it playing this clip just at the bit about the northern exposure. In the next 10 minutes, nearly all my questions were answered: plant selection, tools, having a decent garden and still having a life.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

So glad to hear it!

[@danielleabbott1406]

Great video I know nothing about gardening but have a garden that I could make beautiful. You have inspired me to get started

[@estherhandy1]

This was brilliant. It made no assumptions of the knowledge of the listener which means as a complete beginner it all made sense. Thank you

[@ritacarter1756]

This is a really informative site - you can tell you're hearing it from someone who has been there, done it, and knows!

[@janetcorey5102]

Invaluable information. Where were you 30 years ago. I have great gardens established all by trial and error. I had to have patience, and it was costly. I’d say ask older gardeners with beautiful gardens bc they will gladly show, tell and maybe share🌺

[@susanwade2638]

Love your channel!

[@barbkenas5663]

Great basic info! Your scarf is gorgeous and I love your beautiful dog!

[@alice_rabbit8345]

I have a shady north facing area of my garden. I fought with it for awhile and now accepted it as a natural woodland area.

[@dorothyalai2671]

Always learning

[@2gooddrifters]

Brilliant advice. My tip is at the end of the day walk round your garden and have a look at what you have done, ignore what still needs doing, that can wait until tomorrow.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Excellent advice!

[@laurieanne9712]

I love your top--perfect for your channel!!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@christinemongeau4355]

Thank you so much for your suggestions. I like particularly the idea of sitting in your garden in different places to get a perspective of the sun. I never thought of that so important and very obvious but missed by me. Your garden is gorgeous! Love your videos.

[@claudiagerisch4147]

I live in my house for 17 years now and started LAST YEAR to sit somewhere else than my favourite place for reading...and i now know how to make other areas of my garden prettyer than just the lookout from my favourite place..balkony for example..💖🌱👍

[@jo-annpotter9389]

After 30 years of gardening in USDAZone8b, we retired to the mountains and Zone6. A new place to grow and learn! I’m loving it. Glad I found your chanel.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! And I hope you're enjoying your new start.

[@jefftaplin946]

Always a wonderful way to begin my Saturday mornings with a cuppa and a new video from you! Now I feel all charged up to tackle the garden and so a bit of planting. Thank you from Springfield, Missouri USA❤️❤️🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@meredith3588]

Weed! Garden Answer suggested dividing your yard into seven zones and picking a zone for each day of the week to focus on, so you have eyes on every area each week. I tend to visit the north side of my house less and when I do go there I am amazed how overgrown it has become. I'm trying this system this season to see if it helps. I tend to get wrapped up on one project and work till it is done and it hasn't been working for me all that well.

[@emiliehohner2531]

Very good advice. Thank you. 😊

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

You are so welcome!

[@michelleboyd379]

Thank you so much for sharing these tips and valuable pieces of information to someone like me, a beginning gardener. I simply love it! M

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I'm so glad it's helpful!

[@shamsjaffer15]

Thank you so much for the amazing video. Very informative as always 👍👍

[@detectoruser]

So very pleased that I came across this brilliant video. My wife is now sadly in a care home and was the gardening genius, I was the labourer! Buying the next house soon and its has big front and rear gardens that have been well taken care of. Also has a garden pond. So I need to learn from scratch as to what to do on arrival. Will be making lots of notes on what I need to do, but will take things slowly and only do something when I understand WHY. Locked garden shed yet to be explored and hopefully lots of gardening tools etc stored within. The house is identical to Linda old family house that is 11 doors away! Thanks so much, I hope my brain cells can cope, great commentary as well, Liam

[@mikeadamson6696]

Another informative video , I like using rain water becuse its better than tap water ( being softwater and better fot plants ) but as you said you need more than 1 butt . Its best to keep your eye open for second hand sites for a good bargin

[@josephherron5190]

Greetings from dublin in Rep of Ireland. Your video is very educational .

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nelidascott6917]

Another great and helpful post ! Thank you ❤️☺️

[@heatherhui938]

Gardeners learn by trowel and error - love it! And your helpful videos, of course.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@rayk682]

Absolutely on time! As always good advise! Every week I wait for your uploads. Please keep doing what you are doing .

[@stephenk4834]

Excellent video and so easy to follow.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you liked it

[@paulinewqi]

This is a very good gardening talk....so much information, must file away for reference and to share with friends.. Your scarf/ shawl is simply stunningly gorgeous... Thanks so much for sharing...💝💐 BTW....I love your mantra..."gardeners learn by trowel and error"...👍

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thanks for sharing!! And I love the scarf too - I'd never worn it like that before, but it was chilly in the potting shed and it is remarkably warm for something so light.

[@shugyosha7924]

I was so surprised to see Jack in this video. I used to work with him before he quit to do gardening. Great to see he’s doing well.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Yes, he is and has had several books published.

[@Flower_hoarder]

🌼ALWAYS 🌺ALWAYS 🌹 ALWAYS🌸HELPFUL‼️🌻

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@bettinaschmid1158]

Very helpful! Thank you so much!!

[@michellebeissel3937]

Since we are relocating from southwest France to central Portugal sometime this year, your advice is especially timely. Though I am a seasoned gardener who have had gardens in three different countries, I had forgotten the most important perspective which is DO NOTHING the first year except of course to observe how the garden reveals itself throughout the season.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I hope you enjoy your new garden - very exciting.

[@melainecampbell3398]

I enjoy your videos very much with such a wealth of knowledge. Love your butterfly shawl/scarf, it's gorgeous! Greetings from South Carolina and summer home in North Carolina mountains where I do most of my gardening.

[@landscapedesignmanagement]

Thank you. Loved this video 🧑‍🌾

[@sylviaprudhomme5417]

Always enjoy and learn

[@onalightmission]

Thank you very much for making this!

[@rickvandijk2446]

Going into my third year of ‘active’ gardening and getting excited for this year’s plans, this video comes at the perfect time. Remember the basics, don’t be afraid to try and make mistakes and most of all have a good time and enjoy. Thanks for your advice!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you1

[@paultsworld]

I'll have to check to see if I have "Mind-your-own-business". It looks interesting and I could do with some just for the name! I have the similar looking ivy-leafed toadflax growing in my little sandstone wall.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

MYOB is great in pots, too.

[@sarahmarti141]

Great video. Very useful information. Thanks.

[@claireleung5716]

Thank you for this video which I so need your advices; even though is 1year old. This is my third year in my “new” garden and I only just realised because of the size, I could be working there every hour of the day and would never keep up with all the jobs. Despite I have a gardener doing the general up keep every fortnight. At least I did one thing right, which was for first year I did nothing. Just to see what comes up from the ground. Then last year, I attempted some bulbs , annuals and a rose. I am a novice but excited gardener. So I find All your videos are so applicable. You seem to answer all the questions in my head😆.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@jillianhealy3591]

Great video. Thank you for your advice❤️

[@Peter-Reactor]

Subscribed. I'm off work for a little while so have decided to give gardening a go, this video was a fantastic introduction and I'm going to check out your links in the description also. It's time to stop living in a scene from Jumanji 😁

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I hope you enjoy it!

[@pongop]

Thank you for the excellent overview and guide!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lindahyatt3935]

Great advice. I enjoy all your videos, though. Your scarf is absolutely stunning and is very complimentary to your colouring. It is so beautiful that I thought you would receive lots of comments about it.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Oh thank you!

[@marcellacoblentz8433]

I simply love all your videos especially the great tips in this one. Would love a video on how to set up the multiple rain barrels in this one.

[@gabrielladeprez6436]

Great advice. I'd add that how cold your garden is makes a great deal of difference to what you can grow and how long you can enjoy it for. I grew up in Kent and London and my parents lived in Sussex so drool over your garden now that I live in Edinburgh. Miss everything looking so bountiful. Enjoying your channel very much.

[@jackiequeen4481]

I love your videos, you are so common-sense forward. I also love your voice, it's so calm.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! 😊

[@maryanna6302]

Placement and location is so important as you point out. My first veg garden was large and far from the house, it didn't flourish and I dropped it after one year. My kitchen garden now is close to the house and I love it. Also, do you have a video about the proper use and maintenance of garden tools? Mine are looking rather poorly I'm afraid. Thank you for your weekly videos, much appreciated!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you - a video on tools is a good idea, but I don't have one yet. One for the list!

[@hbanana7]

Wow!! This is so helpful!!Thank you!!

[@lovelyinlux82]

Thank you so much for your wonderful videos!!! I am so glad to have found you. It's the perfect mix of information, encouragement, inspiration and advice.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@nativesedibles2454]

Love the sitting in a chair advice! Now that's Zen 🤣I've been gardening since mud pies were on the menu, BUT we all need a refresher course and this was lovely and helpful. I could only add in totally agreement with hand weeding a couple of encouraging phrases like every weedy flower head you catch before dispersing is equal to pulling hundreds and sometimes thousands of weeds, and weeds are just plants with virtues unknown. For new gardens I think waiting if possible a full year before ripping out plants is helpful , the plant you thought was boring in one season might be glorious the next , forsythia, flowering quince are obvious, while the search for that luscious winter fragrance of sarcococca coming off a mundane sweetbox could be a welcome surprise.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Absolutely agree, very good points

[@manalani3724]

love your videos...thank you so much for your help and information.

[@janettempest716]

I love your videos you are brilliant 🤩 thank you 🙏 I have learned so much from you❤️😇❤️

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@lottieandalbert]

I never normally comment on videos but this was honestly brilliant and so helpful!! Thank you!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@kyracl7318]

Just discovered your channel, I'm a new gardener and I cant to learn from your channel!

[@conservativemovement]

Thank you again!

[@Debbieanne51]

I'm a new sub rider, and I'm really enjoying you channel. So thank you.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@GrannysGarden]

I totally agree with you Alexandra. My advice is also do nothing, get a chair (preferably with a nice cup of tea) and watch the sun, live with what you have got for a few months and then start. I like the tip on talking to neighbours to identify local weeds. That would be really useful if you are new to an area or indeed maybe changing into a hotter or colder gardening zone. And yes we all kill plants, sometimes we know the reason and could kick ourselves and other times it's a mystery. Great video.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@butterbean3892]

Thank you for a lovely, helpful video 🙂

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@alessandramurillo710]

Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦. I’m a newbie in gardening… but already learning a lot with your videos. Thanks Alexandra!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@caroldurand6803]

Thank you!

[@TheEnduringGardener]

So paving scraper and hand trowel are now on my shopping list. Some great tips here Alexandra as always 😊

[@ennasus5964]

This is a 5 star video, the best compilation of the essentials of gardening and most helpful advice for beginners and others! I garden for some years now but realized how seldom I sit IN the garden to look from different perspectives. Most times I sit and look AT the garden from the terrace. I will change that. Thank you!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@busynana7917]

Thank-you for some wonderful advice & encouragement! 🙏😊

[@rivoruss]

A thoroughly informative video

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you think so!

[@Afrinaturality]

So reassuring, thank you. I'm looking for a property with a garden and I've never had my own garden before. Hoping I really get into it!

[@besttunes8613]

brilliant video and advice for a newbie gardener.

[@rgroves1484]

Really helpful x

[@rosejacks8662]

Thank you, very good information!❤️

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@alexandros1973]

Alexandra, you delivered again! Great video 👌❤️

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@Angie-ci1lp]

Very nice,informative. Thank you.

[@RasalynnLynx]

Such great advice on this video, I really enjoyed the advice for just sitting in the garden to think about what you want! Linking informational videos is also really nice. In case you didn't know though, the Burning Bush, aka Winged Burning Bush is considered highly invasive. At least where I am from, the seeds get spread by birds and wind up in the woods outcompeting the native habitats our state extension is having lots of issues trying to get where people can't buy it as an ornamental shrub anymore. I saw it on your shrub example and figured I'd let you know in case you didn't already. :)

[@adov]

i love how clear and to the point your videos are. awesome practical and real-life advice!!

[@dulciew1241]

just getting into gardening and absolutely loved this video, so excited to get into it and this video was one of the best guides!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@dorotaazzopardi8718]

I am hooked 🌷❤️🙏

[@lynbuerkett8537]

So good!! I’ve only been gardening for a couple seasons....never had the time or even desire while I was raising our children and working full time 😂 (although we did plant annuals in pots for our porch, that’s all I took the time or had the skill to do!). Now retired and in a different home with a couple acres, I have a blank slate, and it’s overwhelming! But I have sooo enjoyed learning from experts I have found on you tube and perusing beautiful gardening books. This was so helpful, and my favorite tip is the first one - at first, do nothing! That’s what I have been doing, taking my time and trying to learn where I get the best sun and where I have good shade and what types of plants I like as well as what will grow well in my area. Bit by bit we are getting there. Thank you expertise, and the “permission” to try, even if it fails!

[@0204tmar]

Always look forward to your gardening talks, so informative. Thank you! Would love to get my hands on those beautiful Allium Purple Sensations here in South Africa, but unfortunately they are not available here.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

That's a pity!

[@ammorales1524]

Thanks for the tips!

[@colbat7214]

You’re fantastic! I love your very informative videos xox

[@nigelhedley6353]

Brilliant video ! So interesting can't wait for the next.need lots of help and advice as now retired will have time to get out in my little garden and with your help learn a new hobby.Thank you!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@linhmoberly4493]

Just starting to watch ur channel. So encouraging and inspirational. Thanks for all the wonderful tips for a beginner!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!