Beginner Landscaping Tips | Nature Hills

We almost named this blog post “How Not to Kill Your First Landscape”, but at Nature Hills, we like to focus on the positive. Whether you are getting started with Houseplants, live in a cute little condo, or rent/own your first house; caring for plants makes life better.

Growing a successful garden is a rewarding experience. However, it can be tough to know where to start, especially if it’s your first time.

Our 10 helpful tips for developing a successful landscape design will set you up for long-term success. You got this!

1. Know Your Space

It might sound strange, but the first thing you need to do ISN'T choose plants. Instead, the first step is to get to know your physical space.

All plants have special requirements for light, air, and water. Take a look and get familiar with your own unique climate. If you aren’t sure, ask yourself the following questions:

Which direction does your yard face? (north, south, east, west)
How much sun does your yard receive and when?
Is your yard on a slope?
Does water run through your yard fairly quickly, or are there areas where puddles develop?
What is your garden’s current state? Is it full of weeds, a lush grassy lawn, or a total clean slate of dirt and gravel?
Do pets or children have access to your yard?
Are there any garden hazards, like neighborhood deer, or a tree that drops branches?
Lastly, in which USDA zone is your garden located? (Not sure? Look at any product page and enter your zip code into our Zone Finder above the Plant Highlights.)

2. Stay In Your Comfort Zone

We all enjoy staring starry-eyed at the beautiful gardens on Instagram and in magazines, but there is no need to go all-out right away. In fact, your new garden landscape will be easier and more fun to maintain if you start smaller and build up over time.

Doing too much too soon can cause burnout and frustration. Take the time to map out your setting. Use paper or look for a garden design app.

Take time to think about your garden goals. What kind of space do you want to create? An outdoor Yoga Room, or Meditation Garden? You can create a Victory Garden, a Time-Capsule Garden, Flower Gardens, Zen Gardens, modern, industrial-chic, you name it.

Edible Gardens are a gigantic design trend. Nature Hills has a huge inventory of fruiting plants to help you grow your own food in your yard or balcony.

Build out your own personal paradise in stages for the best results. Get a taste of success with a big container garden or two. Add some shrubs behind it, then place a perfect focal point tree or two to satisfy your soul.

3. Think Long-Term

A garden bed full of annuals (those flowers that only live for one season) is beautiful, but it’s only temporary. Truly sustainable beauty in a garden requires long-lived perennials, shrubs and trees that reward you with beautiful foliage and flowers for years, and even generations.

Trees and shrubs are easier to maintain in the long run and boast other great benefits, too. They’ll boost your home’s value and can even lower your utility bill by casting helpful shade.

4. Choose Plants Wisely

Not all plants will be suited to your new landscape. For best results (and a lot less work) choosing your garden plants based on how well they grow in your area will make all the difference.

Pro tip? Look for hardy, low maintenance plants that work in your growing zone and sun conditions.

Have a bunch of shade in your space? Use shade-tolerant plants.

5. Prepare Your Garden Soil

Put on your “Science Kid” hat and get your hands dirty. Or, invest in some pretty, funky gardening gloves to protect your manicure.

Healthy soil is the foundation of a beautiful garden. Plants live in dirt. Their roots push through the dirt to establish themselves and gather nutrients from the rainwater and the soil.

One of the biggest goals of landscaping is to improve the health and quality of your soil over time. Compost, mulch and other dirt “goodies” will do the trick for you.

We love “Lasagna Gardening”. In fall, use layers of trimmed cardboard (hello Amazon boxes, we’re looking at you…) to shape a new garden bed. Then add layers of shredded leaves and grass clippings, layering dry, brown material between fresh, green material. Top the whole thing off with a nice, thick layer of mulch and let it sit over winter.

Be prepared to be ecstatic next spring when you see the results of your work. You might need to use your shovel to cut through the lowest cardboard layer before you plant, but your new Lasagna bed should be well on its way to becoming actual, incredible soil!

Nature is so amazing!

Be sure to buy a bag of our Root Booster for each plant you install. Pat the whole thing all around the roots of your new plants before you plant. The magic ingredients will help your plants root systems grow in nice, strong and better able to absorb nutrients and moisture from your soil.

6. Mulch, Mulch, Mulch

We love mulch! It breaks down over time to improve your soil. It also looks great and keeps your plants foliage clean.

Mulch, done right, is the secret to success for many beautiful gardens. Add a thick, 3-inch layer over the entire root zone of your plant. For trees, spread it out 3 feet past the leafy canopy.

Just be sure to pull mulch away from the trunks and stems of your plants. Give it a good 6 inches of space. These important “plant parts” need good air circulation to perform beautifully for you.

Mulch protects against moisture loss, so plants dry out more slowly
Mulch keeps the soil at a more even temperature, protecting against extreme hot and cold temperatures
Mulch helps suppress weeds
Mulch looks good! With so many options to choose from, you can find a quality mulch that will fit your garden’s color scheme.
You can even use rocks and colored glass as mulch! Get creative to make a very personal statement.

7. Plant Carefully

Here are some tips to make planting time a little easier. We have videos on planting, too.

Follow our planting guide on your confirmation email for every plant you choose.
Don’t plant too deeply! Roots go in the ground, and the trunk and leaves go up in the air.
Water your newly planted perennial or tree very well. Dried-out roots after planting is a common reason for failure.
Don’t go overboard with water. See the next section for more info.

8. Water Just Enough

One of the most common reasons for garden failure is improper watering. For the first season after planting, and throughout any dry spells, your plants will need deep watering each week in order to remain healthy.

Be sure to read the Plant Highlights to understand the water requirements for your new plants.

The trick is to water them properly: not too much, not too little. In general, you should allow plants to dry out slightly, then give them a deep soaking.

Use the “finger test”. Actually poke your finger into the ground by your plant. Is it still a little moist? Skip watering that day.

Baby your plants the first season. If the Plant Highlights says that the plant needs Moderate water, provide an even amount of water on a regular basis all through each growing season.

Oh, and prep your plants for winter with a nice, long drink in late fall. This is really important, especially for evergreen plants with foliage that stays on all year-long.

9. Ask For Help

Did you know there are local garden experts near you who are ready to provide advice? Available at your local county extension office, these volunteer Master Gardeners are specialists in your local garden climate.

They are familiar with everything from local plant species to common pests. Many county extension offices also host educational events throughout the year.

It is a great way to gain some local garden expertise. Contact your local county extension office for more info.

10. Anticipate A Little Failure

It stinks, but every great gardener has lost some of their beloved plants, without exception. It’s simply a part of working with nature.

There are so many reasons why a new shrub or favorite perennial might die, from pests to bad weather, or even just bad luck. The trick is to learn from the experience and take the plant loss in stride.

Experienced plants people actually look at plant death as an opportunity to just buy another new plant! There are just so many gorgeous trees, shrubs, perennials, roses, grasses and vines to choose from, after all.

The art of gardening is all about the journey, not the destination. Enjoy the process, get your hands dirty, and before you know it, you will be nurturing an Instagram-worthy landscape all your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I create a simple landscaping plan as a first-time homeowner?

Start by getting to know your space before choosing a single plant: note which direction your yard faces, how many hours of direct sun it receives, and whether water pools or drains quickly after rain. Look up your USDA hardiness zone using our Zone Finder on any product page to make sure every plant you choose is suited to your local climate. Rather than tackling the entire yard at once, begin with one or two large container gardens to build confidence, then layer in shrubs and additional plantings over time. Map your plan on paper or in a garden design app, set a clear goal for the type of space you want, and shop plants that match your specific light, water, and zone requirements before heading to checkout.

What do beginner gardeners most commonly get wrong when starting a new landscape?

One of the most common mistakes beginner gardeners make is skipping the planning phase and jumping straight to buying plants before understanding their space. Without knowing your USDA hardiness zone, sun exposure, drainage patterns, and soil conditions, you risk choosing plants that simply will not survive in your specific environment. Another frequent pitfall is taking on too much too soon, which leads to burnout and neglected plants. Start with one or two large containers to build confidence, learn your yard's unique conditions first, and expand your landscape in stages as your knowledge grows.

How much mulch do I need, and how often should I reapply it?

For most garden beds, apply mulch 2 to 3 inches deep, keeping it pulled back an inch or two from plant stems and tree trunks to prevent rot. A single cubic yard of mulch covers roughly 100 square feet at a 3-inch depth, so measure your bed area before purchasing to avoid running short. Plan to reapply once a year, typically in spring after the soil warms, though gardeners in colder zones may want a second light application in fall to protect roots through winter. Check your mulch depth each season and top it off whenever it compresses below 2 inches.

How often should I water my plants, and how can I tell when they actually need water?

Watering frequency depends on your climate zone, soil type, and the specific plants you're growing, but a general rule is to water deeply and infrequently rather than a little every day, encouraging roots to grow deeper into the soil. For most garden plants, aim for about one inch of water per week from rain or irrigation combined. The best way to check if plants need water is to stick your finger two inches into the soil near the root zone, and if it feels dry at that depth, it's time to water. Always water at the base of the plant in the early morning to reduce evaporation and minimize the risk of disease.

What are the easiest plants for beginner gardeners to grow successfully?

For beginner gardeners, the best starting point is choosing plants that are well-matched to your specific USDA hardiness zone and yard conditions, since a plant thriving in the right environment requires far less intervention than one fighting its surroundings. Hardy shrubs, ornamental grasses, and native perennials tend to be forgiving choices because they are adapted to local climates and typically require minimal watering once established, usually after the first full growing season. Container gardens with herbs like basil, mint, or rosemary are also excellent confidence-builders for new gardeners with limited space. Use our Zone Finder at naturehills.com by entering your zip code on any product page to identify plants proven to succeed in your specific region before you buy.

How do I figure out how much sun my yard or garden beds actually get?

Tracking sun exposure is simpler than it sounds: walk your yard at morning, midday, and late afternoon and note which areas are in full sun, part shade, or full shade. Full sun means 6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day, part sun or part shade is 3 to 6 hours, and full shade receives fewer than 3 hours. The direction your yard faces matters too, as south-facing beds typically get the most sun while north-facing spots stay shadier throughout the day. Do this observation on a clear day and jot down your notes, since knowing your light conditions is the foundation for choosing plants that will actually thrive in your space.

What kind of soil should I use, and how do I improve poor or compacted soil?

The best soil for most plants is loose, well-draining loam rich in organic matter, with a pH generally between 6.0 and 7.0. If your soil is compacted or clay-heavy, work in 2 to 3 inches of compost or aged manure to a depth of 12 inches to improve drainage and aeration. Sandy soil that drains too quickly benefits from the same compost treatment, which helps retain moisture and nutrients. Before planting, test your soil with an inexpensive kit from a garden center and amend accordingly for the best long-term results.

Should I use raised beds, containers, or plant directly in the ground as a beginner?

As a beginner, starting with containers or raised beds is the smartest move because they give you greater control over soil quality, drainage, and sun exposure, which makes success far more likely in your first season. Containers are especially forgiving since you can move them to optimize light and protect plants from frost in colder zones. Raised beds are a great middle step before committing to in-ground planting, as they warm up faster in spring and drain more reliably than native soil. Start with one or two large containers (at least 12 to 16 inches deep), get comfortable with watering and feeding routines, then gradually expand into raised beds or in-ground planting as your confidence grows.

Do containers and planters need drainage holes, and how much do they matter?

Drainage holes are absolutely essential for container gardening success, as without them water accumulates at the bottom and creates waterlogged conditions that suffocate roots and cause rot within days. Even plants that love moisture will decline quickly in a pot with no escape route for excess water. If you fall in love with a decorative pot that lacks drainage, simply use it as a cachepot by placing a properly drilled nursery container inside it. Always check for drainage before planting, and if needed, use a masonry or carbide-tipped drill bit to add at least one hole per every 6 inches of pot diameter.

When should I start seeds indoors versus planting them directly outside?

Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last expected frost date, which varies depending on your USDA hardiness zone. Cool-season crops like broccoli and lettuce can be direct sown outdoors earlier in spring, while warm-season plants like tomatoes and peppers need a head start inside. Check your zone's average last frost date using our Zone Finder, then count backwards on a calendar to set your indoor seed starting schedule.

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