Suggestions for a new gardener?

Jynxey

I am going to attempt gardening on my own for the first time. I have helped my grandmother a little in the garden. But never very extensively.

I was wondering if some of you ladies had some suggestions on good plants for a first timer. I live in Hawaii so it's warm and sunny. I am looking for flowers and vegetables.

 Also, I want some indoor plants too, but I have no idea if all plants can be indoor plants, or are there some that specifically do well inside? 

another KT

Your local master gardener extension will have good info for you area.

rubyiu

For veggies, some easy ones for a first timer - tomatoes, peppers, herbs. Lettuce/greens if you don't have too many bunnies!

Jynxey

Thanks!

alliapistor

As a first time gardener, I would also recommend starting with plants and not seeds.  You might even ask your grandmother for cuttings so that you're not spending a lot of money and she can give you info about caring for the plant.

Petunias and marigolds are pretty hard to kill for outdoor sun annuals.  In shade, hosta are pretty hardy.

Indoor - my peace lilly is super easy.  I forgot to water it for about 3 weeks and it looked dead.  Added water and within a day it perked right back up.

Jynxey

alliapistor:

As a first time gardener, I would also recommend starting with plants and not seeds.  You might even ask your grandmother for cuttings so that you're not spending a lot of money and she can give you info about caring for the plant.

Petunias and marigolds are pretty hard to kill for outdoor sun annuals.  In shade, hosta are pretty hardy.

Indoor - my peace lilly is super easy.  I forgot to water it for about 3 weeks and it looked dead.  Added water and within a day it perked right back up.

 

This is all wonderful information! Thank you! I totally would have gone out and bought some seeds! haha 

alliapistor

Marigolds are relatively easy from seed.  But in general there are so many factors that can go wrong with seeds, at least for the first year I would start with plants so that you don't get frustrated and give up before you even get started.

nitaw

alliapistor:

Marigolds are relatively easy from seed.  But in general there are so many factors that can go wrong with seeds, at least for the first year I would start with plants so that you don't get frustrated and give up before you even get started.

Ditto.

Also, just some random advice: You will kill something. It's ok. If the plant doesn't survive, be sure to check and see why it may not have survived - too much sun, too little sun, soil not fantastic, etc. Gardening is all about trial and error, so have patience!

Jynxey

nitaw:

alliapistor:

Marigolds are relatively easy from seed.  But in general there are so many factors that can go wrong with seeds, at least for the first year I would start with plants so that you don't get frustrated and give up before you even get started.

Ditto.

Also, just some random advice: You will kill something. It's ok. If the plant doesn't survive, be sure to check and see why it may not have survived - too much sun, too little sun, soil not fantastic, etc. Gardening is all about trial and error, so have patience!

 

Thanks! Good advice.  

TheRapps

Buy the Square Foot Gardening book.  Honestly, I've been gardening for years and switched over to this method last summer... it's the easiest thing in the world, especially for vegetables, etc.  Follow the book to the tee.  Nothing (NOTHING) died when I did this.  Just make sure your gardens have enough sun (hah, you're in Hawaii, I'm in OHIO... you should have no problems whatsoever).  The beds are really easy to construct, and I only had to weed them like once a month once the plants grew up some... and even then, the weeding was the EASIEST weeding I have ever done.

 Everyone needs to know about Square Foot Gardening.

 http://www.squarefootgardening.com/

 

KTdidit

I have also been following http://www.mysquarefootgarden.net/ 

Nebb

My first garden I used plants, and I enlisted the help of my aunt who is an avid gardener to help me pick out what to put in the garden. 3 years later, Im HOPEFULLY confident enough to plant from seeds, but buying the plant itself is way easier.