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If you never thought that your thumb was green enough and that gardening was for hobbits, hopefully, some of the examples here will make you reconsider. With some work, research, and lots of patience, anyone can ensure that at least a handful of plants survive. 

The ‘Gardening’ online group gathers horticultural enthusiasts worldwide to share advice and pictures of their creations. We also contacted gardening expert and home farmer Charles Dowding to learn more about what a beginner should keep in mind. So scroll down, upvote your favorites, and be sure to comment your own gardening successes or horror stories.

More info: Reddit

#1

This Is A Children's Faerie Garden I Planted A Few Years Ago. It Lives On A 5 Foot Boulder, Has A Variety Of Evergreen And Deciduous Trees And Ground Covers, Mosses And Succulents. It's A Miniature Living Ecosystem That Goes Dormant In Winter And Is Home To Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Beetles And Fae

This Is A Children's Faerie Garden I Planted A Few Years Ago. It Lives On A 5 Foot Boulder, Has A Variety Of Evergreen And Deciduous Trees And Ground Covers, Mosses And Succulents. It's A Miniature Living Ecosystem That Goes Dormant In Winter And Is Home To Bees, Birds, Butterflies, Beetles And Fae

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#2

Harvested My Sons Pumpkin, From The Plant He Brought Home In A Paper Cup From Pre-K; It Was The Only Pumpkin On The Plant But It Was Huge (Sunset Pic Strictly For Up Votes Lol)

Harvested My Sons Pumpkin, From The Plant He Brought Home In A Paper Cup From Pre-K; It Was The Only Pumpkin On The Plant But It Was Huge (Sunset Pic Strictly For Up Votes Lol)

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Isabelle Lamarque
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The sunset worked for me, take my upvote 😄 It so beautiful how it makes the pumpkin stand out even more 😍

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#3

From My First Garden Without My Parents Help. Btw I'm 14

From My First Garden Without My Parents Help. Btw I'm 14

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We asked Charles Dowding what he would recommend to a first-time gardener who was nervous to begin. “Start small, say one bed of 1.2 x 2.4m. Adopt the no-dig approach: It's simple and easy, based on two things. One, the soil is undisturbed, allowing its organisms to work and multiply. You build on top of the existing network of life. And also it’s fine to dig a hole to plant a tree, or when harvesting potatoes!”

“Two, feed soil inhabitants with organic matter on the surface, from where they take it down. This aerates the soil and sets up a larder of nutrients for plant roots.” Charles is an advocate for leaving the soil ecosystem intact when gardening, as it’s more sustainable and can save you a lot of work. Let’s face it, digging is not a particularly fun activity unless you happen to be a mole. 

#4

I Know This Sub Would Appreciate This Beauty!

I Know This Sub Would Appreciate This Beauty!

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#5

Should Have Let My Dogs Handle The Fall Planting!

Should Have Let My Dogs Handle The Fall Planting!

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We also wanted to know what misconceptions Charles has run into when educating and training other gardeners. “It's easier than often claimed. You don't need to dig, you don't need to practice a rotation, you don't need to feed or fertilize your plants unless in containers, you can walk on your beds if you need to, and you have plenty of scope to be creative.” He recommends using free, online resources like YouTube to learn more. 

#7

My DIY Potting Shed Made Mostly From Free Doors

My DIY Potting Shed Made Mostly From Free Doors

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#8

My Younger Sibling (13) Made A Rainbow Garden. They Are Very Proud Of It And Wanted Me To Post It

My Younger Sibling (13) Made A Rainbow Garden. They Are Very Proud Of It And Wanted Me To Post It

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#9

My 91yo Grandmother’s Tomato Harvest This Year

My 91yo Grandmother’s Tomato Harvest This Year

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“When starting out, weeds can be tamed easily with surface covers such as cardboard in particular. Soil that is firm is not compacted, and plants like rooting into firm soil. You can plant into straight compost, Plants then root down into the soil below,” he added, giving some more specific examples of how a novice gardener could start and what not to be afraid of. In general, fear of gardening is a bit irrational, it's not like the dead plants will take revenge.

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#10

My Son's Memorial Garden. Gardening Helps Me So Much Mentally To Get Through Some Really Rough Moments. October Is Both My Son's Birth Month And Death. This October He Will Be Gone 2 Years. He Would Be 19 This Year. How Does Gardening Help You?

My Son's Memorial Garden. Gardening Helps Me So Much Mentally To Get Through Some Really Rough Moments. October Is Both My Son's Birth Month And Death. This October He Will Be Gone 2 Years. He Would Be 19 This Year. How Does Gardening Help You?

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BeepBoop the Single Pringle
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

these types of posts remind me that love is real, and people care about me and other people, even when the people around me are terrible.

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Lastly, we wanted him to expand upon what resources a beginner could use to develop their skills. Firstly, he recommended his book, as well as guides he put together to help keep track of planting times and other seasonal effects. Note that much of the information is geared toward the UK. Lastly, he encouraged an attitude of curiosity and to be constantly asking questions. “How do plants grow? (new research into rhizophagy shows the importance of bacteria). How much watering is necessary? (often less). What is the best spacing? (depends partly on what you want from the plants).”

#13

My Neighbors 4.1lb Giant Bull Heart Tomato He Grew! He Was Very Proud And Wanted To Share With Everyone

My Neighbors 4.1lb Giant Bull Heart Tomato He Grew! He Was Very Proud And Wanted To Share With Everyone

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Katy McMouse
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't like tomatoes, but those tomatoes are gorgeous. The color is just lovely (and the grandpa looks too sweet)!

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#14

Grew This Beautiful Giant From A Seed. Absolutely Thrilled. This Is By Far My Pride And Joy

Grew This Beautiful Giant From A Seed. Absolutely Thrilled. This Is By Far My Pride And Joy

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Tamra
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I grew a sunflower that tall once. It's stem was so thick and woody, I had to chop it down with a hatchet at the end of the season!

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As previously mentioned, no dig could be a great way to start gardening if you happen to be in an area that is relatively fertile. While it has numerous environmental benefits, the main advantage for the novice gardener is that it does not require nearly as much physical work. Who wants to pull a muscle digging holes all day just to see a crop die? Perhaps that sounds pessimistic, but like cooking or pottery, you need to accept that the first few attempts might not work out. If you're feeling inspired, feel free to check out our other gardening article here.

#17

Guess My Trowel Is Out Of Commission For A Couple Weeks

Guess My Trowel Is Out Of Commission For A Couple Weeks

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#18

Just My Lemon Tree And A Dangly Hazel Cat

Just My Lemon Tree And A Dangly Hazel Cat

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HelluvaHedgehogAlien
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This needs more upvotes! Although keep the lemon tree away from the cat because it might be dangerous for it

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We also reached out to Katrina Harrison from ‘Homegrown Garden’ to find out a bit more regarding advice for beginner gardeners. "Grow what you want to grow, now what you think you should grow. I remember when I grew loads of kale one year because it was the winter plant that stood up to all the weather, not realizing at the time that I hated the stuff! Embrace the failures as part of the learning process and always start small. You’ll have more success if you focus your learning on growing just a few crops rather than trying to do everything in your first year."

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#19

My Wife Let Me Keep The Seed Starting Area In The Living Room, But Only On The Condition That She Can Turn The Grow Light Into A Cloud. I Think It Turned Out Pretty Sweet

My Wife Let Me Keep The Seed Starting Area In The Living Room, But Only On The Condition That She Can Turn The Grow Light Into A Cloud. I Think It Turned Out Pretty Sweet

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#20

This Building In Italy Could Be This Sub Church

This Building In Italy Could Be This Sub Church

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Nonesuch
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12 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like some lively competition is going on. (I take it these are apt balconies).

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#21

I’m In Love With This Hoya Flower

I’m In Love With This Hoya Flower

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Helpfully, she also gave some examples of common misconceptions people tend to have. "Gardening can be done on a balcony, a single pot outside your front door, or on a window ledge. These small spaces are often those that desperately need greening up and it benefits those around you and the wildlife too. Also, I think a lot of people believe that to grow anything successfully you need to have a south-facing, sunny garden when in fact some of my favorite ornamental plants thrive in shady conditions. Ornamental plants such as hellebores, ferns, and even edible crops like lettuce, spinach, and beetroot don’t mind shade and won’t be quick to go to seed in the summer heat."

#22

My Rainbow Carrot Harvest, From My Tiny Backyard Garden

My Rainbow Carrot Harvest, From My Tiny Backyard Garden

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#23

Possibly My Last Bouquet Before The Frost

Possibly My Last Bouquet Before The Frost

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#24

I Was Wondering Why My Kale Was Missing Leaves At The Base

I Was Wondering Why My Kale Was Missing Leaves At The Base

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Sue Wade-Walters
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

However tall that enterprising bunny can make itself, that's how bare your kale will be!

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#25

The Swirl On One Of My Opening Calla Lilies

The Swirl On One Of My Opening Calla Lilies

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#27

Little Friend Taking Cover In Clematis

Little Friend Taking Cover In Clematis

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Mari Balot
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The flower was so majestic, I almost didn't see the little rabbit there xD

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#29

I Can Completely Confirm That Potatoes Are Alien

I Can Completely Confirm That Potatoes Are Alien

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#30

My Mom Makes Cake Gardens

My Mom Makes Cake Gardens

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#31

This Year's Apple Harvest! It's A Small Tree, But She Does Her Best!

This Year's Apple Harvest! It's A Small Tree, But She Does Her Best!

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Tamra
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those are gorgeous apples! Now I want a crisp apple and a slice of sharp cheddar cheese.

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#32

Be Careful Out There!

Be Careful Out There!

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Max Fox
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Put that knife down, slowly, and back away. Nobody needs to get hurt.

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#33

My Wife's Haul From Her Garden This Morning

My Wife's Haul From Her Garden This Morning

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#34

This Is How I'm Doing It In A Semi Desert Region

This Is How I'm Doing It In A Semi Desert Region

It's a small mixed garden of amaranthius dubius and salanum aenthiopcum. Good vegetables.

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Rapunzel With The Loced Hair
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Zambia, "amaranthius dubius" is called Bondwe, it's quite tasty when cooked with oil, tomato and onion, most people from the Bemba tribe that I know combine it with any other vegetable they can think of.

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#35

My Patio Garden After Washing The Deck

My Patio Garden After Washing The Deck

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Liam Walsh
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've poor balance... I'd definitely slip on the decking and end up stabbed on those beautiful cacti

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#38

Giant Sempervivum. Biggest I Ever Grew, With All Its Chicks Flowering At The Same Time

Giant Sempervivum. Biggest I Ever Grew, With All Its Chicks Flowering At The Same Time

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#40

My 99cent Grape Vine From Lowes Just Gave Us 55lbs Of Grapes

My 99cent Grape Vine From Lowes Just Gave Us 55lbs Of Grapes

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#41

Making Garden Markers With My Daughter

Making Garden Markers With My Daughter

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#42

My Azalea Has Blossomed. This Is My First Ever Plant

My Azalea Has Blossomed. This Is My First Ever Plant

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#43

My Oaxacan Green Corn Looks Almost Iridescent

My Oaxacan Green Corn Looks Almost Iridescent

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#45

I Can't Get Cyclamen To Grow In My Yard. This One Thrives In The Concrete Behind The Dumpsters At Work

I Can't Get Cyclamen To Grow In My Yard. This One Thrives In The Concrete Behind The Dumpsters At Work

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Kirsten Kerkhof
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Indoor plant: "Too much water! Too little water! Too much sun! Too little sun! PH is off by .02%! I am martyred and must die!" Outdoor plant: "Ah, a crack in the concrete. Perfect, I will THRIVE!!"

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#46

Sweet Potato Harvest

Sweet Potato Harvest

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#47

Neglected Hydrangea Bush Growing Under A Walnut Tree, Tasmania, Australia

Neglected Hydrangea Bush Growing Under A Walnut Tree, Tasmania, Australia

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#48

A Friend Shared This With Me, Any Tips And Tricks You Have That Worked?

A Friend Shared This With Me, Any Tips And Tricks You Have That Worked?

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#49

Look At The Garden Cart My Husband Designed/Built For Me For Christmas!

Look At The Garden Cart My Husband Designed/Built For Me For Christmas!

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#50

Left Carrots In The Ground, Zone 6b. Just Pulled This One For Dinner!

Left Carrots In The Ground, Zone 6b. Just Pulled This One For Dinner!

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Note: this post originally had 106 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.