It’s easy to get carried away with visions of a bountiful garden and buy way too many seeds or plant starts. Starting small as you get to know your growing conditions — perhaps with one raised bed or a handful of pots — will save you money and heartbreak. 

“Some beginner-friendly things to try are tender leafy greens like lettuce or arugula that are very forgiving,” “Also, peas are a great choice — you can put up a trellis support, or you can seed heavily and eat the pea shoots. They’re delicious. Even in a container you can build your self-confidence and success in gardening.”

Also, think about your motivation: Are you gardening as a hobby with some edible benefits, or with the aim of making a winter’s worth of tomato sauce?  

How much food are you hoping to get from your garden? Some are doing it as an activity with their children, some are doing it as a mindfulness hobby, and some are supplementing what they’re buying from the store.