The Beginner’s Guide to Starting a Garden from Scratch

Where do you even start if your dream is to turn that blank slate into a gorgeous garden? You’ve just moved into a new house. The keys are in your hands, you’re staring at your front door and also at a lot of lawn and maybe some unappealing landscaping. Good thing, plant friends, that I got to dive into this question with ecologist, writer, and new author Becky Searle (@sow_much_more), who just wrote Grow a New Garden! The book is all about how garden design can work with instead of against nature, so you can create the most low-maintenance, balanced garden possible. Let's get started!

In this episode, we learn:

• [02:49] How Becky’s background in ecology shaped her gardening style
• [03:45] Writing Grow a New Garden during lockdown
• [06:03] Becky's different homes and the changes to her garden
• [07:37] What’s the one rose that follows Becky to every home?
• [09:16] Propagating roses: soil vs. water cuttings
• [11:23] Native vs. diverse plantings: what really helps pollinators prosper?
• [12:47] Why is biodiversity important?
• [14:28] How I let nature lead instead of controlling it
• [15:24] Give your plants the best with Espoma Organic's chemical-free soils, fertilizers, and plant foods!
• [16:36] Move from overwhelm to action with the Square Foot Gardening Planner!
• [18:05] Why you shouldn’t design a garden like an interior space
• [19:09] How to survive the pest invasion phase?
• [20:46] What steps should you take to get your garden functioning as an ecosystem?
• [24:18] How to track light and shade before you plant
• [25:41] The LEGO hack to visualize sunlight throughout the year
• [27:25] What to build first? (sheds, ponds, greenhouses, and compost areas)
• [28:37] Why potted plants help you “test-drive” your design
• [29:39] How to choose the right plants for your soil, light, and climate
• [31:28] What are plant communities?
• [32:55] Becky’s favorite combo: rudbeckia, grasses, and alchemilla mollis
• [34:37] Common beginner mistakes in garden design
• [38:38] Where should you look for inspiration to design your garden? (beyond Pinterest)
• [40:46] Why talking to local gardeners beats Googling every question
• [42:16] Becky’s advice for first-time homeowners starting their first garden!
• [43:19] Where can you find Becky and her book Grow a New Garden?

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Grow a New Garden by Becky Searle

For beginner gardening tips from gardening expert Becky Searle,

check out the show notes and full blog here!

Follow Becky:

Website
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Espoma Organic

Visit espoma.com to find your local Espoma dealer or check my Amazon storefront.

Quarto: The Square Foot Gardening Planner

Pre-order The Square Foot Gardening Planner (coming October 21, 2025) at quarto.com or find it wherever you buy gardening books — and start transforming your blank space into a flourishing garden.

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