Best gardening books for beginners (2024)

More than just a hobby, gardening allows you to reap tangible rewards, too. You can grow various herbs, vegetables, and fruits from your own plot or allotment. These home-grown products not only taste better, but they also offer a healthier, pesticide-free alternative to store-bought produce too. From container gardening to expansive plots, there are many ways to start gardening. If you live somewhere a little more urban, there are also books that offer balcony garden ideas that could help you transform even the smallest spaces into a lush oasis teeming with life.

Best gardening books for beginners at a glance:

• Best overall: RHS - How To Garden When You're New To Gardening - view on Amazon
• Best gardening book for smaller spaces: Small Garden: Design your garden with this gardening book for beginners - view on Amazon
• Best beginner's book for container gardening: Container Gardening for Beginners: - view on Amazon

Although stepping into the world of gardening can feel intimidating- and while there is so much knowledge to grasp and techniques to master, books can be a wonderful tool to start you on your way. Whether you're planning to cultivate the best herb garden or perhaps you are looking to design a beautiful section of bedding plants, a comprehensive gardening guide can solve your horticultural needs.

For those eager to plunge their hands into the soil, here are our favourite gardening books for beginners. These resources provide the necessary tools to transform even the most inexperienced enthusiast into a confident gardener. It’s the perfect way to start your journey, cultivating your outdoor space into a thriving haven teeming with life. So without further ado, here are our top picks.

Best gardening book for beginners

What makes a gardening book suitable for beginners?

A beginner's gardening book should explain the basics of gardening in a simple, easy-to-understand format. It should cover foundational topics like understanding soil, choosing plants suitable for your climate and space, watering, pruning, and dealing with pests as well as clear imagery so you have a guide on what to expect.

How to start gardening?

The best way to start a garden is to decide what type of garden you want (vegetables, flowers, herbs) and then research the specific needs of those plants. Consider your climate and the sunlight exposure in your garden. It would be good to start off with easy-to-grow plants like tomatoes, lettuce, or daffodils - to get you into growing.

This really depends on the type of plants you have, the climate, and the season. Generally, a good rule of thumb is to water your garden when the top inch of soil is dry. Most plants prefer deep, infrequent watering to shallow, frequent watering because it encourages better root growth.

What are the best bedding plants for beginners?

Some of the best bedding plants for beginners include marigolds, petunias, pansies, and begonias. These plants are easy to grow, require minimal maintenance, and offer vibrant colours that can liven up your garden

Ellen Kinsey is a senior health and wellness product writer for Yours, specialising in natural health and beauty. She lives and breathes all things food, travel and wellness.