What is an easy way to start gardening?

Ktwman: What is an easy way to start gardening?
I will return home at the end of July and would like to start some sort of gardening project in August. But I have never done any kind of gardening/landscaping. I have no idea what kind to buy and plant. I am completely clueless.

We live in Kansas were we experience all 4 seasons. It gets quite windy in our area. The front of the house is facing the south.

Answers and Views:

Answer by Joanne A.
(August is not a good time of year to start gardening in the USA except for states such as south Florida)

You are gonna love gardening, don’t try to do it all in one year. Get to know where the sun shines the most, and where the shaded areas are. Because you will need flowers for the sun areas, and flowers for the shaded areas.

Since you are a beginner, this year start your garden with plants that you get from a garden center or nursery. They are called bedding plants and come in a six pack. Look for a little tag sticking in the six pact showing directions on how to grow the plants. If the tag is not there, ask for one or buy something else. Directions are VERY important.

Seeds are not always easy to grow. And wildflowers are the hardest so don’t be disappointed if they don’t show up.

Two good things to do for yourself is to call your local County Extension Service and ask for all the information that they have about gardening in your area. They usually have a packet/kit of things for the home gardener.

And number two would be to pick up a couple of beginner books. You really do need to know about soil, compost, mulch and etc.

To keep from over watering or not watering enough, buy a water analyzer from a nursery or garden center. Be sure to read the directions. This will be one of your best tools.

Send for some free gardening catalogs and get use to the different types of plants, colors, and when to plant. They are filled with good informtion and pictures. And they will keep you company during the long winter months. Here is a list of just a very few. There are hundreds more:

https://www.waysidegardens.com
https://www.dutchbulbs.com
https://www.jacksonandperkins.com/ (Roses)
https://www.oakesdaylilies.com (Daylilies)
https://www.caladiumworld.com (Caladiums)
https://parkseed.com/default.aspx

Other catalogs:
https://www.leevalley.com
https://www.gardeners.com
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Container/pots/window boxes needs:

All need holes in the bottem for water drainage,
Potting soil that comes in bags,
Slow release fertilizer for flowers (not for green plants), OR liquid fertilizer that will need to be used more often-read directions,
Water crystals to be mixed into the soil for holding water,
Bedding plants or full grown plants.

Here is an excellent link to check out for color combinations and plants that look good together:

Answer by Herbarium Landscape Design
The easiest way to garden that I know of is Square Foot Gardening. You can learn more about it at or by reading All-New Square Foot Gardening which is available at almost any bookstore. At the above website you can also find someone in your area to teach you more about it if want.
You can start gardening in August. Some plants prefer cooler weather and you can get a fall crop to harvest. Spinach, lettuce, and possibly peas should produce in time. Also, you will have a head start on next year.
If you want to plant perennials, shrubs, or trees in your yard late summer/early fall is a good time. Sometimes it is more difficult to find the plants that time of year but if you can find them it is a great time to plant.

Answer by Jonathan
i would suggest horticulture.. i think it is easy to start a garden.. hope this helps