7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting Gardening

Introduction

When I first got into gardening, I was buzzing with excitement—and, honestly, completely clueless.

I had this perfect vision of a lush, thriving garden in my head, but reality hit me fast.

I found myself surrounded by struggling plants and all the classic beginner mistakes.

If I could go back and give myself a few tips, here's what I'd say.

Plus, a little insight into why urban farming has completely changed the game for me.

1. Start Small (Trust Me on This One)

It’s so easy to get carried away.

I mean, who doesn’t want ALL the plants right off the bat? But starting small—like with some basil, mint, or tough little succulents—lets you figure things out without getting overwhelmed.

I learned this the hard way after trying to take on too much.

If you’re tight on space, urban farming is honestly perfect.

My city garden began with just a few herb pots, and now it’s this tiny jungle that I’m so proud of.

2. Soil Really, Really Matters

Oh, the plants I could’ve saved if I had just known about soil earlier.

I used to think dirt was dirt.

Nope! The difference that good, nutrient-rich soil makes is huge.

In urban environments, it’s even more critical.

The ground can be compact or just not ideal for planting, so raised beds and high-quality organic soil in containers became my go-to.

It’s incredible how much happier my plants look—and they’re thriving now in ways I never expected.

Check It Out!

3. Watering: It’s a Balance

Okay, confession time—I used to drown my plants.

Too much water, too little… it was a mess.

Learning to find that sweet spot for each plant was a game-changer.

For my urban garden, installing drip irrigation saved me so much stress (and saved the plants too).

If you're farming in the city, self-watering containers or just sticking to a simple schedule will work wonders.

4. Sunlight is a Dealbreaker

One of the biggest challenges as an urban gardener? Sunlight.

Tall buildings everywhere meant I had to get pretty creative with where to place my plants.

Finding a spot that gets six or more hours of sunlight was tough.

But I made it work—rooftops, windowsills, anything that caught the sun.

And when natural light was too scarce, grow lights became my best friend.

Seriously, if you can’t get enough sunlight, don’t hesitate to use them.

Your plants will love you for it.

5. Small Space? No Problem!

Living in a city, I thought gardening was out of the question.

Turns out, I was totally wrong.

Urban farming is all about getting creative.

Even the tiniest spaces can become mini green oases.

Vertical gardening saved me! Using trellises and hanging pots transformed my little balcony into a full-blown garden.

You’d be surprised how much you can grow in just a few square feet.

6. Pests Are Everywhere—Even in the City

I used to think pests wouldn’t be much of a problem in an urban setting.

Boy, was I wrong! Those little critters can be just as annoying in the city as anywhere else.

It took me some time to get into the habit of regularly checking my plants.

Adding companion plants like marigolds has helped naturally repel some pests without needing chemicals, which has been a total win.

7. Patience, My Friend

This is probably the toughest lesson I’ve learned: plants take time.

There were so many moments when I thought things would never grow, but then—bam!—they did.

Urban farming, especially in containers, can feel slower sometimes, but the end result is worth every minute of waiting.

Stick with it, and you’ll be rewarded.

Patience really does pay off.

Conclusion: Urban Gardening is Totally Worth It

Starting a garden can feel like a lot, especially when you’re in a city.

But every little mistake teaches you something new.

Whether you’ve got a sprawling backyard or just a windowsill, urban farming can bring a ton of joy into your home.

Looking back, I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything.

It’s not just about the plants—it’s about growing something, learning along the way, and finding joy in the process.