This week the Royal Horticultural Society celebrates National Gardening Week.

Running from today, 28 April, to Sunday, 4 May, the aim of the week is to encourage people to garden.

This year’s focus is on new and beginner gardeners, so whether that means learning more about the plants in your outdoor space, creating a new garden from scratch, or starting to grow house plants, it all counts as gardening!

A beginner’s guide to gardening

There are lots of tips for beginners on the RHS website, alongside handy hints for those who have been exercising their green fingers for years.

One of the first things to consider when thinking about establishing a garden, is what will work for your lifestyle and the space you have available.

And remember to consider your budget when planning your outdoor space.

Once your space is ready for plants, seeds are a far cheaper option than buying established plants. Alternatively, check out local plant-swapping fairs and community groups to grab bargains especially in spring and early summer.

Busy bee

If you think you’re too busy with work and family commitments to maintain a garden, think again!

There are lots of things you can do to create a low maintenance outdoor space.

Lawns

  • Consider letting it grow longer in parts to reduce the area you have to mow
  • Stop collecting the cuttings and allow the clippings to drop back onto the grass
  • Perhaps replace your lawn with decking, a patio area or bark

Planting

  • Plant more shrubs and perennials rather than annual bedding plants which need replacing each spring and summer
  • Consider planting evergreens and grasses which look great all year round and require very little maintenance

Weeds

  • Lay weed matting to help stop weeds growing in your flower beds
  • Rewild part of your garden and let the grass and weeds flourish

Tiny is mighty

Whether you have a small courtyard garden, a balcony, or just a window box, you can still garden.

Container planting is an easy way to provide bursts of colour in small spaces. Just remember to water your pots well, especially in dry weather, and feed plants regularly to encourage good growth.

Herbs and small trailing plants are great options for window boxes and hanging baskets. Who doesn’t like fresh mint on their new potatoes, or home-grown peppery basil in a pasta dish?

No garden? No problem!

Honestly, you don’t need a garden to garden. Gardening doesn’t just have to be done outdoors.

Caring for houseplants can bring as much of the joy and mental health benefits as gardening outside.

And as well as bringing the outdoors inside, studies suggest houseplants may help improve air quality, lower blood pressure, and reduce stress.

Why garden?

If you’re new to the gardening scene, you may be asking yourself this question.

There are lots of reasons to garden, not least because of the physical and mental health benefits.

Being physically active for longer is good for us, as is the vitamin D hit from being outside in the natural light (remember your sunscreen and a hat if the sun is out).

People often feel gardening is good for the soul. There is something very grounding about getting your hands dirty in the soil and it is immensely satisfying seeing something you have nurtured, flourish and grow.

And gardening is good for our planet as well as us.

Cut down on food miles by growing your own fruit, vegetables and cut flowers.

Help protect our wildlife with bee and butterfly friendly plants, wildlife gardens, hedgehog houses and bird feeders.

So whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a green finger novice, get out and garden this week!

For more handy gardening hints, read our article on Spring gardening tips.