Start your gardening journey with confidence using AI-powered planning and value calculations
Essential steps for beginner success
6+ hours of sunlight, good drainage, easy access
pH, nutrients, drainage - foundation of success
Use our calculator to optimize plant selection
4x4 or 4x8 feet is perfect for beginners
Welcome to gardening! Starting your first garden can feel overwhelming, but with proper planning and our AI calculator, you'll be growing valuable crops in no time. This guide will walk you through every step of creating a successful, profitable garden.
16-32 sq ft is perfect
Choose beginner-friendly plants
Use our calculator to plan
Most vegetables need 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Observe your potential garden site throughout the day to assess sun exposure.
💡 Pro Tip: Poor soil can be improved with compost, but poor drainage often requires raised beds or containers.
Our calculator analysis shows these crops offer the best combination of ease, value, and success rate for new gardeners. Start with 3-4 varieties to avoid overwhelm.
Fast-growing, hard to kill, continuous harvest
Direct sow, minimal care, good storage
High value, small space, continuous harvest
Easy to grow, nitrogen-fixing, good yields
Require staking, pruning, disease management
Large space needs, pest issues, timing sensitive
Requires large space, wind pollination, pest management
Complex planting, hilling, storage requirements
Master 3-4 easy crops in your first year, then gradually add more challenging plants as you gain experience and confidence.
Estimated Annual Value: $640 | ROI: 320% (with $200 investment)
Harvest Timeline: Radishes (25 days), Lettuce (30 days), Herbs (ongoing), Carrots (60 days), Beans (55 days)
Start with essential items and add tools as needed. Our calculator helps you understand the ROI of different investment levels.
Basic setup, container garden
Expected return: $300-450 (200-300% ROI)
Raised bed, quality tools
Expected return: $600-900 (200-300% ROI)
Irrigation, premium setup
Expected return: $1000-1500 (200-300% ROI)
This timeline assumes a temperate climate. Adjust based on your local conditions and last frost date.
Ready to start planning? Use our AI-powered calculator to create a customized plan for your first garden. Input your space, budget, and preferences to get personalized recommendations and value projections.