How to Start a Family Garden: Gardening Basics for Beginners and Tips

Ready to grow your own food? Learn how to start a family garden with this beginner’s guide. Simple steps, easy plants, and fun tips for gardening with kids!

Continue to the end for a free checklist to begin your garden!

Want to take a deep dive into homesteading and have it all in one place? Go here

Why Start a Family Garden?

Starting a family garden is a fun, educational, and rewarding way to spend time outdoors while growing your own food. It teaches kids responsibility, encourages healthy eating, and brings families closer to nature. Plus, it’s easier than you think to get started—even for total beginners!

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Start a Garden for Your Family

1. Start Small and Keep It Simple

If you’re new to gardening, begin with a small space. Raised beds, containers, or a small sunny patch in your yard work great.

Beginner gardening tip: Start with just 3–5 plants to avoid getting overwhelmed.

Going organic? Go here

2. Choose the Best Garden Location

Your garden needs at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Choose a spot that’s easy to reach and close to a water source.

3. Select Easy Plants to Grow for Beginners

Pick low-maintenance, fast-growing vegetables and herbs that are kid-friendly and fun to harvest.

Easy plants for beginner gardeners:

• Cherry tomatoes (extra tips here for all tomatoes)

• Zucchini

• Green beans

• Lettuce or spinach

• Carrots

• Radishes

• Strawberries

• Basil, mint, parsley

4. Seeds vs. Starter Plants: What’s Best?

Seeds: More budget-friendly and fun for kids to plant (some may need to be started indoors before planting)

Starter plants (starts): Easier for beginners and give you a head start.

Going organic? Go here

5. Prepare the Soil for Planting

Healthy soil is the foundation of a successful garden. Mix in organic compost or buy quality potting soil for containers or raised beds. Make sure you have tools on hand like gloves and shovels. My favorite shovel is this one and the one I only use in my garden.

6. Water Regularly and Consistently

Most plants need about 1 inch of water per week. Water early in the morning or late in the day to avoid evaporation. Let kids take turns as the official “garden waterers!”

7. Get the Whole Family Involved

Gardening is a fantastic family activity. Give each person a role, whether it’s watering, weeding, or checking plant progress. Keep a garden journal or chart to track growth and harvests.

8. Harvest and Celebrate Your Homegrown Food

Celebrate every success—no matter how small. Cook meals with your harvest, take pictures, or share extra produce with neighbors.

Bonus Tips for Family Gardening Success

• Use labeled plant markers so kids can identify what they planted

• Use a good shovel for ease of planting

• Add mulch to reduce weeds and keep soil moist

• Start a compost bin to recycle kitchen scraps and enrich your soil

• Make it fun with garden games or themed plant rows (like a “pizza garden” with basil, tomatoes, and oregano)

• If you're interested in starting a medicinal garden go here

Final Thoughts on Starting a Family Garden

Starting a family garden is one of the most fulfilling ways to grow healthy food, connect with nature, and spend meaningful time together. Even if you’ve never planted a thing before, you can do this—one seed (and one smile) at a time.

Need help picking plants for your climate or building raised beds? Drop your questions in the comments!

Want to take a deep dive into homesteading and have it all in one place? Go here

Printable PDF version here