How to Start Your First Garden

Learn how to plant, water, and grow your own vegetables and flowers in this simple step-by-step guide. HowTo: Family Edition: family how-tos that actually help.

1. Pick your spot. Find a place that gets plenty of sunshine. Ask a grown-up to help you check if your chosen spot gets at least six hours of sun each day.
2. Prepare your soil. If you are using a pot, fill it three-quarters of the way with potting soil. If you are planting in the ground, use your trowel to loosen the dirt so it is soft and easy for roots to grow through.
3. Plant your seeds. Check the back of your seed packet to see how deep to plant them. Use your finger to poke a small hole, drop the seed in, and cover it gently with soil.
4. Give them a drink. Use your watering can to gently sprinkle water over the soil. The soil should feel like a damp sponge, not a muddy puddle.