Over the past two years, pandemic lockdowns triggered a global gardening boom that shows no signs of slowing down. People all over the world have rediscovered the simple joys of planting a seed in the earth, nurturing it, and watching it slowly blossom into something beautiful or delicious.
There’s nothing more rewarding than sitting down to enjoy a meal prepared with vegetables you’ve grown and cared for yourself. As any gardener will tell you, you can taste the love — and the difference — in every satisfying bite.
The good news is that it’s never too late to introduce the pleasures of gardening to your life. Starting a garden is much easier than you think. If you follow a few basic principles, you’ll be a green thumb in no time.
It always helps to start small. Pick a spot with a minimum of five hours of direct sunlight per day, ideally protected from wildlife, with well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter.
Grow fruits and vegetables that are best suited to your local climate. Try to pick ones that you and your family will actually want to eat when it’s time to harvest. In most parts of the U.K., you can start seeding carrots, cauliflower, and Swiss chard directly in the ground at the end of April. For summer vegetables like sweet corn, beans, and cucumbers, plant around mid-May.
To get the most out of your garden, it always helps to have the right tools and equipment. Just be sure to check out with Amazon Pay, one of the faster and easier ways to shop, so you can spend less time online and more time tending to your new garden.
Choose your plants
Strawberry Full Season Collection | Thompson & Morgan
Grow your own deliciously sweet strawberries at home with this collection of three varieties selected for an extended cropping period, allowing you to get a continual harvest of juicy fruit all season long. You’ll receive an early-season Honeoye, known for its bright red colour and wonderful flavour; the hugely popular orange-red Cambridge Favourite for mid-season; and the prolific late-season Florence for a yield of plump and succulent strawberries from late June to late July. Best of all, you can plant the open-ground A-grade runners in your garden, patio container, or even a window box for convenient snacking.
Get your gear
Gro-Zone Gro-Cloche Max | Two Wests & Elliott
Ideal for raising seedlings and young plants or wintering mature plants in colder months, the Gro-Zone Gro-Cloche Max provides almost 1.67 square meters of protected space for your plants to grow and flourish. The strong tubular steel frame is powder-coated with a weatherproof finish, and the reinforced high-density PE cover features a large, roll-up zip panel for easy access, making it the perfect cloche for gardening all year round.
Pick the planter
47cm Fiberstone Hexagon Planter in Grey | Primrose
Suitable for indoor and outdoor use, this durable handmade fiberstone planter adds a modern touch of artisanal sophistication to any living room or garden. The design provides the strength of cement or stone planters. Iron bars reinforce the pot at traditional weak points to prevent bowing, and a mesh layer keeps the planter sturdy while a membrane prevents any leeching of materials into your chosen growing medium.
Enjoy your garden
Rosedene Garden Bench | eDecks
Constructed from incredibly durable pressure-treated redwood, this contemporary outdoor bench provides the perfect perch from which to admire the fruits of your labour. The sturdy two-seater features a comfortable high-back design and flat, wide armrests that make ideal companions for drinks and snacks.
Brighten up your outdoor space
E27 Black Festoon Belt, Connectable | Festive Lights
Create a wonderland of illumination around your garden with this commercial-grade festoon belt, which allows you to connect and customise a wide range of outdoor bulbs from FestoonPro’s bespoke weatherproof lighting system. The thick rubber cable is available in connectable lengths of 5 and 10 metres, which can all be combined together from one plug for a show-stopping evening display.
Soak up some quality time
Royalcraft 3m Pink Shanghai Cantilever Parasol | Only Oak Furniture
When you spend time cultivating a garden, it comes with its own rewards. Watching your beauties grow throughout the season can be a form of meditation. This robust Royalcraft cantilever parasol will protect you from the sun and rain while you’re outside, whether you’re tending to your plants or simply enjoying them. And the powder-coated aluminium frame and fibreglass ribs provide lasting durability against the elements.
Ready to plant the seeds of a brand-new hobby? Shop for everything you need to start your own garden with Amazon Pay — and check out without having to fill out any address, account, or billing information.