Gardening for Beginners

Young couple (heads not seen) use trowels to dig into a small raised garden bed on Astroturf, surrounded by gardening accessories.

New to gardening? You’re in the right place!

BobVila.com is your hub for all things seeds, soil, and plants. We’ll help you set up your first garden— whether it’s a few pots on your patio, a raised bed, or a in-ground plot out back, and select the right plants for your soil and region. You’ll also get all the info you need about fertilizers, garden tools, and controlling weeds and garden pests. 

Get ready to dig in!

Seed Starting

Best pickaxes group
Hand Tools

The Best Pickaxes to Break Hard Ground

We put five top pickaxes to the test to see which could handle rocks, roots, and compacted soil.

Hand warmer, hori hori knife, tool belt and tactical flashing on red plaid background
Gifts

The 20 Best Gifts Under $50, Handpicked by the Bob Vila Team

From workshop essentials to smart home picks, these gifts are practical and thoughtful. Plus, at $50 or less, they won’t break the bank.

The Best Tool Belt for Every DIYer
Workshop

The Best Tool Belts, Tested and Reviewed

Keep your essentials organized and in reach with the best tool belt for your tasks, work style, and budget.

Raised Bed Gardening

House at night illuminated by many different kinds of Christmas lights.
Lighting & Electrical

The Right Types of Christmas Lights for Indoor and Outdoor Holiday Displays

Ready to light up your house for the holidays? Learn which types of Christmas lights, bulb sizes, and colors work best in all your interior and exterior spaces.

A person shopping for houseplants in Lowe's.
House Plants

Shop Our Wish List Items From the New LiveTrends Collection at Lowe’s

Whether you’re a seasoned plant parent or just starting to green up your space, this unique line has something for everyone.

Portable Power Stations Are Up to 53% Off on Amazon Ahead of Black Friday
Deals

Portable Power Stations Are Up to 53% Off on Amazon Ahead of Black Friday

Gardening on a Budget

The 9 best solar flood light options together on a wooden table before testing.
Lighting

The Best Solar Flood Lights for Bright Outdoor Areas

Solar flood lights offer security and illumination when there’s no access to an electrical outlet. We tested some of the top picks on the market to determine if they were as bright—and as good—as the manufacturers claim.

The Best Roofing Nailer Option
Power Tools

The Best Roofing Nailers of 2025

Putting a new roof or replacing shingles on a home or shed is a big job. A good roofing nailer is an invaluable assistant that can make a roofing project dramatically easier.

The Best Miter Box Set Options
Hand Tools

The Best Miter Box Sets for DIYers

Small but precise, the best miter box sets hold boards securely for DIYers and crafters who occasionally need to make angled cuts. They’re affordable and handy tools for woodworking projects.

Want to Start Growing Your Own Food This Year? Plant These 16 Veggies.

Learn more about these easy-to-grow vegetables.

  • Bush of pole beans growing and hanging off brach with a yellow flower in the background.
  • Gardener hands harvesting red radishes.
  • Top-down view of mature smooth spinach plant growing in garden soil
  • Mixed lettuce growing in garden soil.
  • Closeup of raw broccoli rabe.
  • Closeup of rainbow chard, with colorful pink, yellow and orange stems.
  • A zucchini plant growing in a home garden during dry summer.
  • A large rhubarb plant growing in a home garden
  • Basil growing in a home garden in June.
  • Young kale plants growing in the garden.
  • Pea garden plant with open bean pod with exposed peas.
  • flowers that attract bees - pink bloomed chives
  • types of peppers - bell peppers on plant
  • A bushel of ripe red tomatoes on a tomato plant vine.
  • Fingers are pinching the top of a mint plant.
  • Two cucumbers hanging on cucumber plant in garden.