Gardening

Looking to start a garden or grow more of your own food? You’re in the right place!
This gardening section of The Free Range Life is filled with practical, real-life tips for growing vegetables, fruits, and herbs—no matter your experience level.

Whether you’re new to gardening or looking to improve your harvests, you’ll find guides on seed starting, soil health, companion planting, pest control, and more.

These articles are designed to help you grow a thriving garden and take one more step toward food self-sufficiency. Browse below to explore all things gardening!

Gardening for Beginners: 11 Tips for a Successful Start

Gardening can sometimes seem like an overwhelming venture for those just starting out. So if this is your first year gardening- or if you are a beginner who was seriously overwhelmed last year- here are 11 tips for beginning gardeners to reduce wasted time, energy and resources as well as prevent getting in over your head.

raised garden evenly spaced

Gardening For Beginners

row garden with plants evenly spaced

Gardening for Beginners: 11 Gardening Mistakes to Avoid

broccoli seedlings in soil blocks

5 Tips for Starting Seeds Successfully Indoors

evenly spaced garden

Garden Spacing: How Far Apart Should Plants Be in Your Garden

growing tomatoes with calendula

23 Tomato Growing Mistakes Made by Beginning Gardeners

How to Grow Guides By Crop

close up of 2 red peppers on a plant in the garden

Quick Start Guide to Growing Peppers in Your Garden

3 red tomatoes in a bunch on a plant

Everything You Need to Know About Growing Tomatoes

broccoli plant in Vegetative Stage

How to Grow Broccoli from Seed

lettuce in raised bed garden

How to Grow Lettuce from Seed in Your Vegetable Garden

watermelon growing in garden

How to Grow Watermelon in Your Garden

basil growing tip

Growing Basil in Your Backyard Garden

zucchini plant

The Ultimate Guide for Growing Squash in Your Garden

fresh dug carrots

How to Grow Carrots from Seed

Companion Planting Guides by Crop

dill companion planted with cucumber

The Best & Worst Companion Plants for Cucumbers

tomatoes on the vine

The Best & Worst Companion Plants for Tomatoes

zucchini plant

The Best & Worst Companion Plants for Squash

onions companion planted with cabbage

The Best & Worst Companion Plants for Cabbage

freshly picked garlic

The Best & Worst Companion Plants for Garlic

4 red bell peppers on the plant covered in water droplets

The Best & Worst Companion Plants for Peppers

fresh dug potatoes

The Best & Worst Companion Plants for Potatoes

patch of purple basil plants in garden

The Best & Worst Companion Plants for Basil

How to Control Pests Naturally

close up of leaf footed bug on a leaf

How to Control Cucumber Beetles Organically

squash bug adult

7 Ways to Get Rid of Squash Bugs in Your Garden- Naturally!

tomato hornworm on plant

How to Get Rid of Tomato Hornworms Naturally

close up of leaf footed bug on a leaf

How to Use Trap Crops to Deter Pests in the Vegetable Garden

Disease, Deficiencies, and Other Problems

browninsh gray signs of late blight on the underside of a tomato plant leaf

How to Prevent Late Blight in Your Garden

2 hands holding fertile black garden soil

Soil Nutrient Deficiencies and How to Fix Them

spent and composted hay

8 Simple Ways to Improve Your Garden Soil for Free

tomato seeds started inside

Most Common Seed Starting Problems- and How to Fix Them

All Gardening Articles

How to Grow Hibiscus

How to Grow Hibiscus

Do you want to bring tropical colors to your garden? Learn how to grow hibiscus for an amazing show of huge flowers!

How to Plant Hyacinth Bulbs

How to Plant Hyacinth Bulbs

Do you love a spring flower garden full of color? Learn how to plant hyacinth bulbs for a beautiful and colorful addition to your spring garden.

How to Grow Tulips from Bulbs

How to Grow Tulips from Bulbs

Do you love a spring flower garden full of color? Learn how to grow tulips from bulbs for a beautiful and colorful addition to your spring garden.

How to Grow Cilantro in Your Garden

How to Grow Cilantro in Your Garden

Cilantro is an easy to grow herb that is perfect for gardeners of all levels. Learn how to grow cilantro in your garden and never buy it again!

How to Save Okra Seeds

How to Save Okra Seeds

Do you grow okra in your garden? Saving okra seeds is an easy way to save money on seeds. Learn now to save okra seeds for planting next year!