Experts Share Tips for Starting a Garden

From understanding your space to testing the soil, these landscaping pros offer advice for cultivating a thriving green oasis.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:24pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph in soft pools of warm, earthy color and light, depicting a blurred scene of a lush, verdant garden with shapes of plants and flowers.Cultivating a thriving garden oasis requires thoughtful planning and preparation, but the mental health and environmental benefits make it a worthwhile endeavor.Santa Monica Today

Starting a garden can seem daunting, but a group of landscape design experts share their top tips to help homeowners and aspiring gardeners get started. The advice includes refining your vision for how you want to use the space, closely observing the site to understand factors like sunlight and microclimates, and thoroughly testing the soil to determine what plants will thrive. The experts emphasize that taking the time to understand the unique conditions of your space is key to creating a successful and sustainable garden.

Why it matters

Gardens offer numerous benefits, from boosting mental health and supporting local ecosystems to simply providing beauty and enjoyment. However, cultivating a thriving green space requires careful planning and preparation. These expert tips can help demystify the process of starting a garden, empowering more people to create their own outdoor oases.

The details

The experts recommend first clarifying your vision for the garden - whether it's for entertaining, enjoying the view, or attracting pollinators. Landscaper Art Luna says this will help guide the design. Edwina von Gal, a sustainable landscape designer, notes that even experienced gardeners may need to adjust their plans, like adding a seating area. The experts also stress the importance of closely observing the site, including mapping sunlight patterns and identifying microclimates. Landscape designer Lindsey Taylor advises getting a site survey to locate underground utilities. And British garden designer Juliet Sargeant recommends spending at least a month or two observing the space to understand seasonal changes. Finally, the experts emphasize thoroughly testing the soil to determine its texture, drainage, and pH, as this will dictate what plants will thrive.

  • The experts recommend observing the garden site for at least a month or two to understand seasonal changes.

The players

Art Luna

A landscaper based in Santa Monica, California.

Edwina von Gal

A sustainable landscape designer based in the Hamptons, New York.

Lindsey Taylor

A landscape designer and former garden editor based in Garrison, New York.

Juliet Sargeant

A British garden designer.

Ron Finley

An artist and activist in South Los Angeles who works to establish shared vegetable gardens in food deserts.

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What they’re saying

“'Do you plan on entertaining in the garden? Do you just want to look at it from the house? Do you want a pollinators' garden with birds and bees and butterflies? Answering these questions is the first step because once you figure out what the use is, you can start designing around it.'”

— Art Luna, Landscaper

“'It's really about the soil. The soil. The soil. The soil.'”

— Ron Finley, Artist and activist

The takeaway

Starting a garden requires careful planning and preparation, but the rewards - from mental health benefits to supporting local ecosystems - make it well worth the effort. These expert tips provide a roadmap for aspiring gardeners to create their own thriving outdoor oases, tailored to their unique needs and preferences.