What is the best advice for beginners?

How great! I'm so excited for you guys to get gardening! Start by getting to know region. Ask someone at your local nursery about plants native to where you live. You also want to test the pH of your soil since different plants do best in soils with specific pHs. Start with something easy. And remember patience is key!

Your soil is the MOST important.Have it tested and follow the recommendations.

Besides soil lighting plays an important role in gardening.

look at your neighbours gardens to see what works in your area. And ENJOY what you are doing. You will find your own unique ways.

Ive been told - if you put in a shrub - you need to water it in, sit with a glass of wine in one hand and the hose in the other. sounds like a good idea to me.

Start with your local nursery with a pic of the area you want to garden. Their 'professional' advice is free and they know your area, climate, soils and their stock.

#1.headache of any garden is weed control. Prepare bed with weed control fabric. Make sure you have convenent watering access.

Start small!! Pick one area that you can gradually expand-- i call this "gardening by the creep method". It allows you to learn a few plants each year how they grow, what they look like in each stage of their life cycle, LABEL each plant so you don't inadvertently dig up a perennial when it is dormant.

Go visit the nearest botanic garden- They will have a demonstration garden that will show local plants for your area, And best ways to grow veggies in your climate.

Whenever possible plant what is native to your area. Planting Native perennials will mean less watering, weeding, work....

If you plant culinary herbs, plant them as close to where you will use them as possible ( like near the kitchen door or BBQ grill :-) They actually grow better when you pick them and use them.

HAVE FUN!!!!

U may have trouble with bugs as you get going. This works. Save plastic throwaway bowls and add on teaspoon dish soap and water. Then push bowls into dirt at least 1 inch above ground. Place bowls about 2 feet apart in garden area. Bugs don't like soap and they will crawl in dish and die.

As DB said, start small. Talk to anyone who will talk to you about their gardens. Ad they will TALK. I find that gardeners all like to TALK about their gardens. Love it. My best pass along that I do is I always plant some marigolds and some basil in and around. Both repel bugs....it's a no kill, no poison thing.