While scrolling through Pinterest you see posts of beautiful gardens and all the abundant produce.  It stirs within you the desire to start your own garden space.  While this is an exciting time it can also be a little nerve racking because there is so much to learn.  You want to do everything just right and have your plants flourish and produce lots of yummy fresh vegetables.  Your expectations are high!  And while that is good you also want to be aware of some of the common mistakes that new gardeners can make.  So....let's discuss 5 top mistakes that you want to avoid as a beginner gardener this growing season.

Gardening has a learning curve.  When first starting to garden you need to start small.  It is easy to start looking through seed catalogs and before you know it your order of seeds is a lot bigger than you originally intended.  Yes, I get it!  I've been there!  But it is best start at a reasonable size.  There are many aspects that you will be trying to master when getting started.  Work at mastering the basics for your first season and then grow out from there.  You don't want to overwhelm yourself to the point that you become discouraged and quit.  A BIG garden = a BIG commitment!!

Think of it this way.  If you are a parent you wouldn't just throw your child into a swimming pool and expect him to swim the first time.  That would be too much, too fast!  More than likely, you will scare the poor child from ever wanting to swim again.  Instead you would likely start the child swimming by gradually accustoming him or her to the water.  First they may splash in puddles, then the may sit a shallow pool and play.  After awhile they may have a life jacket in and start wadding in the water, gradually getting more comfortable until they are no longer able to touch but swimming around the pool.  As they build their confidence and gain some necessary skills then they start to venture out without their life jacket.  They are now ready for bigger adventures!  Just like swimming, gardening is a skill that takes time and practice to perfect.  And when you think you have learned all there could possible be then nature throws you a curve ball.  Gardening is an ongoing adventure of learning new things.  But don't discourage yourself by jumping into the "deep end of the pool" before you are ready! Start small!

The location of your garden can make a big difference in the success of your garden.  You want to place it in an area that you will see every day.  If it is tucked in the back corner of your yard it will be easier to forget it is there.  If at all possible, place it in a place where you can't miss seeing it each day.  This will make it easier to spot any issues with pests, plants needing water, or produce that is ready to be picked.  A garden needs some care and maintenance.  It is not a "plant it and forget it" type of thing.  So make it easy for your to not forget it.

This is a big one!  Different kinds of vegetables need different sun requirements so you will want to check what your specific vegetable plants need for growing.  A good rule of thumb is to plant your garden in an area that will give at least 6 hours of direct sun.  If your plant requires "full sun" that means it will need at least 6 hours of direct sun in order to grow and produce like it should.  You don't want to water your time, money, and energy planting your garden and then it not growing well because of the lack of sunlight.  How discouraging would that be?!  If you only have a shaded lawn to plant in then look specifically for cooler weather crops such as lettuce, spinach, kale, or similar items.  You can always plant a tomato or pepper plant in a container and place it in a sunny location such as a patio or driveway.  Where there is a will there is a way!

Soil is the foundation for a successful garden.  Planting in poor soil is like expecting your child to grow big and strong by eating junk food.  If in doubt do a soil test to check what your soil may need for nutrients.  Adding a good compost to your soil every year really makes a big difference and is a continual improvement that will help replenish the nutrients that your plants use from year to year. 

As a new gardener it is easy to get excited about your planting and get a little carried away.  Honestly, as an old seasoned gardener that problem still exists!  Haha!!  In an effort to make good use of your growing space it is easy to plat with not enough space between your plants or seeds.  Plants need enough space to grow and expand.  Crowded plants have to compete for sun, water, and space.  This will result in a plant that may be unhealthy and more susceptible to disease.  Weaker plants are the first to be attacked by pests.  When first starting to garden it is best to follow the guidelines for growing and spacing for your plants.  This can be found on your seed packet or by looking online.  As you gain experience then you can adapt the spacing requirements to what works best in your area.