6. Pick your plants. Choose plants adapted to your climate, your soil, and the amount of sunlight in your garden. Here are a few easy-to-grow plants for beginners. Annual: cosmos, marigolds, impatiens, geraniums, Calendula, sunflowers, and zinnias.
Perennials: Russian sage, lamb's-ears, black-eyed Susans, purple coneflowers, phlox, pansies, and daylilies. Vegetables: lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
7. Water. Seedlings should never dry out, so water daily while they are small. Taper off as the plants get larger. New
transplants also need frequent watering -- every other day or so -- until their roots become established.
After that, how often you need to water depends on your soil, how humid your climate is, and how often it rains.
8. Mulch. To help keep weeds out and water in, cover the soil with a couple of inches of mulch. All sorts of mulch are available, from pine needles to cocoa hulls to bark chips. For a vegetable garden or bed of annuals, choose a mulch that decomposes in a few months. For perennials, use a longer-lasting mulch, such as bark chips.
9. Keep it up. Be sure to continue watering, pulling weeds, and fertilizing. Don't forget to enjoy your garden and admire your hard work!