Things to Make Gardening Easier
Gardening is a great way to get outdoors and grow the food you love, but let’s be honest—it’s not always as easy as it looks. Luckily, there are a few things that make gardening easier so you can get back out and do what you love. All you need are the right tools, smart tips, and a few clever tricks, and you can take the hassle out of your gardening routine
Whether you are short on time, suffer from a bad back, or need simple, this gardening 101 guide will put the easy back into growing food for your home and family.
As I get older, I’ve noticed that things aren’t as easy as they used to be. Tasks that once took me an afternoon now take longer, and I find myself hesitating before lifting something heavy, worried about pulling a muscle and needing days to recover.
While I’m not a fan of the challenges that come with aging, I’m determined not to sit on the sidelines. That’s why I’ve made finding shortcuts a priority, especially for tasks that involve hard work.
Sometimes, I can’t call on help when tackling a project like starting a backyard garden, so I’ve discovered a few simple things that can really change the game, making the whole experience not just easier, but a lot more enjoyable too.
Things to Make Gardening Easier
Gardening has a lot of moving parts—prepping the soil, building beds, planting seeds, and adding supports—and most of these steps call for the right tools and, yes, sometimes, a bit of elbow grease. With a few smart techniques and the right gear, you can make these tasks much easier and even more enjoyable.
Traditional Backyard Garden
A traditional backyard garden is the classic approach—an area set close to the ground, often fenced in to protect your plants from animals. But starting one from scratch? It’s definitely a big project. I’d recommend checking out some of the other gardening options before diving in.
If you already have a traditional garden, your first step is to focus on prepping the soil to get it ready for planting.
Healthy soil is the secret to bigger plants and a better harvest, so you will want to spend as much time as you need on soil prep before planting.
Easier Gardening Tips:
- Use a tiller or a handheld cultivator to loosen up the soil and break apart any big clumps—the tools will help you do this step more quickly.
- Use a shovel or your hands to toss in some compost or organic matter to add nutrients and improve the drainage of your plants. You can use your own or purchase bags for a quick solution.
- If you come across large rocks, don’t worry about hauling them away. Just slide them to the side and use them to create a border—it’s a much easier approach and adds a nice natural touch to your garden.
Raised Beds
Raised beds are a fantastic way to garden without straining your back or knees, and they save you time, too. They’re ideal for smaller yards or if you’d rather skip the work of high-maintenance gardening. Plus, they’re perfect for growing a variety of plants or creating a themed garden all in one neat, enclosed space.
One of the best things about raised beds is that you’ll spend way less time weeding. The elevated soil makes it harder for weeds to sneak in, and if you want extra protection, just pop a weed barrier at the bottom—easy to do and extremely effective.
FOYUEE Galvanized Raised Garden Beds for Vegetables Large Metal Planter Box Steel Kit Flower Herb, 8x4x1ftYaheetech 8×2ft Wooden Horticulture Raised Garden Bed Divisible Elevated Planting Planter Box for Flowers/Vegetables/Herbs in Backyard/Patio Outdoor, Natural Wood, 95 x 25 x 11in
Best Choice Products 8x4x2ft Outdoor Metal Raised Garden Bed, Deep Root Planter Box for Vegetables, Flowers, Herbs, and Succulents w/ 478 Gallon Capacity – Gray
Easier Gardening Tips:
- Purchase pre-made raised bed kits to save time and effort in construction. These can be found at most gardening stores or online. They come in metal or wood and just about any shape you can think up, allowing you to fit your bed into the area you have.
- You can DIY a raised bed without construction using rocks, logs, or blocks, giving your garden a neat border without the heavy lifting of new construction.
- If you are building a raised bed, keep the sides high so you can sit and tend to your plants without having to kneel or bend over.
Container Gardening
For the easiest way to grow food, try using containers. Not only are they easy to use, but you can grow just about any plant in them. All you need is the right size, a sunny spot for growing, and a good potting mix.
Using containers is a great way to lift your garden to a more comfortable height, so there’s less bending and straining. Plus, they practically eliminate weeding altogether—removing that time consuming task from your gardening list.
Container options:
You can reuse what you have lying around, like large buckets or old larger flower pots. Use them to grow tomatoes, peppers, squash, or greens.
- Ceramic pots are perfect for growing small plants like lettuce, radishes, or herbs.
- Grow bags are an amazing option and come in all shapes and sizes—you can grow anything from a single plant to an entire garden. They’re what we’re using now, and I absolutely love how simple they make everything—from setting up and growing to cleaning up at the end of the season.
Patigrow Self-Watering Grow Bags, 5-Pack 5 Gallon 420G Thick Nonwoven Fabric Pots with Reinforced Handles and Multi-Purpose Rings, for Low Stress Plant Training Fruits, Vegetables,and FlowersHomyhoo Potato Grow Bags with Flap 10 Gallon, 4 Pack Planter Pot with Handles and Harvest Window for Potato Tomato and Vegetables, Black and Gray
UCandy Pack 2 of Garden Bags to Grow Vegetables with 6 Partition Grids,Durable PE Raised Garden Bed,Suitable for Potato,Tomato,Flower Planter Bags (2)
No matter what container you go with, make sure it has good drainage. If you’re using something like a bucket or another solid container, just grab a drill and add a few holes at the bottom to help water flow out properly.
Things to Make Growing Easier
Once you have your setup, there are plenty of ways to make vegetable gardening more enjoyable and manageable.
Grow Only What You Need
It’s easy to get carried away when planning your garden, but growing more than you can actually use or share often leads to extra work and unnecessary frustration when faced with an overflowing harvest.
Planning Tips to Keep It Simple
- Take a look at what fruits and vegetables your family actually eats. Does everyone love tomatoes, or is zucchini a hit during dinner? Focus on growing what will get used regularly instead of planting something just because it looks fun or trendy.
- If you’re new to gardening or testing out a new setup, like containers, start with just a few plants of each vegetable. This lets you see how they grow and figure out how much effort they’ll require without jumping in too deep.
- Want to try something new? Dedicate a small section of your garden each year to experimenting with different crops. This way, you can discover if a new plant is worth adding to your regular lineup without committing too much space.
Consider Companion Planting
Companion planting is growing certain plants together so they can work as a team, offering benefits like pest control, better pollination, and even boosting each other’s growth by sharing nutrients.
Think of it as pairing up plants that are natural allies to make your garden healthier and more productive.
Common Growing Companions:
- Basil and Tomatoes – Basil helps repel insects while enhancing the flavor of your tomatoes.
- Marigolds and Beans – Marigolds act as tiny bodyguards, keeping aphids and other pests from feasting on beans.
- Onions and Carrots – Onions deter carrot flies, while carrots don’t compete with onions for nutrients underground.
- Cucumbers and Nasturtiums – Nasturtiums repel cucumber beetles and can act as a trap plant, drawing pests away from your cucumbers.
- Peppers and Parsley – Parsley attracts beneficial insects that can protect peppers from harmful pests.
- Radishes and Spinach – Radishes can be planted with spinach to break up the soil and make it easier for spinach roots to grow.
Invest in Long-Handled Tools
For tasks like weeding or tilling, long-handled tools are incredibly helpful. They keep you from having to crouch or kneel, saving your back and knees from strain.
Tools like hand weeders with ergonomic grips and telescoping handles are perfect for reaching all corners of your garden without bending.
Stirrup Hoe and Cultivator Garden Tool Heavy Duty, Scuffle Loop Hula Action Hoe Weeding Gardening Hand Tools for Women Kids Men, Metal Weeder Scraper Garden Hoe Rake Weed Puller Long Handle 32-62 inchHoe Garden Tool,45 Inch Long Garden Hoe and Cultivator, Garden Hand Tiller with Long Handle,Heavy Duty Garden Tools Hoe Cultivator for Gardening,Weeding, Tilling,Lossening Soil,Planting
Fiskars 28
Go for Mulch
Mulch doesn’t just make your garden look tidy—it’s a real time-saver, reducing weeds and keeping soil damp for better growing.
- Spread a layer of mulch around your plants to keep weeds at bay and retain soil moisture.
- Lay down newspaper and cover with cut grass to reduce weeds.
- Look for organic options like straw, wood chips, or shredded leaves.
Set Up Simple Irrigation
Watering can be one of the most time-consuming tasks, but it doesn’t need to be.
- Install a drip irrigation system or soaker hoses so your plants get consistent moisture without the daily work.
- You can even connect them to a timer to take care of the job automatically.
- Use irrigation with containers. Simply set up a drip irrigation system on a timer or use self-watering containers to reduce the need for daily watering.
- Keep a rain barrel near growing areas to collect water for watering.
- Set up sprinklers on timers for larger areas.
Keep It Close
Make things easy on yourself by keeping your garden as close to your house as possible. A garden right outside your back door makes it effortless to pop out and grab fresh veggies or do a quick bit of tending when you have a few spare minutes.
Choose Low-Maintenance Crops
Not all vegetables require tons of care. If you’re looking for an easier garden, focus on low-fuss crops.
Easier Growing Options:
Things to Make Harvesting Easier
Harvesting your garden should be one of the most rewarding parts of gardening—not a chore. With the right tools, timing, and techniques, you can make the process easier, more efficient, and kinder to your body.
Harvest at the Right Time
Timing is everything when it comes to harvesting. Aim for early morning or late evening when it’s cooler outside. Not only is this more comfortable for you, but it also helps keep your vegetables fresh since they’re less likely to wilt in the heat.
Use the Right Tools
Investing in the right tools can make a world of difference both to your body and to your watch.
- Garden Scissors or Pruners – These are perfect for cutting herbs, peppers, and other tougher plants cleanly without damaging them.
- Harvesting Knife – Use a sharp knife or a serrated sickle for crops like lettuce heads, squash, or melons—it’s quick, precise, and saves your hands.
- Harvest Basket or Bag – Keep a lightweight container with you, such as a colander or a mesh harvesting bag. These make it easy to gather your produce and reduce the trips back and forth to your kitchen.
EWPJDK 3 Pack Garden Pruning Shears, Stainless Steel Garden Shears, Gardening Shears, Gardening Scissors, Garden Scissors, Garden Clippers, Pruning Snips, Pruning Shears for Gardening Garden ToolsPERWIN Hori Hori Garden Knife, Garden Tools with Sheath for Weeding,Planting,Digging, 7
Fiskars Harvest Basket, Container for Gardening and Harvesting, Garden Tool with Ergonomic Handles and Collander
Be Kind to Yourself
No matter what chore you are doing, always look to avoid unnecessary strain by working smarter, not harder.
- Sit or Kneel Comfortably – Use a lightweight garden stool or a foam kneeling pad to reduce stress on your knees and back.
- Long-Handled Tools for Hard-to-Reach Crops – Tools with longer handles or grabbers can help you reach fruits on vines or ground-level veggies without bending.
- Wear the Right Gear – Durable gardening gloves can protect your hands from thorns, sticky stems, or dirt while also giving you a firmer grip.
Harvest Regularly
Regularly checking your garden for ripe fruits and veggies not only prevents overripe crops from going bad but also makes each harvest quicker and less overwhelming. It’s easier to handle a little at a time rather than saving it all for one big harvest day.
- Each day look over your plants for anything you can harvest.
- Be thorough and make sure you don’t miss anything.
- For fruits like tomatoes or peppers, pick when they are firm and brightly colored.
- Ripe veggies like zucchini should be picked before they get too big and tough.
- Harvest root vegetables with a small spading fork to loosen the soil around them so you can gently pull them out without breaking the roots.
- Cut herbs with scissors or pinch off individual leaves.
Know How to Handle Fragile Crops
Some veggies, like tomatoes or berries, are delicate and can bruise easily.
- Use both hands to pick fragile fruits carefully.
- Hold the stem gently with one hand and use the other to support the fruit.
- Avoid squeezing or dropping fragile crops, as this can damage or bruise them.
- Store in a shallow basket with plenty of airflow to prevent crushing until you can get them inside.
Plan Ahead for Large Harvests
Have a big harvest day coming up? Make it easier by involving family or friends to help pick, wash, and sort. Bring buckets of water outside for quick rinsing, and have a sorting area ready to organize your produce before bringing it inside.
Things to Make Garden Fall Cleanup Easier
Once the growing season winds down, there’s still a little work to do before you officially call it a year in the garden. It might seem like a lot, but taking these final steps will make things much easier when you’re ready to get growing next spring.
Clear Out Garden Beds
After harvesting the last of your crops, clean the slate for a fresh start next spring. This step is on the more difficult side, but the investment from you will help prevent pests and plant diseases from overwintering in your soil.
- Remove any plants and roots.
- Turn the soil with a pitchfork to break up compacted soil and expose hidden pests or diseases.
- Rake up any fallen leaves, debris, and mulch to prevent pest hiding spots over winter.
- If you’re feeling really ambitious, consider sowing a cover crop like winter rye to add nutrients and prevent erosion over the colder months.
Empty and Clean Containers
If you used containers to grow your garden, clean them out for a fresh start next spring.
- Remove any plants or roots.
- Empty out the soil and put into your compost area if you have one.
- Give your containers a good scrub and rinse.
- Allow them to dry in the sun for a natural way to disinfect.
Mulch Your Beds
Lay down a layer of mulch over your garden beds. This does wonders to protect your soil from harsh weather and keeps pesky weeds at bay. Plus, as the mulch breaks down, it enriches your soil with organic goodness.
- Straw
- Leaves
- Grass clippings
- Wood chips
Show Your Tools Some Love
Well-maintained tools work better and last longer, saving you money and hassle down the road.
- Wash and dry completely to prevent rust.
- Use a sharpening tool to give your blades a sharp edge.
- Oil any moving parts to keep them in good working order.
Store Your Garden Gear
Take a moment to gather and clean your stakes, cages, trellises, or any other materials you’ve used throughout the season. Storing these items in a dry place prevents rust or rot and keeps them ready for action next year.
Sttoraboks Garden Tool Organizer with Storage Hooks, Yard Tool Tower Rack for Garage Organization and Storage, Up to 50 Tools, Heavy Duty Steel Garden Tool Stand for Garage, Outdoor, Home, BlackTIDYME Garden Tool Organizer Wall Mount – 48 inches – Sturdy Storage Rack with Adjustable Hooks, Anti-Rust – Easy Installation, 300lbs Capacity – Garage Tool Organizer (03 Racks & 06 Hooks)
TVKB 68” All Metal Garden Tool Organizer Adjustable Garage Tool Organizer Wall Mount Garage Organizers and Storage with Hooks Tool Hangers for Garage
Reflect and Plan Ahead
Now’s the perfect time to jot down a few notes about what worked well in your garden this year and what didn’t. Use these insights to tweak your plan for next season—it’ll save you time and frustration later.
- Make a note of what worked well and how each category of plant did.
- Note what issues you had and how you dealt with them.
- List out your harvest and where you may want to adjust your numbers.
- Consider any changes or additions you want to make for next year’s garden.
If you keep these simple tips in mind, gardening can feel less like a chore and more like an enjoyable, rewarding process. Whether it’s planning your garden layout, harvesting at the perfect time, or prepping for the next season, these small steps can make a big difference. They’ll not only save you time and effort but also help create a healthier, more productive garden.
With these things to make gardening easier, your vegetable garden can thrive year after year, giving you fresh, delicious produce and allow you to get your hands back into the soil doing what you love.