When I first started gardening, I killed more plants than I kept alive. I mowed over bulbs, sprayed weed killer on the wrong things, and buried a few poor ornamentals in “love” that turned out to be lethal. But the good news is—you get better, and here’s where to begin.

• Soil is everything. Don’t cheap out. Plants live or die by what’s under them. Think of it as their diet—give them rubbish and they’ll sulk, feed them well and they’ll bloom like rockstars. Compost is your secret weapon. Manure works too—just don’t get overenthusiastic or you’ll fry their roots.

• Grow what makes you smile. Herbs, veg, flowers—it doesn’t matter, just pick the stuff you’re drawn to. You’ll learn more from one dead basil plant than from ten books. Besides, dead plants make terrific compost.

• Mulch is magic. A 75mm blanket keeps weeds down, locks moisture in, and makes the whole garden look like you know what you’re doing. Just keep it away from the base of your plants so they don’t rot.

• Little and often. Don’t wait for a “big gardening weekend.” Ten minutes a day trumps a blitz every fortnight. You’ll catch problems early and build confidence fast.

• Ask for help. Gardeners are like hairdressers—we love to talk shop. Podcasts, books, articles (mine, naturally)—all bursting with tips. No need to reinvent the wheel.