Some people love nothing more than getting stuck-in to their garden, attacking the weeds and bugs, and nurturing their flowers and vegetables with equal attentiveness. Others, well, they perhaps just don’t know how to get the ball rolling.

Gardening can be a daunting prospect, as there’s so much to do and the results aren’t always instantaneous, so it’s sometimes hard to know if you’ve done a good job or not.

For those that are new to gardening, there are a few initial steps you can take to give yourself a taste of what’s to come and it’s probably a good idea to start with the very basics – and that’s the lawn.

The golden rule of mowing is ‘little and often’. So rather than letting it get into a state of disrepair, regular trimming keeps the lawn tidy and, more importantly, deters those much dreaded weeds. Early in the year, it’s probably fine to mow once a month, but as the grass starts to grow just that little bit quicker in the spring and summer months, it’s probably wise to consider upping it to twice a month.

Additionally, during long, dry spells it won’t be necessary to mow quite so often, as with less rain, it’s important to let the grass grow a little longer. Once the lawn is in tip-top shape, the next stage is to start considering the true beauty and aesthetics of the garden – in other words, the plants and flowers that will ultimately make all the hard work worthwhile.

The key to successful gardening lies in the soil. To help protect the soil and provide the nutrients it needs, there are many different materials that can be used to cover the soil’s surface, such as bark chippings, leaf mould and manure. The collective term for this is ‘mulching’ and it may prove vital to any subsequent planting that’s placed in the soil. It helps to lock in moisture, and also acts as a barrier against weeds.

There is so much to know and learn about gardening – it is an art that is truly learned over many years. For those that are looking to learn more about it, it’s perhaps worth considering joining a gardening club which brings many benefits, including special gardening events and seasonal offers.

Ultimately though, being part of a dedicated club means that you’ll be mingling with the right sort of people and you will be able to learn from those with more experience. So don’t be afraid to get your hands a little dirty – every garden has to start somewhere!