A Course for New Gardeners:
Start Your First Garden
Enjoy homegrown veggies and beautiful flowers this summer.
Discover how through 10 short, actionable lessons. Plus, you get personal support from Amy and Colby as you follow the step-by-step plan.
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No green thumb required!
Ever said to yourself, "I want to have a garden, but..."
Well, the good news is you're not alone. It can be overwhelming to figure out where to start and frustrating when seeds don't sprout or caterpillars invade your tomatoes.
We've helped thousands of gardeners learn the basics with our step-by-step lessons. We'd love to help you create a sustainable garden too.
"I took Amy's program because I wanted to grow food with my family this year, but I wasn't sure how to get started. Thanks to her input, we successfully grew tomatoes, potatoes, and peas...and started a compost bin!"
- Melissa D.
"If I had to make the choice again, I would sign up again. Gardens That Matter has made a world of difference. I have a garden that I can eat from and delight in. That’s exactly what I wanted when I joined."
- Christine S.
"I love the environment you’ve created here! The material is simple to understand and you pick good topics that help me grow. It’s a place where people can contribute and feel like their contributions are a part of something bigger."
- Simone F.
Meet Your Guide
Hi! I'm Amy. 
Although, I grew up in my family's garden, I made plenty of mistakes when I set out on my own. Planted okra too early and lettuce too late. Tomatoes with gorgeous leaves...and no fruit. I wanted to grow organically, but didn't know where to start.
Today, my husband Colby and I harvest delicious foods from a "beyond organic" garden in Western North Carolina. Our yard is full of flowers and fascinating wildlife. Our three kids enjoy time outside with us (though they magically disappear when it's time to weed). Still, I love knowing they can browse on kale and strawberries without worry about toxic pesticides.
I've been writing and teaching about nature for 24 years since one of my first jobs as a biology tutor in college.
We founded Gardens That Matter in 2015 to help gardeners who want to grow healthy food and a healthy planet.
I look forward to hearing about your garden and supporting your learning journey!
As seen in:
What's Included?
✅ 10 short video lessons with clear, beginner-friendly guidance—no overwhelm, just action
✅ Watch anytime on your computer, tablet, or phone—so lessons fit when and where you want
✅ Prefer to listen? Audio versions and full transcripts make learning flexible and easy
✅ Printable workbook (PDF) with colorful checklists to help you stay organized and track your progress
✅ Access to our private, ad-free online community where you can ask questions and get support
✅ Live Gardener Meetups with Amy—we can connect, get inspired, and troubleshoot together
✅ Lifetime access to all lessons and future course updates—come back anytime, season after season
Here's how it works...
1. Take the Course
Enjoy short video lessons and a workbook with clear action steps. Get the lessons on-demand on any computer, tablet, or phone.
2. Plant
Now for the fun part! We help you decide on a location, pick plants, find local supplies, and get the timing right.
3. Enjoy Your Garden
Savor homegrown foods and a beautiful space, complete with visiting pollinators. Get ongoing support in our community.
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Scholarships
We aim to provide a learning experience that’s accessible, inclusive, and sustainable. We strive to keep our courses affordable to pay our employees fairly.
Scholarships are available so that cost is never a barrier for those who want to learn with us. Reach out to Amy by email or schedule a short call to learn more.
What We'll Cover:
A Step-by-Step Plan for Beginner Gardeners
Grow your own food, nurture pollinators, and build healthier soil — all in one simple system.
Lesson 1: Imagine Your Garden
✨ Discover how visualizing your ideal garden and asking “Why?” will guide your decisions and keep you motivated throughout the season.
👍 Then, learn about the "Green Thumb Mindset" so you can avoid overwhelm and actually enjoy gardening—this simple shift can make a big difference.
Lesson 2: Meet the Plants
🌱 Get to know what the greenest residents of our gardens need.
⚠️ Find out about the common mistakes that "suffocates" plants and how to avoid it.
💡 Plus, you'll learn the easiest way to get nature to do half of your gardening work for you… (Hint: It starts with soil.)
Lesson 3: Pick the Perfect Spot
📍 Location, location, location! Placing your garden in the right spot will make all the difference for your success this season.
🧐 This quick test that reveals if your soil is good for gardening—or if you’ll need a workaround.
🍓 Use the 3 "must have" requirements to narrow down options and choose one based on 4 "nice to have" factors.
Lesson 4: Find Your Style
🪴 What kind of garden style is best? We'll share a few options and help you choose the best one for your space.
❌ Find out why we don't recommend a traditional row garden.
🍅 Explore the gardening method that creates fewer weeds, better soil, and healthier plants—without extra work.
Lesson 5: Prepare Your Soil
🔎 Discover why healthy soil is the key to happy plants and a successful garden...and what makes it healthy.
🧑🏽🍳 Get simple recipes for creating soil mixes for raised beds and containers.
🙌 Practice these "no dig" methods to improve soil in your yard for the long-term.
Lesson 6: What to Plant When
😊 Find out what you can plant now (no matter when you're starting!)
🌽 Discover how plant life cycles and your region's climate influence what you can grow.
🥬 Learn why planting lettuce in summer is a waste of time and seed—and what to plant instead.
Lesson 7: Seeds or Starts
💌 Seeds are everyday miracles. Discover the potential packed into each little packet.
🌶️ Learn when it's worth getting a head start with seedlings....and when it's better to wait patiently for seeds to sprout.
🛒 Get our best tips for shopping for seeds and starts.
Lesson 8: Plan on Paper
🍀 Explore four organizing principles that help you make smart decisions about your garden layout.
✏️ Learn a quick and easy planning method that make your garden more productive—before you plant a thing.
💞 Discover how you can play "matchmaker" to plants that grow well together.
Lesson 9: Plant!
💦 Find out why you must NEVER plant into wet soil.
📏 Get the spacing right so you get the maximum number of plants...and they have plenty of room to grow.
🌻 Learn how to give seeds and starts the best start possible, especially in hot or cold weather.
Lesson 10: Tend Your Garden
❓Ask these 3 key questions when troubleshooting a garden problem.
🐞 Meet our framework for poison-free pest control—and make a plan to keep wildlife from being unwanted dinner guests.
🍁 Learn a simple practice that will help you manage both watering and weeding.
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Giving Back
When you join Gardens That Matter, you’re not just helping your own garden thrive — you’re also making a difference for plants and pollinators around the world.
That's because a portion of each purchase supports community organizations and nonprofits dedicated to conservation, education, and caring for people and the planet.
Grow with us this year!
Enroll in Start Your First Garden and make progress toward growing better food, a better life, and a better planet.
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