One of my biggest goals for 2019 is to improve my gardening skills. Last year, I destroyed pretty much everything I planted within a matter of weeks, and it was heartbreaking… and expensive. So, this spring I decided to start fresh by doing everything in my power to turn my black thumb green. I bought a bunch of gardening books, signed up for a Mid-MO small farms and backyard gardens seminar– that we later forgot to go to, and actually asked nursery employees for tips and recommendations. I’m happy to say that I haven’t effectively killed anything so far this season (emphasis on so far), and, honestly, I’ve been having a lot of fun learning the tricks of the trade. I did need to purchase quite a few new gardening tools and planters, though, and I’m sharing my favorite gardening finds on Amazon with y’all in today’s post!

1. Hanging Planters

Hanging planters are a staple in the south and midwest. However, being from Florida– where only tropical trees and bougainvillea grow, I have 0 experience with them. I picked up this hanging planter basket set, and I’ve been planting fuss-free Boston Ferns in them. All’s going well so far, except for finding a bird’s nest (with eggs!) in one of them. I don’t want to disturb it, so I’m inevitably going to take one for the team there.

Also, if you don’t have a porch, you can pick up these decorative brackets to hang planters, bird feeders, and/or wind chimes from. We installed some on our backyard patio, and they work great! They’re super cute, too. 

2. Helpful Reference Books

Gardening is definitely a hands-on activity, but having great reference books is key. I ordered this plant propagation manual, and it’s clear to me why it has a 5-star rating with hundreds of reviews. It’s chalk-full of awesome info. I also purchased this houseplant survival guide, and I find myself referencing is almost daily. Oh, and budget-friendly tip– check your local library before ordering!

3. Reliable Gardening Tools

Every aspiring gardener needs tools, but if you don’t know what you’re looking for, you will A. spend too much money and B. end up with a bunch of tools you don’t need. After reading dozens of online reviews, I picked up this affordable set of garden tools and these leather suede gloves. Big fan of both!

Also, I’m not sure if these count as tools– and I forgot to get a picture of them, but I love these gardening shoes. They’re super easy to quickly kick on or off, and they’re rated exceptionally high on Amazon! 

4. Durable Front Porch Planters

One of the biggest mistakes I made last year was buying the wrong sized planters. Either the pot was too big (plants are more susceptible to “root rot” if the planter is too big) or too small for its roots. To be completely transparent, I’m still not sure I got the right sizes this year– only time will tell, but I am a big fan of the ones I found. This set of 3 wooden whiskey barrels is probably my favorite find. It’s a bit of an investment, but they’re made of real wood and can be used both indoors and outdoors.

These white wooden planters actually came from Lowe’s, but you can find a similar style here. I also highly recommend these gorgeous blue planters for indoor plants! I bought 2 and put a philodendron in each to go with the rest of my delft pottery in our dining room. Oh, and I love these geometric hanging planters for succulents, too! 

5. Seeds

I love the idea of growing plants from seeds. It’s so much more rewarding. My track record isn’t exactly impressive (yet), but I do have an indoor herb garden on the way, and it’s all thanks to this culinary herb seed collection. Stay tuned for a follow-up post and DIY indoor herb garden tutorial!

What are some of your gardening goals for this spring/summer? Whether you’re growing an herb garden or just trying to keep your allegedly indestructible plants alive, I’d love to know! Also, for more of my favorite gardening finds on Amazon, check out this list on Amazon. I update it whenever I find great new products. You can also find some brilliant (and useful!) gift ideas for your favorite gardener here. Happy planting!

Photography by Catherine Rhodes. I’m wearing this dress in a size small (I love that it has a tie belt for waist definition) and these sandals in today’s post!