This time last year I wrote a post on <a href="https://gardeningtipsnideas.com/if-youre-not-a-gardener-how-can-you-become-one/">how to become a gardener if you weren’t already one</a>. In it, I listed 10 rules to keep in mind which would help someone to grapple with the basics.

This year I want to lift the bar a little and identify 21 Skills that even the most basic gardener should be able to grasp. With these skills in their toolbox, gardeners should be able to handle almost any gardening scenario and will also be capable to troubleshoot any problems that might occur.
<ol>
 	<li><strong>Propagating softwood cuttings</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Growing herbs from cuttings – Savvy Gardener</li>
 	<li><a href="https://gardeningtipsnideas.com/propagating-from-softwood-cuttings/">Propagating from softwood cuttings</a> – GTNI</li>
</ul>
</li>
 	<li><strong>Germinating vegetable seeds</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Growing vegetables from seed – [pdf] AESUT</li>
</ul>
</li>
 	<li><strong>Making compost</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>How to Start Composting: VIDEO – Ed Bruske <em>[Link since removed]</em></li>
 	<li>Making compost in a backyard bin <em>[Link since removed]</em> – via <a href="http://welchwrite.com/agn/blog/archive/2006_01_01_agn.asp">WelchWrite</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://gardeningtipsnideas.com/how-to-make-compost-by-someone-who-did-it/">How to make compost – by someone who did it</a> – GTNI</li>
</ul>
</li>
 	<li><strong>Pruning Roses</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Rose Pruning – Garden Girl Gab</li>
 	<li>Pruning Roses – GardenMob</li>
 	<li><a href="http://www.humanflowerproject.com/index.php/weblog/comments/333/">When to cut back roses and how </a>– The Human Flower Project</li>
</ul>
</li>
 	<li><strong>Pruning Shrubs</strong>
<ul>
 	<li><a href="http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/07/10/forsythia-pruning-before-and-after/#more-773">Forsythia Pruning: Before and After</a> – Cold Climate Gardening</li>
 	<li>A Guide to Successful Pruning, Pruning Shrubs – VCE</li>
</ul>
</li>
 	<li><strong>Dividing Bulbs</strong>
<ul>
 	<li><a href="https://gardeningtipsnideas.com/propagating-by-division/">Propagating by division</a> – GTNI</li>
 	<li><a href="https://gardeningtipsnideas.com/planting-and-transplanting-tulip-bulbs/">Planting and transplanting tulip bulbs</a> – GTNI</li>
</ul>
</li>
 	<li><strong>Watering Plants</strong>
<ul>
 	<li><a href="https://gardeningtipsnideas.com/overwatering-plants/">Overwatering plants</a> – GTNI</li>
 	<li><a href="https://gardeningtipsnideas.com/10-ideas-to-save-water-in-the-garden/">10 ideas to save water in the garden</a> – GTNI</li>
</ul>
</li>
 	<li><strong>Staking Trees</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>How to Stake a Tree – Grounds Maintenance Magazine</li>
 	<li><a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_14666_stake-tie-tree.html" rel="nofollow">How to Stake and Tie a Tree</a> – eHow</li>
</ul>
</li>
 	<li><strong>Mulching Garden Beds</strong>
<ul>
 	<li><a href="http://ourlittleacre.blogspot.com/2007/05/why-i-mulch-and-why-you-should-too.html">Why I mulch and why you should too</a> – Our Little Acre</li>
 	<li><a href="https://gardeningtipsnideas.com/2006/07/mulch_your_garden.html">Mulch your garden</a> – GTNI</li>
</ul>
</li>
 	<li><strong>Killing Weeds</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Backyard Gardening: Tips for Controlling Garden Weeds – Learn how to have a better garden</li>
 	<li><a href="https://gardeningtipsnideas.com/2006/04/the_best_way_to_eliminate_weeds.html">The best way to eliminate weeds</a> – GTNI</li>
</ul>
</li>
 	<li><strong>Handling Pests</strong>
<ul>
 	<li><a href="http://soekershof.wordpress.com/2007/05/31/pest-and-disease-control/">Pest and disease control; the ‘green’ way</a> – Soekershof</li>
 	<li><a href="http://www.glenns-garden.com/?p=59">Safe Garden Pest Control Tips Integrated Pest Management</a> – Glenns Garden</li>
</ul>
</li>
 	<li><strong>Improving Your Soil</strong>
<ul>
 	<li><a href="http://www.remarc.com/craig/?p=261">Cover crops in the veggie garden</a> – Ellis Hollow</li>
 	<li>Soil Texture Test – Bare Bones Gardening</li>
 	<li>Sowing Green Manure – VegMonkey <em>[Link since removed]</em></li>
</ul>
</li>
 	<li><strong>Plant a tree or perennial shrub</strong>
<ul>
 	<li><a href="http://www.daleysfruit.com.au/blog/2007/10/how-to-plant-tree.html">How to Plant a Tree</a> – Daley’s Fruit</li>
 	<li><a href="http://ravengrrl.blogspot.com/2007/07/plant-tree.html">Plant a tree</a> – Raven’s Nest</li>
 	<li><a href="https://gardeningtipsnideas.com/2006/01/how_to_plant_a_shrub.html">How to Plant a Shrub</a> – GTNI</li>
</ul>
</li>
 	<li><strong>Repair a lawn</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Lawn Repair in Spring – UME <em>[Link since removed]</em></li>
 	<li><a href="http://lawn-mowers.gardeningtipsnideas.com/2006/05/reseeding_your_receding_lawn.html">Reseeding your receding lawn</a> – Lawn Mower Review</li>
</ul>
</li>
 	<li><strong>Ability to maintain your garden tools</strong>
<ul>
 	<li><a href="http://www.keengrower.com/2007/07/03/how-to-handle-rust-on-you-gardening-tools/">How to handle rust on your gardening tools</a> – Keen Grower</li>
 	<li><a href="https://gardeningtipsnideas.com/2007/06/an_easy_tip_for_cleaning_garden_tools.html">An easy tip for cleaning garden tools</a> – GTNI</li>
 	<li><a href="http://www.humeseeds.com/tools.htm">Repairing tools</a> – Ed Hume Seeds</li>
</ul>
</li>
 	<li><strong>Fertilising plants</strong>
<ul>
 	<li><a href="http://iwetmyplants.com/2007/06/26/fertilizing-my-vegetable-garden/">Fertilizing my vegetable garden</a> – I Wet My Plants</li>
 	<li><a href="https://gardeningtipsnideas.com/2007/02/when_is_the_best_time_to_fertilize.html">When is the best time to fertilise</a> – GTNI</li>
</ul>
</li>
 	<li><strong>Basic Plant Identification</strong>
<ul>
 	<li><a href="https://gardeningtipsnideas.com/2007/04/flower_identification_tools.html">Flower Identification Tools</a> – GTNI</li>
</ul>
</li>
 	<li><strong>How to spot a nursery bargain</strong>
<ul>
 	<li><a href="https://gardeningtipsnideas.com/2007/04/planning_a_trip_to_the_nurseries.html">Planning a trip to the nurseries</a> – GTNI</li>
</ul>
</li>
 	<li><strong>How to use the Web to find gardening information</strong>
<ul>
 	<li><a href="http://www.yourbloghelper.com/">Blogging: Art and Practice</a> – Your Blog Helper</li>
 	<li><a href="https://gardeningtipsnideas.com/2007/10/learning_how_to_use_your_new_gardening_tool_the_web.html">Learning how to use your new gardening tool – the Web</a> – GTNI</li>
</ul>
</li>
 	<li><strong>Learning to relax and enjoy your garden</strong>
<ul>
 	<li><a href="https://gardeningtipsnideas.com/2007/09/10_ways_to_relax_in_your_garden.html">10 Ways to Relax in Your Garden</a> – GTNI</li>
 	<li><a href="https://gardeningtipsnideas.com/2007/02/your_garden_as_a_refuge.html">Your Garden as a meditation refuge</a> – GTNI</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>
And that’s it. These 21 basics should empower anyone wanting to be a gardener.