Verified answer

As you've had a run of bad luck, I'd suggest that you find plants that are easy to grow, and need minimal maintenance. This will give your confidence a lift, as you start to get more success, and you could expand your range over time.

As others have pointed out, some plants will thrive in certain localities, but aren't really so suitable in others, so it's important too to choose plants that will thrive where you live. So, those 2 factors - reliably easy low maintenance plants, that are good in your area will load the stakes in your favour.

I don't know where you're located, so I can't recommend plants knowing with total certainty that they will work for you or everyone else, but there are some general plants that I can recommend. Another tip I'd have is to grow from seed, as this is much cheaper than buying ready-grown plants from nurseries - if you lose some, you don't lose as large an investment, and seed packets normally contain hundreds of seeds, giving you plenty of extras.

The other problem with store bought plants is that they're mainly raised in greenhouses, in perfect environments, shipped out to stores, and then on to your home. This transition shocks them, which alone can cause many problems and plant deaths - even with the perfect gardener.

If it's summer where you are, and have a mostly sunny part of your garden, then really easy seeds to grow, for summer flowers are Nasturtiums and Poppies. Both give lots of colour, mainly needing to be sown in the ground, watered and weeded on a regular basis. They don't usually need feeding - in fact Nasturtiums are worse when fed! - so as long as they get some sun, are watered regularly - and especially before they have sprouted - they will do well for you. Nasturtiums can be climbers, trailers or bush plants, depending on the variety that you purchase, as well as how you let them grow. You can get single or mixed colours, giving you control over the look that you create.

There are some photos here, that give you an idea how they look - http://gstuff.co.nz/shop/garden/images/trapaeolum_... http://www.backyardgardener.com/seeds/images/large... http://dobies.hostserver1.co.uk/im/pd/FLSNAS20972_...

Here are some Poppies -

The Californian Poppy (poor soil lover, sunny open position) http://www.stonyfordcottagenursery.co.uk/images/51...

standard annual poppies - http://www.tandmpics.com/240/2/2197.jpg

If you keep a flower bed full of 1 or 2 choices of plants, in big patches, it creates an eye catching bold display of colour.

Over time, you can extend the range of plants that you grow, as you develop more experience and feel more confident about your abilities. This will also give you some time to look around the local area, see what's looking good, and learn what's easy to look after. I'm always willing to give you more tips, potentially share some seeds, and help out.

Hope this helps. Good luck! Rob

Go to the library and get out some books on basic gardening, or go online and find the resources available there. Try asking more specific questions on Answers, (eg where you live, what you planted, when, how much sun or shade your plants get, what you did to improve the soil etc, and what happened to the plants.)

I wonder if you tend to just put the plants in and forget about them? Plants do need some aftercare, even the hardy ones need watering until they're established (but not too much) and you do need to keep on top of the weeds. Or maybe you tend not to read the labels which tell you where to plant them, so they end up in an unsuitable place?

Good luck, there's a lot of help out there, and gardening isn't difficult or mysterious, largely common sense really, once you've found out the basics.

Do you water your plants too much or too little? Do you use the right fertilizer for the plants? Do you have nutrient rich soil? When buying a plant, ask someone who works there (that actually knows what they are talking about) about the proper care for the plant.

It all depends on what you are planting, and where. What kind of soil you have, and what kind of water you use. Research the plants, plant only things hardy to your area. You might have depleted soil... just lay some compost down... plants tend to love that... research is your friend when gardening :)

Some plants must have full sun...some must have shade to thrive.

Most people overwater, killing plants.

Many times when growing from seed people plant them too deep and/or don't surface water correctly.

Without knowing what you've planted, can't give better suggestions.

and everywhere I walk....weeds grow!

find someone in your neighbourhood who grows stuff really well. Watch what they do. Stop and visit with them and see if they will try and teach you a thing or two about gardening.

You must take care with following tips http://my.mydearvalentine.com/home/outdoor-and-gar...

Go to college and learn how to be a gardner

Can you make pies?