From the source rules
Who goes first in The Hanging Gardens?
English Gigamic rules, multiplayer setup
Whoever did yard work most recently takes the first-player marker and begins their garden.
Rule details
This answer covers multiplayer setup. The separate solo supplement uses an Automaton opponent.
Source & edition
- The Hanging Gardens: Gigamic rulesGigamic · Setup, step 8; PDF pages 2 · Checked 2026-09-23Printed page references: 2Cited PDF pages: 2
Image: © Gigamic (publisher of the cited rules; cover art may have additional creators or rights holders) · Gigamic
If there’s a tie
The rulebook doesn’t say.
More starting rules
Browse available game rulesGames with a similar starting rule
Cottage GardenThe player who most recently weeded a garden goes first.
Save the Treasure of Fairy TalesThe player who was most recently in a garden starts.
River Valley GlassworksWhoever saw a river most recently takes the first-player marker and starts.
K2The player who was most recently in the mountains takes the starting player marker.
Terra MysticaWhoever most recently dug a planting bed in their own garden goes first.
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