Avoiding these Garden Mistakes
Gardening can be such a beautiful and rewarding experience as we connect with nature, giving nature a helping. There are many types of gardening from bromeliad gardens, flower gardens to herb gardens, container gardens, formal and informal gardens and so on. The list seems to be endless but the good in all of this is you can have a garden that is tailor-made just for you based on several factors we will look into a little later.
Deciding on constructing a garden
Deciding on constructing a garden can be a very exciting hobby which presents many benefits but for the beginner who does not know where to start this can be a very challenging experience because there are some do and don’ts when it comes to constructing a home garden.
Common garden mistakes
Just as there are laws that govern the universe there are laws that govern gardening in order to garden successfully. So we will be looking at these mistakes so they can be avoided and have the most amazing experience ever when it comes to gardening successfully.
Starting with a plan
It is always best to start with a plan, knowing what you want is the first step to gardening successfully. Know the amount of spacing you are working with, is this garden space in a sunny, partial shade or full shaded area.
Soil type
Know what soil type you are working with, different plants have different soil requirements, know the size of your plants so you can give them proper spacing so when they reach maturity they will perform at their best.
Location
All plants need some sunlight in order to survive and perform at their best. Base on what was mention above ensure that whatever plants you choose can survive in that garden location. For example, if the garden location is in an area that gets lots of sunlight then you will choose plants that can survive under these conditions.
Plant Depth
Planting too deep, or to shallow can cause injury to plant life and in the case of planting seeds, know the proper planting depth because planting to deeply will cause seeds not to germinate. A rule of thumb is to install plants where only the entire root ball is covered with soil. The entire stem of the plant should be above ground.
Wrong grouping of plants
Install plants together that have the same water and lighting requirements. Too often the inexperienced gardener group plants together that have different water and sunlighting requirements. When this happens one will suffer at the expense of the other.
Overwatering or underwatering your plants
Watering plants are so important because plants need water in order to survive but because plants are so diverse they have different water requirements. Some plants are considered to be drought-tolerant meaning they can survive on little water, for example, cactus is desert plants that need little watering. If you overwater your cactus plant
the roots will rot and your plant will die, so different plants of this same nature need very little water.
The same is true for a plant that requires a good amount of water to survive such a peace lily. These plants are known as high maintenance plants. Giving this plant inadequate water will cause peace lily to die but a word of caution here even overwatering will kill this plant and plants that are of the same nature.
Over-fertilizing or lack of fertilizer
Fertilizer is not plant, food according to popular belief but is plant nutrients. Plants manufacture their own food through the process known as photosynthesis. Fertilizer helps our plants to grow healthy by supplying nutrients,
it is the same when we take vitamins. Vitamins are not food but nutrients that help our body needs to become healthy.
When applying fertilizers always read and follow LABLE because the label is LAW.
Other Graden tips
Other tips that will ensure garden success is as followed.
Mulch- Mulches plays an important role such as adding nutrients to the soil, conserving water, keeping weeds down and also helping to balance soil ph.
Organic soils- Adding soil amendments is very beneficial for your garden plants.
Pruning- When pruning garden plants prune correctly or plants can fall back and in some cases die.
Weed killers- Having some knowledge about weed killers and how to apply them for the best results.
Garden pest- Indentifying and understandeing garden pest.
Pesticides- Having knowledge of pesticides and their use. Note when using pesticides always read and follow the LABEL because the label is LAW.
The final word
Planting your home garden can be a wonderful experience as you connect with nature on the great outdoors. Applying these steps will go a long way in helping you to have such a rewarding experience as you venture upon this hobby that has proven to be very beneficial.
About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.
So many things to take into consideration! I never really considered making a plan for gardening first though. I’ve always kind of just gone and bought what I liked, looked at the instructions and then somehow it survived or it didn’t. 🙂
I think I’ll give it another try and follow your tips more closely. What plant would be something easy to start with, conditions are hot at times and lots of rain at other times – any recommendation?
Hello Petra so good to meet you. Having a garden and watching those plants grow is pretty amazing. Seeing the condition that you have both hot and rainy you would want to first ensure that your soil has proper drainage so the excess water would not settle by adding organic or compost soils.
There are so many plants to choose from to to start with what about bromeliads, there are about 2,300 species of this type of plant last-time I checked, The maintenance care is low and the colors of these plants are really amazing. Hope this help, and please let me know how it goes. Have Good day .Oh and for further help feel free and browse my website. I am sure that you will find all that you need to help you. Here is to you garden success.
https://gardenofedengardencent…
Very interesting and easily readable article. I grew up on a farm, but that was a long time ago and my gardening skill have suffered. The thing that usually get my plants here in the south is the bad bugs. You page on identifying the good bug from the bad bug was most interesting to me. Also, the cultivation of soil is an area I can vastly improve on. The next time I garden, I think i’ll use you advice on building organic soil. overall the website is well laid out and user friendly. I can see how the novice gardener can highly profit from this advise. I know I will.
Hello Donald so nice to meet you and I am so happy that I could help. Thanks a million for those kind words.Wishing you the best of success with your garden.Please let me know how it goes and have a good day.
I am so glad I ran across your sight. I have always loved vegetable gardening in my backyard and it looks like your site has many different useful tips. I agree that the act of growing things is very self rewarding no matter what you decide to grow.
Your breakdown of the different things involved in a backyard garden and the various tips necessitated in growing a beautiful garden is very enlightening. I plan on following your website for more information.
Hello so good to meet you and it is truly amazing to be able to feed ones self by growing your very own fruits, veggies, and herbs. Right now as we speak both my wife and I is istalling a herb garden. I am so happy that I could help, thanks a million for those kind words and please let me know how it goes. Have a good day.