Top 10 Most Common Gardening Mistakes
10 common gardening mistakes you might be making
Gardening is one of the most relaxing and rewarding activities. Whether you're just beginning or an expert, gardening requires lots of planning and knowledge. Unfortunately, even the best gardeners sometimes make mistakes that turn their beautiful plants into a mess! Below, we've put together some of the most common mistakes and what to do about them.
#1: Not using the right plant
One of the most common mistakes gardeners make is selecting the wrong type of plant for the space they're trying to fill. Certain plants are better suited to certain spaces. If you're planting a formal garden, for example, think about choosing plants that are more compact and grow well in smaller spaces. This will ensure your plants have enough room to spread out and bloom.
#2: Not caring for your plants properly
If you leave your plants sitting out in the rain or forget to water them, they won't perform to their best. Watering is vital for plants and other outdoor areas, too. If you're unsure how often to water, check with your local nursery or garden center. Some types of plants, like flowers, need to be watered twice a week. If you don't water, the soil will dry out, the plant will wilt and you may not get the results you're looking for.
#3: Not having a plan
Gardening without a plan is like walking through a minefield. You're bound to make at least a few mistakes, and if you're not careful, those mistakes could end up ruining your entire garden. Make sure you have a clear idea of what you want your plants to look like, and then work backwards to figure out what you need to do.
#4: Not adding a variety of plants
The key to a healthy garden is a mix of different types of plants. If you only plant one or two types of plants in your garden, you're limiting the number of possibilities and the variety of flowers and foliage you can enjoy.
#5: Not knowing when to start seeds
Many gardeners like to start seeds indoors in the winter months so that they have their spring garden ready to go by April or May. This is a good idea, but you have to remember that if you start your seeds indoors, you'll have to move them to your garden after they sprout. Don't forget to give your seeds a good dose of fertilizer or a plant food before you plant them.
#6: Not being creative
Every garden needs a little bit of flair. If you don't have any sort of imagination, you'll never find yourself in a position where you need to create a special area for your plants. If you're stuck in a rut, you can try using potted plants or containers in unusual shapes. The point is, you shouldn't be afraid to try something new!
#7: Not growing from seed
Seeds are inexpensive, easy to grow and offer a wide variety of plants. Growing from seed gives you the chance to control exactly what your plants look like and can also result in plants that are more unique than anything you'd be able to buy from the store.
#8: Over-pruning
While pruning can be necessary to help a plant grow well, over-pruning can actually harm your plant. If you remove too many branches, the plant won't have anywhere to send its energy. Instead, remove the weakest parts of the plant first and allow them to return.
#9: Not composting
Plants need nutrients, and you can't provide those nutrients to them if you don't compost. Composting helps plants get the right amount of nutrients they need and also keeps them healthy. A great way to start composting is to take leaves, grass clippings, weeds, kitchen scraps and other organic waste and place it in a pile. Be sure to use biodegradable materials (like newspaper) for your compost, and make sure that the soil in your garden is rich in nutrients.
#10: Not watering deeply enough
If you only water your plants lightly, you could risk damaging their roots. If you notice that you're having a problem with your plants, check the level of moisture in the soil. You should be able to feel moisture at about 4 inches deep.
So...
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