Starting a garden is exciting, but mistakes can lead to frustration and wasted effort. Here are ten common gardening mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Overwatering or Underwatering
Watering too much can cause root rot, while too little leaves plants dehydrated. Knowing how much is hard but usually the plant will either come with instructions (which I don’t always trust) or I look up the kind of plant and what it needs. Every plant is different! You could look in to a moisture meter to check soil hydration before watering. A general rule is to water deeply but less frequently to encourage strong roots.
👉 Something simple like this would work well!
2. Planting Too Early or Late
Timing is crucial and guess what? I’ve both planted too soon and too late lol. Planting too early in the season can expose seeds and young plants to frost, while planting too late might not give them enough time to mature. Always check your growing zone and local frost dates. A garden planner can also help you track the best planting times. I’ve started using a journal for gardening over the last couple of years and it’s been extremely helpful! Amazon has cute ones. 😊
3. Not Enough Sunlight
Most vegetables need at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. If your garden gets less light, choose shade-tolerant plants like spinach, kale or lettuce. Consider grow lights if you’re gardening indoors or in a low-light area. These have done wonders for my indoor plants, especially in the Winter when there is significantly less light!
4. Poor Soil Quality
Plants thrive in nutrient-rich soil. This took me a really long time to understand or even implement! Avoid using dirt straight from your yard, invest in organic compost, manure, or quality potting mix to improve soil structure. Generally you can find this at your local garden center! Try a quick Google search to see what’s available in your area.
5. Ignoring Pests Until It’s Too Late
Many new gardeners don’t notice pest issues until their plants are damaged, I certainly didn’t notice at first. Regularly check for holes, discolored leaves, or creepy crawlers on your plants. Use row covers or insect traps to prevent infestations before they start! I also purchased small gates for certain plants to keep hungry critters out.
👉 Check this one out!
6. Planting Too Close Together
Overcrowding plants leads to competition for sunlight, water and nutrients. Always check the recommended spacing on seed packets and give each plant room to grow. If you’re tight on space, consider a vertical garden or raised bed system.
👉 Your local garden center would likely have one!
7. Using the Wrong Type of Fertilizer
Not all fertilizers are the same. Some plants need more nitrogen, while others require phosphorus and potassium. Over-fertilizing can burn plants, while under-fertilizing leads to weak growth. A balanced organic fertilizer or compost is the safest option for beginners, at least that’s what I’ve found. Always remember to look in to what you are feeding your plants before feeding them. Would you feed your children something if you didn’t know what was in it?
8. Neglecting Weeds
This is a big one! Weeds compete with your plants for nutrients and space. Remove them regularly or you could use mulch to prevent them from taking over your garden. Organic options like straw, wood chips, or shredded leaves work best I’ve found!
9. Failing to Rotate Crops
This mistake was news for me! I didn’t even know this could impact my garden until recently. Planting the same crops in the same spot every year depletes the soil and increases disease risk. Rotate your crops each season by switching plant families (e.g., tomatoes one year, beans the next) to maintain soil health. Tip! Use plant labels to remember where you planted or if using a garden journal, each year note where you plant your crops.
10. Losing Motivation After the First Mistake
Gardening takes patience and learning from mistakes is part of the process. Don’t give up if a plant dies or a crop fails. This even happens to experienced gardeners! Adjust your approach, try new techniques, and enjoy the process of growing your own plants.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll set yourself up for gardening success. Let me know if you’d like additional tips and keep your eyes peeled for new blog posts!
CM
