The most memorable lessons in life are formed through experience, but in some cases it’s still better to avoid mishaps all together. Learn about some common bad decisions and oops moments with this second post in the series of gardening mistakes.
The most memorable lessons in life are formed through experience, but in some cases it’s still better to avoid mishaps all together. Learn about some common bad decisions and oops moments with this second post in the series of gardening mistakes.
Too Much to Handle: Gardening is exciting, especially when you’re getting started. Watching the success of that first plant is like taking a first hit from a crack pipe, in a proverbial sense… You’ll get hooked and want more and more. Before you transform the entire yard into a monstrous garden, step back and be realistic about how much time you can dedicate to planting, weeding and maintaining the space. Only plant what you can care for.
Not Knowing Your Zone: You may want to grow bananas, but if you’re in Minnesota, it’s not going to work. Sun and soil conditions aside, plants need the right temperatures to grow. Become familiar with your USDA Hardiness Zone so you can choose plants that are appropriate for your climate.
Forgetting the Soil: There’s more to growing a garden than tossing a few seeds in the dirt. While seeds may sprout in any old soil, the soil needs some attention for plants to thrive. Start by becoming aware of what kind of soil you’re dealing with. Is it sandy? Clay? How does that affect drainage? At a minimum, turn the soil to a depth of 12 inches and work in a few inches of compost. If you want to go the extra mile, check the soil pH level to make sure that it’s in the right range for what you’re trying to grow. Some plants like acidic soil, while others need alkaline soil.
The garden doesn’t need to be completely perfect, but as long as it’s productive, you’ll be much happier with it. Get on your way to a better garden by knowing about common rookie garden mistakes and how to avoid them.
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