For a lot of us having a garden is a sign that we have finally “made it” in life. It is a representation of our dedication to growing our own food, and taking care of something with our own two hands. But for first timers, the process of starting a garden can be daunting. There are alot of common mistakes that people make when starting their very first garden. This is article is here to help make the task seem a bit easier.
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Not Planning Ahead
One of the most common mistakes made by first-time gardeners is not planning ahead. This can result in a number of different problems, such as not having enough space for all of your plants or not choosing the right plants for your climate and soil type. It’s important to take the time to plan your garden out before you start planting, and to make sure you have all of the necessary supplies on hand.
Not Preparing The Soil
Another common mistake is not preparing the soil properly before planting. This can lead to poor plant growth and decreased yields. Make sure to loosen the soil up well before planting, and add some organic matter if needed. You may also want to add fertilizer or compost to help improve the soil ‘s nutrients and drainage. You can also experiment with different planting techniques that claim to improve yields without adding extra soil or fertilizer, such as the square foot gardening method.
Difficult Access To Water
Depending on how large your garden is, you may want to consider using drip irrigation instead of overhead watering. This will make it easier for you to water your plants effectively while saving time and money over poor quality traditional sprinklers.
Make sure not to over water either though, since this can lead to many of the same problems caused by under watering your plants. Drought resistant plants are best if you live in a desert climate where water is scarce, but check out some tips on growing these types of plants before buying anything.
Not Using Proper Pest Control
A good garden requires a healthy balance between beneficial and harmful organisms. In order to maintain this balance you will need to keep on top of pest control, at least until the beneficial insects have time to build up their populations. There are many different methods of natural pest control, such as companion planting with marigolds or chives. Both great options for your vegetable garden if they grow well in your climate.
Also, don’t forget that there is always the option of using ladybugs for organic insect control. You can buy them from a local nursery or online supplier if you’re not blessed with an overabundance of ladybugs in your area.
Not Pruning Properly
Pruning plants is an important part of maintaining plants while they’re in your garden. In order to stimulate growth and maintain the desired shape of the plant, you should prune them regularly. This is especially important when growing fruit trees. Without proper pruning , these trees can easily become crowded which will interfere with their ability to bear fruit.
Some plants also require different types of pruning in order to encourage them to grow a certain way. So make sure you read up on your specific plant before you begin cutting away.
Not Planting An Appropriate Variety
Depending on where you live, some vegetables are better suited for your region than others. If there is a particular vegetable that you like then it’s important for you to get the right variety since this will be one less thing that can potentially go wrong with your garden. Before buying anything check with your local cooperative extension office to see what types of seeds are best suited for your region, and be sure to plant them in the proper season!
Not Heeding Warnings About Diseases
An important part of avoiding diseases in the garden is knowing when to avoid planting certain crops altogether. Unfortunately, many vegetables can become infected by soil-borne diseases if they’re planted too close together, which increases the risk of disease. If you’re looking for better yields try companion planting with less susceptible plants like onions or garlics.
Also make sure to rotate your crops every year since this will help prevent soil borne diseases like club root from taking over. When watering make sure not to splash water on the leaves of your plants since this can spread certain diseases like blight and mildew. This is especially true if the water contains fertilizer or manure.
Not Harvesting At The Right Time
Contrary to popular belief, vegetables do not continue growing once they’re harvested. The only things that will affect their growth rate at that point are temperature and storage conditions. For example, tomatoes will continue to ripen after they’ve been picked. Many first-time gardeners make the mistake of waiting too long before harvesting their vegetables. Usually out of fear of killing the plant by picking them too soon.
If you wait until a vegetable has completely matured before harvesting it, then you risk missing peak flavor as well as everything else being smaller than normal. Not only does this lower the overall yield of your garden, but it can also reduce the nutritional value of the vegetables. To get the most out of your garden, be sure to harvest your vegetables at their peak ripeness!
Not Planting In The Right Spot
One of the biggest mistakes a first-time gardener can make is not planting their garden in the right spot. Most vegetables need at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. So make sure to take this into account when deciding where to put your garden.
If you live in a particularly hot climate then you’ll also want to plant your garden in an area that gets afternoon shade. This will help keep your plants from wilting in the heat. Other things to consider when choosing a spot for your garden include wind exposure, soil type, and drainage.
Conclusion
By knowing what to look out for, you can avoid these mistakes and have a successful garden season! In addition to the tips provided in this article, be sure to read up on your specific plants in order to learn how to care for them properly. Most importantly, have fun gardening!
