August 16, 2013

Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make

New gardeners make plenty of mistakes; it’s all part of the learning process. While most mistakes are harmless and will only set you back a little, others can be detrimental to your new garden. Here are three major mistakes you should try to avoid.

Seeds – As cheap and easy as it is to buy a bag of seeds, don’t do it. You’re new to gardening, and cultivating seeds is a learned skill. Since plants are most susceptible as seeds, you’re far better off purchasing seedlings for your garden. Seedlings are hearty enough for an inexperienced gardener yet young enough to need tender loving care before they can grow into fruit-bearing plants. No, it’s not cheating; once you master the skill of actually taking care of your plants, you’ll then be ready to start your garden from scratch.

Watering – Don’t be to quick to think that all of your plants need the same amount of water. Take some time to get to know your plants, as some will need regular watering and some will only need a minimal amount. We suggest that you do your homework way before you plant your garden; this way, you can group plants together depending on their water needs.

Pruning – Please do not forget to prune. No matter how little or frail that seedling looks, it still needs to be pruned even if it doesn't have very many leaves. If you don’t prune your plants, they can become unhealthy and sick; when dead leaves stay attached, the plant continues to waste precious energy feeding the dead leaf when it could be growing a new, healthy one. Prune often, and your plants will grow strong and healthy.


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Phil Goold is a retired landscaper of 30 years. He loves being outside more than anything else, except maybe pie. He enjoys connecting with other landscapers and gardeners because everyone brings something new and fun to the table. Connect with Phil on Twitter and Google+.

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