To any new gardener out there, here’s what you should remember: If you feel like giving up, you’re doing it wrong.
Many new gardeners give up easily because their garden didn’t turn out the way they wanted. That’s okay. Nothing is perfect on the first try. Besides, you learn more from mistakes than you do from success. Before you even think of giving up:
- Study the things you might’ve done wrong.
- Get some advice from experienced gardeners.
- Do more research.
It doesn’t end there.
For that, here are some common mistakes new gardeners make. Some of these might be the things you want to correct in your way.
Planting too much and overcrowding
New gardeners tend to get too excited and end up planting more than what they planned and needed. Be sure not to crowd the plants. With them too close to one another, some of them might not get enough water and nutrients. Once you get the basics, you can expand if you want to.
A 10 x 10-foot garden is all that you need for a start. Don’t forget to put up fencing and a gate wide enough for a wheelbarrow or other things to fit. Horizontal fencing is perfect for someone who has a dog running around the garden. You don’t want them to mess up what you’ve worked for.
Since you’re just new to gardening, too much can overwhelm you. So it wouldn’t be a surprise if you’d want to give up after a year. You should also know that a more extensive garden comes with greater responsibility.
Start small. Make your list of vegetables and herbs you would reach for often. Make time to research and stick to what you’ve studied to do things right. Don’t reach for seeds and plants you’re not sure about. Different plants require different ways of caring for them, and it might lead to disaster.
Watering too much, then watering too little
Most new gardeners assume that the more water, the better. But really, you’re just drowning them. You should learn exactly how much water each plant you choose needs. Young seedlings and baby plants don’t need much water yet need consistent moisture. That means don’t create a puddle for them. When they’re fully grown, that’s when they need more water.
Ignoring soil quality and failing to prepare it
Low-quality soil is less fertile and dries out quicker than improved soil. Therefore, the plants are going to dry out faster too. It’s recommendable to use a soil test to make sure your beds contain the right nutrients and their levels. Through this, you should also know how much supplement you need.
Planting too soon or too late
You can’t just assume that you can plant anything anytime. That’s not how gardening works. It takes patience and knowledge to keep a garden growing. It would be best if you were mindful of when to plant so they can grow healthy and abundant.
Winter crops can be sown and grown in early spring. Most edible plants require warmer temperatures. Know the final frost date for your area to time when exactly to start planting accordingly.
Failing to plant at the right place
If you can’t just plant anytime you want, you can’t plant anywhere you won’t either. The best place to plant is under healthy sunlight. Most flowers and vegetables need full sun. They need a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight every day. However, some plants want little time under the sun.
Forgetting to maintain and harvest
Like any other aspect of the house, your garden also needs regular maintenance, such as weeding, feeding, and watering. Different plants and vegetables have different watering needs. Some must be watered at ground level or with drip hoses since overhead watering can make them tired. Some are tolerant of a watering system with an overhead sprinkler.
Don’t forget about weeding because they steal nutrients away from your wanted plants. They can also attract pests and insects. Learn different ways to feed your plants and stick to what world for you and your plants. When you decide to plant vegetables, you also must have committed to harvesting once it’s time. Not harvesting when they’re ready will slow your garden down.
For a beginner gardener, choose plants that aren’t so challenging to plant and maintain. Make sure that you have time to maintain your garden, or your work will go to waste.
Gardening is supposed to be something relaxing and enjoyable. It also takes a lot of responsibility. If you’re not happy about it, either you’re doing it wrong, or it’s just not for you. You may know yourself well enough to figure that out. But then again, before you decide that, don’t give too easily.
