It doesn't matter if you spend years building your garden or just getting started to develop a space full of life right behind your window, you will always face challenges and stumble over little pitfalls. Some of these self-inflicted mishaps and some by the hands of Mother Nature are among the many beautiful things about gardening that facilitate lifelong learning, patience, and passion.
While building your garden, you will learn a lot by making mistakes, and its the part of the process. However, here are a few common mishaps that you can avoid:
You have taken up more than you can handle: Are you one of those who have just taken up gardening and are already dreaming of green lunch space full of beautiful flowers and plants?
We are sorry to break it to you; it seldom works out the way you imagine. Start by building one or two manageable garden raisin beds or strips to which you can devote enough time. Also, carefully pick plants that are resilient and do not require a lot of attention or care.
Choose plants ideal for the climate conditions in your region: Many people are now buying plants online; thus, they often pick plants that are not ideal or could not survive in the climate conditions prevailing in their region. Conducting thorough research regarding the planting season and soil conditions before buying a plant will go a long way to build your dream garden.
Do not neglect the soil's health: People often consider "smut" as "soil"; unfortunately, it is not the case. Usually, your garden beds do not contain all the nutrients and lack the right mix of drainage and moisture retention properties that plants need to thrive. Invest in compost and some mild slow-release natural fertilizers to provide the plants with the necessary nutrition that can help them grow.
Excess watering: Showering too much love may not be in their best interest. Watering too much is a common mistake that people who are just getting started with gardening make. Plants breathe through their tissues and roots. If the roots are wet for an extended period, plants are unable to breathe and suffocate. It also increases the probability of them getting rotten or catching a disease.
Overcrowding: Don't ignore the recommended spacing guidelines while planting. People often do not pay attention to the instructions provided with the plants and seeds, which leads to over-crowding; plants and are unable to get sufficient nutrients, water, airflow, and sunlight. It also leads to the spread of disease and pests.
We hope you could pick up a few pointers about how to start building the garden you always wanted. As always, feel free to shoot me questions!
