Whether you are new to gardening or a seasoned pro, a bad garden season can be frustrating. But a little planning and attention to detail can help you avoid some of the most common mistakes made by beginners and experienced gardeners alike.
1. Planting Seeds Too Early
- Many seeds require a certain temperature for them to germinate, so planting too early in the season can result in a failure to sprout. The best way to avoid this problem is to get a soil thermometer and know the average last frost date for your area.
2. Over-Fertilizing the Soil
- Some people think that fertilizers are a must for a successful garden, but overdoing it can actually harm the crops you grow. Over-fertilizing can cause a chemical imbalance between the soil and your plants, leading to thinner foliage and fewer fruits.
- There are some plants that will strip away nutrients from the soil. It is important to rotate different plants in your garden and not plant the same ones year after year.
- You might be tempted to over-fertilize your crops, but this can lead to thinner foliage and fewer fruits. You should instead use organic compost when amending the soil and only do this as needed.
- Using fertilizers can be very beneficial for some types of crops, but overdoing it can be detrimental to other plants in your garden. Over-fertilizing can also wreak havoc on your soil and make it more likely to attract pests.
3. Over-Watering the Soil
- Watering your plants too much can rot their root systems, making it harder for them to thrive. Overwatering also encourages fungal diseases, which spread easily to other plants.
- Depending on the type of vegetable you are growing, your plants may need to be watered more than once per week. This can be a real pain to do, but it is important to remember that over-watering can cause the soil to become sludge-like and hardened around the roots, which is difficult for the plants to penetrate.
- If your garden is prone to drought, then you should consider growing water-wise vegetables. These veggies can tolerate periods of dryness better than others, and are also a great way to reduce your water bill!
- You should only over-water your plants if you have plenty of space in your garden and they are able to get deep watering every few days, but this is not always possible.
- Ignoring your over flowing water from the gutters. You might also consider hiring a professional gutter cleaning service like Gutter Cleaning Kennesaw since a clogged gutter can no longer drain water properlywhich can result to flooding of your beloved garden.
4. Overcrowding the Soil
- Many gardeners will try to grow as many vegetables as they can fit in their gardens, but this can lead to problems down the road. Overcrowding can make it hard for your plants to receive adequate sunlight and can stunt their growth.
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