(Photo Source: eshelmanmillgardens.com)
You live, you learn – here are the most common gardening mistakes and how to avoid them!
Even experienced gardeners make mistakes, so don’t beat yourself up if your dream of going green turns into a nightmare. Though our main focus is the plants we grow in containers, some of these common mistakes are just as present in the backyards.
The first thing to understand is that you have to use potting soil to grow veggies, herbs, and more, in containers. Good soil provides excellent drainage and nutrients, among other things. Since you’re working with the constricted area, picking the right ground is extremely important, but the same soil should not be used for garden plants.
With so many pots and containers, it’s almost impossible to pick the right ones at your first try. It would be best if you always avoided any pots without drainage holes in the bottom, no matter how pretty they might look. The restricted space implies that you shouldn’t grow tall plants, simply because you cannot give them enough soil to grow in to help prevent them from toppling over.
Apart from regular watering, giving plenty of the sun is another requirement for a healthy and happy container garden. You have to take time to get to know your plants and to learn how much water, sun, and shade they need. Also, not all plants need the same amounts of nutrients. Pot plants cannot find nourishment in the ground, so they need a boost from you. Feed them with a little liquid fertilizer, but please read the labels carefully, because, just like people, the plants tend to act very differently.
Now that we covered the basics, such as food, water, and a home (pot or container), there’s another thing you should be careful about. Avoid placing hanging buckets in open, breezy areas, and if you notice your plants are under stress, consider moving them to a less windy side of your home.
Even people who just started gardening have high expectations. It seems relatively straightforward: you plant some veggies, and in no time you are picking them to make homemade dishes for the rest of your life. In reality, plants often come annually, and you’ll have a short time to enjoy it. Be realistic, pop out the dying plants, and replace them with young, fresh specimens.
Instant containers seem like a reasonably good deal, but don’t buy the ones in full bloom. The younger and fresher the box, the longer you’ll be able to enjoy it. Additionally, make sure that your container doesn’t have both spring and fall plants, which is often what you will get in a prepared container. Knowledge and patience are your best gardening tools.