Common Gardening Mistakes to Avoid this Spring

Whether you’re a tenured gardener or just starting out; here are a few common gardening mistakes to avoid this spring.

Well-Intentioned Watering

You should water your plants… that seems obvious. But watering your plants incorrectly can actually cause a bit of damage. Often, inexperienced, well-intentioned gardeners will keep their plants saturated to compensate for the warmer weather. But your plant’s roots need room to breathe, and saturated soil can cause the roots to rot, which in turn can kill your plant! On the flip side, letting your plants dry out too much can be just as harmful. Plants need water to make use of nutrients in the soil, and to utilise energy from the sun’s rays. Without water, your plants might not survive, and they certainly won’t thrive!

So, how do I water correctly, you ask? Well, try to keep the soil moist, but not wet. And, if possible, provide a consistent volume of water at regular intervals. Watering irregularly might not kill your plants, but it could lead to split fruit and uneven growth.

Improper Pollination

Are you planning to grow fruits and veggies this spring? If so, you’ll need the help of nature’s precious pollinators.

You’ve probably noticed that most fruiting plants produce flowers in spring. These flowers contain an ‘organ’ that will eventually become fruit when combined with the correct pollen. Pollinators, (such as bees, birds, moths, and flies), aid this process, by transferring pollen from flower to flower as they travel. Many novice gardeners pay this process no mind, leaving pollination up to nature. But it’s important to plan your pollination if you want a bountiful harvest come summer.

First, consider planting a whole heap of colourful, bee-attracting flowers near your veggie garden. With any luck, pollinators will notice your bright display, and visit your veggie garden too! If you still have no luck, consider hand-pollinating your plants instead. But keep in mind; hand pollination is a tedious process, especially if you have a large garden.

Poorly Timed Planting

As with most things in life, timing is everything when it comes to gardening. Water should be given when it’s needed, fruit should be harvested when it’s ready, and above all else, seeds should be sown at the correct time. Why? Because poorly timed planting can totally disrupt your plant’s growth, leaving you with stunted, unhappy greenery, or fruit that never reaches maturity.

So, how do you know when it’s time to sow your seeds? If they’re store-bought, check the back of the packet. Otherwise, give it a quick search online. A little bit of prep can save you a season of stress!

Are you getting into gardening this spring? Here at Simply Helping, we offer gardening services as part of our tailored in home care. So, we can keep your plants watered, your grass well-kempt, and even take care of the weeds, so you can focus on the fun stuff! Click here to learn more and contact us today!