Gardeners Do Not Do in Their Gardens

 Things Master Gardeners Do Not Do in Their Gardens

We sought the advice of Master Gardeners to assist the remaining gardeners in our favor. Here are the key mistakes they see and how to avoid them. Gardening is a forgiving pastime. If you forget to water once, the plants will usually bounce back after soaking well. But there are a few bad habits that can hinder a garden. We asked two master gardeners to share some common mistakes they see in the garden and how to fix them. Here are the things that master gardeners do not do in their own gardens - things you should avoid.

The soil is not tested

Charlotte Ecker Wiggins, Master Gardner Emeritus of the University of Missouri Extension and award-winning author, opens with the mistake of this classic newcomer: "Trying to garden without knowing what kind of soil they have." Soil makes all the difference when choosing plants, fertilizers, and corrections.

A simple, inexpensive soil test solves this problem. DIY home soil testing tools are an option. However, Ekker recommends contacting Wiggins University Extension Offices, which "offers an easy soil sample test for $ 15-20 per test, including recommendations on how to correct the soil for desired crops."

Over-purchasing or planting

Buying too many plants or seeds or planting them too close is another common garden mistake. This can lead to an unruly, geeky garden, but Acre Wiggins says, "Planting plants without space to grow can exaggerate the soil with fewer nutrients than healthy plants."

Check the spacing before sowing the seeds and make sure they are not planted too close. You can store the remaining seeds, but they will expire, so be sure to use them next season.

When handling perennial fruits, it is advisable to plant them so that they are now full and green. However, as they reach maturity, they become more abundant.

Instead, follow the advice of Haley Giambalvo, a certified Texas Master Naturalist, member of the Texas Native Plant Society, and owner of Native Backyards: Replace or remove overgrown plants. "

Excessive fertilization

Most plants do not need to be fertilized as much as you might think. Garden fertilizers can be harmful to some plants so they can produce less or less fruit.

Ecker Wiggins warns of excessive composting, especially for hanging baskets. “It is best to water the hanging baskets at half to one-fourth of the recommended fertilizer level so the plants do not expand their roots, grow too much foliage, and have few flowers,” he says. He recommends gently releasing granular fertilizers for beginner gardeners.

Laying mulch very close to the tree trunks

Mulch around trees retains moisture and helps with the weather in winter, but incorrect mulch can do more harm than good. According to Ecker Wiggins, the wrong way is: "Add mulch to the trunk of the tree instead of leaving a gap between the trunk and the mulch."

When putting mulch around your trees, leave three to five inches between the mulch and the tree.

Not composted

We have already discussed the importance of testing and correcting your soil, and compost is one of the best organic soil corrections. The best part? You can create it yourself for free!

Master gardeners know the power of fertilizer and make full use of its nourishing power. Learning how to make compost will take the garden to the next level, and it is also good for the environment. "About 40 percent of all food in the United States is thrown away," says Ecker Wiggins. "Use it well to reclaim the soil that grows our food."

Planting against the hardness zone

It is possible to successfully grow plants from other climates. This is actually the case with many annual flowers. However, to find that your USDA plant does not fit into the Hardiness Zone is frustrating to plant what you think is a perennial plant.

“I would love to buy one of every beautiful flower that blooms in the nursery,”. “Many nursery flowers are native to other parts of the world and in your climate Prosperity requires special care and child-rearing. For that reason, I recommend new gardeners choose plants that belong to their local area.

Too much, too little, or too little watering at the wrong time

Frequent watering is a common garden mistake that master gardeners look for inside and out. It can cause root rot and other plant diseases.

Investigate how much moisture each plant needs and water accordingly. Some prefer to dry completely between irrigations, while others prefer constantly moist soil. Most houseplants do not need to be watered every day, and some do not need to be watered every week.

Another problem with underwater plants is that a lot of gardeners see the master. Especially young outdoor plants need regular watering. "Planting native plants does not mean they do not need water," says Ecker Wiggins. "Seeds of native plants should be watered regularly until their roots persist."

Giambalvo adds: "Even harder plants need time to adjust to their new location once they are transplanted." Give them plenty of water first, then their roots will shrink as they grow.