One of those hobbies that is both fun and relaxing is gardening. Starting a garden can feel like entering a new world, whether your goal is to grow your own vegetables, bring fresh flowers into your home, or just make a peaceful outdoor space. But if you’ve never gardened before, all the dos and don’ts might be too much for you.
Believe me, every gardener has made mistakes, especially when they first started. The good news? With a little help, you can avoid many common mistakes. This list of five mistakes that new gardeners often make and some nice tips on how to avoid them will save you time and a lot of stress.
1. Skipping the Plan and Going Straight to Planting
The moment you walk into a garden shop, it’s simple to lose track of time. Your eyes are drawn to pretty flowers, cute pots, and lots of greenery. Before you know it, you’ve bought more plants than you can fit.
Why it’s a problem:
Things can go badly if you jump in without a plan. You could put flowers that like sun in an area that doesn’t get much sun, or you could plant things too close together, not giving them enough room to grow. Even worse, some plants might not do well in your soil or temperature.
How to avoid it:
Get to know your place first. Does your garden get sun or shade, or is it a mix? How does the ground feel? (We’ll talk about soil some other time.) Make a plan of your garden and put plants that need similar care together. Make sure you’re picking plant types that will do well in your area by reading the tags or doing a quick search online.
How do you want all the pieces in your garden to fit together like a puzzle?
2. Overwatering (or Forgetting to Water at All)
Why it’s a problem:
When you water your plant too much, the roots can die, which can cause rot and fungal diseases. If you don’t water your plants enough, on the other hand, they become stressed and more likely to get pests and diseases. To keep your plants happy and healthy, you need to find the right mix.
How to avoid it:
First, find out how much water your plant needs. Some, like plants, do better when you don’t water them, while others, like tomatoes, need more water. If you can feel your finger about an inch into the ground and it feels dry, it’s time to water.
For better watering in bigger areas, think about getting a drip irrigation system or a soaker hose. Also, if you can, water your plants in the morning. This keeps them healthy and gives them time to soak up the water before the sun gets too hot.
3. Ignoring the Importance of Soil Health
Why it’s a problem:
A lot of first-timers don’t bother to prepare the soil first and just start planting. Poor soil can make plants weak, cause them to lack nutrients, and make you very frustrated. The soil that plants grow in is what makes them healthy.
How to avoid it:
First, check out the soil. A lot of garden stores sell cheap kits that check the pH and nutrient levels of soil. You can change the soil by adding compost, organic matter, or certain fertilizers based on the findings.
Putting in soil changes everything. It adds nutrients to the soil, makes it drain better, and increases the activity of microbes, all of which are good for your plants. Instead of garden soil, which can be too heavy and compacted for pots, buy good potting soil if you want to plant in containers.
4. Taking On Too Much Too Soon
Starting too big can lead to stress, even if you’re excited about it. When people plant their first garden, many of them end up realizing they don’t have the time or energy to keep up with it.
Why it’s a problem:
A big garden needs to be watered, weeded, pruned, and pest-controlled on a frequent basis. It’s easy to get behind when you have a lot going on. It can get frustrating when bugs take over or plants start dying, and you might want to give up.
How to avoid it:
Start out small. Pick a small area that you can handle and grow only a few plants. Container gardening is a great way to start gardening without having to commit to a big piece of land.
You can slowly add to your garden as you gain confidence and experience. The important thing is to plan for success instead of stress.
5. Forgetting About Pests and Plant Diseases
Gardeners don’t like having to deal with diseases and pests, but ignoring them won’t make them go away. To begin with, many people don’t know what to look for, so issues may not be seen until it’s too late.
Why it’s a problem:
Aphids, slugs, and caterpillars are just a few of the pests that can really mess up your garden. Fungal diseases and blights can also spread very quickly. Your hard work will be lost in just a few days if you don’t stop them.
How to avoid it:
First, pay regular attention to your garden. Look for holes in the leaves, leaves that are turning yellow, or spots that don’t belong. Plants that are healthy are less likely to get bugs, so make sure they have good soil, enough water, and sunshine.
When issues arise, you need to act quickly. For bugs, you can hand-pick (yes, it’s gross, but it works) or use natural remedies like neem oil or insecticidal soap. If you want to stop a disease from spreading, get rid of any plants or leaves that are affected.
Don’t forget that not all bugs are bad! You should let ladybugs, bees, and some beetles into your yard because they naturally get rid of pests and spread pollen.
Bonus Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Because gardening is a learning process, here are a few more common mistakes to avoid:
Planting at the Wrong Time
Timing is everything in gardening. Planting too early or too late in the season can leave your plants struggling to survive. Always check your local planting calendar to know when to sow seeds or transplant seedlings.
Neglecting Mulch
Mulch is like a superhero for your garden. It retains moisture, suppresses weeds, and regulates soil temperature. Add a layer of organic mulch (like wood chips or straw) around your plants to reap the benefits.
Not Labeling Plants
This one’s simple but often overlooked. If you’re planting seeds or multiple varieties of the same plant, label them! It’s easy to forget which is which once they start growing, and labels save a lot of guesswork later.
Pro Tips to Help You Thrive as a Beginner Gardener
It can be both exciting and scary to start gardening, but there are some things you can do to make the process go more smoothly and happily. To begin, you might want to choose plants that are simple to care for and grow. Basil, parsley, and mint are great herbs for beginners because they grow quickly, don’t need much care, and can be used in cooking. There’s nothing better than using something you grew yourself to season a dish. Leafy greens like spinach and lettuce and bright flowers like sunflowers and marigolds are also good choices for beginners because they only need basic care to grow well.
Another good tip is to look at what other people do. As a hobby, gardening has a group of helpful people who are often happy to share what they know. You can watch gardening blogs and YouTube channels, join gardening groups in your area, or talk about gardening in online forums. These sites can help you learn new things, fix problems, and get ideas for your garden projects. An experienced gardener’s help on how to deal with a certain problem can save you weeks of trying and failing.
Another great habit to pick up is writing in a gardening notebook. Writing down what you plant, where you plant it, and how it grows over time is important. Keeping track of your wins and losses helps you figure out what works best in your space and circumstances. Over time, you’ll learn a lot about gardening that is unique to you. This will help you have a better planting season every year.
You don’t have to be perfect to garden; it’s about connecting with nature. It’s about getting in touch with the earth, learning how things work in nature, and enjoying taking care of living things. Everything a gardener does goes wrong sometimes, but that’s how you learn and get better.
Don’t make these mistakes when you first start gardening, and you’ll have a garden that is not only beautiful but also shows how much you love and work on it. Get your gardening gloves on, get your hands dirty, and enjoy every step of the process. 🌱
Happy gardening!
