Ten Mistakes a Gardener Can Avoid

Gardening, it can be a joy or a nightmare. Plants help out in so many ways, food, flavor and beauty, but there are mistakes that can happen and this article talks about ten of them. Not only does it show the mistakes, it further helps is a possible solution so that your garden can be a wonder. Some of the more common garden mistakes include:

1. Planting herbs in the wrong environment: (Source: www.herbgardens.about.com) If placed in the wrong environment, such as sun when the plant calls for shade, the plant will die. Solution: made sure the herb that you are planting is suitable for the area. Read the plant tags that come with the herb and know your planting area in respect to soil type, sun amount and water retention.

2. Not enough protection: (Source: www.herbgardens.about.com) although herbs are generally hardy once established, there still could be problems with insects and most gardeners are afraid to protect the plant. Solution: There are two ways; (a) purchase an organic solution that is suitable for edible plants or (b) prepare the soil beforehand making sure that it has beneficial insects.

3. Plants are taking over the garden: (Source: www.preen.com) There are plants that spread in the garden using runners to take over. These vine type plants can take over and choke out the other plants in your garden. They are often labeled as either strong or fast growers. While true they live up to their claim, they can also be the only thing in your garden after a time. Solution: Plant in a large pot and keep trimmed to desired length or give them a trellis to climb along.

4. Too much of a good thing: (Source: www.preen.com) Gardeners, especially beginners, feel that if the proper amount of good gardening things such as water and fertilizer help keep the plants growing, then increasing that will only make the plants grow faster. In most cases this is false, in reality the plants may die. Solution: Follow the directions for fertilizing and water as instructed. It should be noted that most plants only prefer an inch of water/rainfall every week to ten days.

5. Unknown planting zone: (Source: www.preen.com) although plants look pretty and bring lift to your garden, there is a possible chance that they will die if not planted in their proper zone. Solution: The United States Department of Agriculture has assigned the United States difference regions or zones to ensure that a specific plant will grow properly. Read the plant tag on the prospective plant to make sure that it is classified to grow in your zone.

6. Help! The garden has taken over: (Source: Linda Gay of the Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens) Without planning, a plant and garden can over take its intended area and give the appearance of wild and sloppy, not a neat garden as most strive for. Solution: Have a specific plan in mind, better yet, have a dawn layout of your intended garden so everything stays where it was originally intended.

7. The gnomes are running amok: (Source: Linda Gay of the Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens) Too many items, i.e. gazing balls and statues, can over take the garden, drawing the eyes away from the plants. Solution: Install these objects first, then plant the garden or if there is just too many, rotate them every so often to keep the garden interesting.

8. Too much to do and too little gardener: (Source: Linda Gay of the Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens) A large plot of land and a truck load of plants will scare anyone who is just developing their "green thumb". Most beginning gardeners take on more than they are ready for. Solution: Start small and once confidence and experienced is gained, and then start expanding the gardening area.

9. Give them their space: (Source: Nancy Rose, Horticulturist at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University) If too many plants are planted close together, they will have to compete for sun and water, thus they will not produce quality plants. Solution: Simple, plant with enough space between them to allow them to grow. If need be purchase a yard stick to ensure the proper distance.

10. Weed garden: (Source: Nancy Rose, Horticulturist at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University) Ignoring a garden will inevitably allow weed to move in and take over. Solution: keep up with daily or weekly weeding, pulling the weeds out by their roots. Better yet, find them when they are young and have not had a chance to go to seed and again pull them up by the roots.