Gardening is a relaxing hobby that can boost your home’s beauty and add lush greenery to the environment. If you’re new to the pastime, you may be excited to purchase plants, flowers, and gardening tools to get started, but there are some mistakes that novices end up making. Below are a few tips to avoid the most common errors. 

Common Gardening Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

1. Improper Timing

Many first-time gardeners do not time their plantings correctly. They either can’t wait to use their new gardening tools and plant too soon, subjecting their plants to unexpected cold fronts, or they wait too long into the season and the high heat ruins any blooms. Be patient in your planning. Research your area’s climate and the best months to plant each type of seed you have. For instance, spring crops like cucumbers and tomatoes do best when planted in March, while sweet potatoes prefer the hot temperatures of summer.

2. Overplanting

Excitement can lead to an overambitious first garden that requires a lot of maintenance. Instead, start small and choose three to five vegetables that are easy to care for like lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, and carrots. This way, you won’t be overwhelmed trying to keep track of too many plantings. The more experience you gain, the more plants you can add each season.

3. Poor Placement

Tucking a garden in a back corner makes it harder to tend. It may also reduce how much sunshine your plants get. Choose a spot that you can easily get to each day that also provides the right amount of light for healthy plants. However, be wary of areas that get too much sun, as this can scorch your new garden. Carefully plan and place plants by their personal light needs. For example, peppers thrive in a full-sun environment, but beets do best in partial shade.

4. Overwatering

Just like too much sun can be bad, so can too much water. Avoid oversaturating your plants and watch the weather so that rainfall is part of your watering plan. Most plants fare well with moist soil about four inches deep so that hydration reaches the roots.

5. Excess Fertilizer

Too much fertilizer can be a problem. Excess nutrients can harm plants, especially in their young stages, which is why a water-soluble fertilizer is optimal for the beginning of the season. Moderation is key and each plant has its own requirements. For vegetables like corn, nitrogen-rich options are best, but for flowers and berries, low pH fertilizers are optimal.   

Whether it’s your first time planting a garden or you’re a seasoned expert, turn to the team at Farmers Cooperative in Live Oak, FL. Since 1946, homeowners throughout Suwannee and Madison counties have relied on this company for their gardening tools and farming supplies. Their inventory includes everything from bulk feed for animals and pets to fertilizers, lumber, and fencing options. They also offer propane for residential, commercial, and agricultural clients. Visit their website to browse their selection of gardening tools and other supplies, or call (386) 362-1459 to speak with a helpful team member today.