Gardening is a therapeutic hobby that can be rewarding when done well. Following the right strategies places you ahead of other gardeners. In this article, we have curated 10 proven strategies that can help you do better in the garden. Let’s explore these tips.
Test the Soil in Your Home
The pH and the nutrient level of the soil are the most important things to check in your soil. Most plants thrive in a pH of 6-7. Some prefer a slightly alkaline pH. You must improve your soil’s pH if it exists outside this range.
The soil you use for planting has to be rich in nutrients like potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. These nutrients are important for growth. If any of these nutrients are lacking, you can improve by adding compost to the soil. Do not add excessive compost.
💧 Water Base of the Plant
Adequate watering of the plant is important for the deep root growth of the plant. The best time to water the plants in your garden is early in the morning when evaporation is less. The most important part of the plant to water is the base, not the surface of the leaves.
🌿 Practice Crop Rotation
Crop rotation is a strategy that involves planting different kinds of crops in an area rather than the same kind. Why is it important? It helps to conserve the nutrient level. Planting the same thing in the garden can cause the nutrients to be exhausted quickly.
✂ Practice Pruning
To conserve energy, you can cut parts of a plant, especially the unhealthy parts, so it can produce healthier branches. We advise that you remove the diseased parts so that other parts of the plants are not affected.
🌱 Plant Only Healthy Seeds
Your plants’ health depends heavily on their seeds. When purchasing seeds, always select the disease-resistant type. Ensure you inspect the seeds personally and be sure they are not abnormal. Always check the expiry dates of any seed you purchase.
Control Pests Naturally Without Chemicals
Seeing pests in your garden is a sign that you have healthy plants. However, you must learn how to control them smartly. Rather than using insecticide chemicals which can affect your plants, you should consider more natural means of controlling them.
First, you must know the pests that are harmful and helpful. You can use diatomaceous earth and neem oil for pests that destroy your crops. You can use pests like ladybugs to reduce the incidence of harmful pests like aphids.
Ladybugs love nectar flowers, so you can plant them to attract them. Remove plants that are severely damaged by pests to prevent them from affecting other healthy plants.
Weed Your Garden Early
You must weed your garden early. Weeds take most of the nutrients, water, and sunlight your plants need for growth. Your plant’s growth is restricted if you don’t weed early. So you must take them off before their roots become established in the soil.
Space Your Plants Properly
Ensure you space your plants properly to prevent competition. Overcrowding your plants means they have to compete for almost everything. Excessive competition will cause inadequate nutrition. Your plants will appear smaller than they should. Encourage good spacing of at least 2 feet in between plants.
Practice Mulching
Improve the health of your soil by mulching. A mulch that’s about 2 inches thick helps maintain moisture and prevent weed growth. It also protects your plants in adverse weather conditions.
Own a Gardening Diary
A diary makes your gardening journey smoother. Not only do you document the things you have done, but you can also write out the plans you have in mind. In this journal, you can write out different varieties of plants, the season they grow best, and the weather conditions, to know the best time for planting some crops. You can also take note of any observations that can help you in the future.
Closing Thoughts
Your gardening journey gets better if you follow these tips. Remember that consistency is key to achieving the best results.