Gardening for Newbies: Common Mistakes to Avoid

When we bought our home three years ago, I was completely enamored with the idea that I finally had a space where I could create a fancy landscape with beautiful flowers, bushes, and plants. Eager to prove that some of my mother’s green thumb rubbed off on me, I marched to our local home store and bought hundreds of dollars of flowers, plants, a mini bush, and all the soil my heart could handle.

That first year was an epic fail. I clearly didn’t know what I was doing and most of my flowers died before they could even make roots in the soil. I planted a shrub that never grew from the height I bought it at, and all my potted plants were filled with bugs.

Starting out in small gardening often means making mistakes. Knowing the common pitfalls to avoid can save time, effort and money. These insights will make your gardening journey much more enjoyable and a lot more successful.

1. Overcrowding Your Garden

Overcrowding a small garden space is a common mistake. Remember, plants need space to grow well. It’s better to select a few plants that work together. This ensures they all have room to thrive.

My favorite flowers to plant are Knockout Double Roses. They are really easy to plant and their size helps with proper placement and spacing. Plant two or three in a small space and you’ll have the most beauty display of flowers for the next few years. Check out Knockout Roses here.

2. Neglecting Proper Watering

Watering your plants right is crucial. Many beginners either water too much or too little. It’s important to find the right balance. Watch your plants and adjust watering based on plant type, weather, and soil moisture. Take time to review your plants care guide and hang on to them to build a watering schedule. Another tip is to set an alarm for the days you need to water certain plants.

3. Not Providing Adequate Sunlight

Every garden needs enough sunlight. Without it, plants can become weak. First, check how much sunlight your garden gets. Then, choose plants that match the light conditions. Plants that like shade work well in low-light areas.

Double check the plants care guide to determine if it needs partial sun or full sun. Knowing this before you buy will save you money and disappointment.

4. Ignoring Soil Quality

Did you know there’s a difference in soil? And different soils have different nutrients to help them thrive? Your plant’s health depends on good soil. Many beginners don’t think about soil quality. Learn about your soil by checking its texture, pH, and nutrients. Improve it by adding compost, making it better for plants to grow.

I enjoy using Miracle Grow because of their variety in soil mixes that are easy to understand and fit any need. Check out the soil that worked the BEST for me this past Spring.

5. Skipping Pest Control

Pests and diseases can harm your garden. Beginners often forget about pest control. Check your plants often for pests. Use companion planting, natural pesticides, or barriers to keep pests away. I prefer to use more natural, low chemical pest control that’s safe for pets.

6. Failure to Plan for Seasonal Changes

It is so important to know what plants to grow based on the season. Seasonal changes affect gardens a lot. Beginners might not plan for this, leading to disappointment. Know what your plants need as seasons change. This will keep your garden healthy all year. As a quick guide:

Perennials, such as Chrysanthemums, Daisies, and Coneflower, are best to plant in the Spring or Fall.

Annuals, such as Marigolds, Geraniums and Petunias, are best planted in late Spring/early Summer.

Roses plant best in Autumn, before the soil get too cool.

Boxwood Shrubs fair well with planting in late Winter/early Spring.

It is also important to know your planting zone. For example I live in a planting zone of 5 and 6, where Summer is shorter and winters can be very long. Purchasing plants that meet my zone needs has helped in caring for my garden greatly.

Learning to avoid these mistakes sets you up for gardening success. Remember, everyone makes mistakes though. Garden is trial and error, but once you know what works for you, it can be therapeutic and provide lots of visual interest. Learn from them and adjust, your garden will grow beautifully. Happy Gardening!