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While there are many people who take pride in their gardens, many people who own an outdoor space find the prospect of taking up gardening a little daunting.
With Easter just around the corner, the days getting longer and the temperatures rising, many Brits will soon be venturing out into their gardens and trying to start sprucing them up.
Of course, for amateur gardeners trying this hobby for the first time, it is natural that mistakes will be made.
But fear not, experts have revealed some of the common mistakes people make when they start gardening and how to avoid them.
A garden with plants and flowers of various colors in the sun under the blue sky (file image)
1. Too many plants at once
When it comes to flower beds, it can be tempting to fill an area with many different, colorful shrubs.
However, according to one expert, the “less is more” philosophy is key.
Garden designer Lee Burkhill explained on his blog: garden ninjathat planting too many plants in small spaces leaves them “competing for resources,” which is detrimental to their long-term growth.
It means they will need excessive watering and eventually it is unlikely that they will all survive.
2. Planting in the wrong soil
Gardening guru Alan Titchmarsh has previously revealed the importance of using the right type of soil for planting shrubs.
Speaking to YOU ​​magazine in 2021, he said: ‘For most people, land is just land. But for plants, it’s life or death.
‘Whether you garden on clay, sand or chalk, this affects what will grow well.
“And unless you’re lucky and have naturally good terrain, you’re probably going to have to improve yours.”
He explained that the best type of soil for planting is loam, which he described as “dark brown soil that contains a good mix of everything.”
On his blog, Lee also noted the importance of knowing your soil and knowing which plants do best in each type.
3. Not considering sunlight
Beautiful blue flowers subject to rot after improper care (stock image)
Some gardens receive more sun than others and, according to Lee, this is an important consideration when choosing shrubs.
While all plants need some sunlight to grow and photosynthesize, he explained that some shrubs can do better without it.
Lee recommends getting to know your garden to understand which areas enjoy more sunlight than others, so you can understand which plants will do best in different areas.
If your garden is dark, for example, you should choose plants that can tolerate less sun exposure.
He even recommends drawing a sketch of where the sun and shadows move in your garden to aid your understanding.
4. Planting at the wrong time of year
If you plant too early in the year, your bushes may have difficulty growing due to lack of light and heat.
Likewise, sowing certain seeds too late in the year, such as fruits, may not give the best results.
Lee recommends checking seed packets before propagating them, to make sure you do so at the best time of year for them to thrive.
5. Inadequate nutrition
A young woman’s hand showing a damaged and unprotected tomato plant after a cold morning in a greenhouse (stock image)
When you try to grow fruits and vegetables, you must take special care to nourish them.
The best time to feed tomatoes, potatoes or squash, for example, is in early summer, when they are about to bear fruit. Lee explains that plants that produce food need to feed more.
In contrast, herbaceous perennials, such as verbenas, require much less nutrition and, in some cases, may only need to be mulched every two years.
6. Plant away from water or tap
Planting an impressive selection of shrubs is one thing, but maintaining them is another entirely.
Lee explains that it is important to ensure you have a sufficient water supply when it comes to replenishing your garden.
If you have a large garden but only one outdoor tap, it could take a long time to water everything.
That is why the expert recommends installing water tanks around the garden, perhaps next to a shed.
7. Lack of harvest season
As summer comes to a close and people enjoy the last of the sun, new gardeners can be forgiven for forgetting that it’s actually harvest season.
Before you know it, your plants that are ripe for harvest may go bad, leading to disappointment after all the hard work you’ve put in.
Lee recommends setting a simple reminder on your phone to make sure you don’t miss the opportunity.
8. Do not create paths
Many novice gardeners forget to put in some paths or ways to get around the garden when designing their lawn.
Lee revealed that people sometimes fall into the trap of filling their space with flowers, fruits and vegetables, before realizing that they don’t actually have a route to the beds to water them.
The gardener recommended planning access points such as 1m wide paths, especially if you have raised beds.
9. Use of pesticides
Woman spraying plants with a water sprayer (file image)
When you’ve put time and effort into perfecting your garden, the last thing you want is for pests to ruin it.
But before turning to herbicides and pesticides, Lee recommends considering natural alternatives that are less harmful to your plants.
There are almost always natural alternatives to these chemical concoctions, he explains.
10. Irregular watering
British home decor magazine. Living, etc. revealed that one of the most common mistakes new gardeners make is not watering their plants enough.
Chris Bonnett, founder of Gardening Express, told the publication: ‘Over, under or inconsistent watering can stress crops and affect their growth.
‘To overcome this, create a watering schedule based on the needs of your vegetables. Use mulch to retain moisture in the soil and reduce evaporation.
New York landscaper Kat Aul Cervoni also recommends looking into drip irrigation systems if you can afford them.