The following contribution is from another author.
If you’re someone who likes to spend time in the garden, it’s likely your pride and joy – a space you could never do without. This makes a lot of sense. There’s something inherently satisfying about things that grow, and it’s been proven multiple times that spending time in nature can significantly improve mental well-being and mental health outcomes.
That said, maintaining a garden can be a tremendous amount of work. It takes a lot of effort to keep things looking nice, and there are several major issues that can derail your little oasis.
In this article, we’re going to explore six of the most common garden issues and how to fix them, so that you can be prepared for every eventuality.
1) Yellowing Leaves
You might not consider yellowing leaves as a disaster, but in reality, you’d be surprised at the disruption they indicate.
This is a problem also known as chlorosis, and it’s usually a sign of a problem with the soil or the nutrients within. It could manifest from anything, whether it’s severe nutrient deficiencies or the fact that you’re simply overwatering and need to cut back a bit.
It’s always important to address it promptly and be on the lookout for the initial signs, which are wilting and yellowing from the edges (it also sometimes presents in a speckled fashion). The problem will begin in a small area, so it’s often difficult to spot at first. You’ll have to be vigilant to catch it before it spreads, so be sure to check the leaves of each plant as part of your weekly look around.
As stated above, one of the most common causes is simply overwatering the plants, so consider this first. Let the soil dry out a bit and see if things improve. There can also be drainage issues, in which case adding compost or sand can be a simple fix. As always, check the pH level of the soil, as an imbalance here can result in blocked nutrient absorption.
2) Fallen Trees
One of the most shocking disasters that can happen in your garden is one of your trees falling during a storm or bad weather. Not only can this be very upsetting, but it can also cause a lot of damage to any structures, plants, or other trees nearby.
Safety is a top priority here, so you don’t want to try to remove the tree yourself. As soon as you spot the issue, call a professional storm damage service to come and assess the situation. Given the gravity of the problem, these sorts of companies are always fast-acting, and they’ll use a range of highly specialized equipment to safely remove the fallen tree without damaging anything else (something you almost certainly couldn’t do yourself).
3) Overnight Pest Invasion
Something that strikes fear into the hearts of all gardeners is the idea of pests, and unfortunately, there are cases where pest invasions seem to occur overnight, making for a nasty shock when you go to take a look at your plants in the morning.
If this is an issue for you, you’ll be able to physically see the pests upon inspection, alongside chewed leaves and damaged plants. Caterpillars and slugs are the main offenders, though aphids and even spiders can also be problematic.
You don’t want to use any chemicals, as these can severely damage your plants. Instead, identify what pests are causing the problem, and then use the natural predators for that species to do the work for you (you can buy them in boxes or tubes). You can also apply neem oil to your plants, which is highly effective in most cases.
4) Lawn Burn
If you’ve spent a lot of time getting your lawn to the level that it’s the envy of all your friends, you’ll be very disappointed to wake up one morning and see that the hot summer sun has singed it bare and brown.
Once this has occurred, you can directly recede the most burnt areas and then give a deep watering. Not only will this help the grass grow back stronger, but it’ll serve as a kind of primer for the plant to protect it from the heat of subsequent summer mornings.
Thankfully, once the temperatures drop back down, your grass should spring back without any extra work needing to be completed.
5) Fungal Diseases
Fungal diseases are a fair amount less common than other garden issues in this list, but they do occur, and when they do, they can be quite devastating if not remedied quickly.
You’ll notice a fungal disease by distinct black spots on the leaves, and the problem usually happens in the first place because of humid conditions (plants getting hidden amongst other foliage and then left to sweat in the summer sun).
To fix, remove the infected leaves and try your best to improve any overcrowding around the plants to promote better airflow. If the issue is extensive and doesn’t resolve, you can apply a fungicide to fully sort it.
6) Overcrowded Plants
Irrespective of the fungal issue described above, overcrowded plants are a problem in general. It’s natural for different species to compete for airflow and sunlight, causing them to bend and weave in and out of each other, creating thick, dense foliage where none of them ultimately has space to breathe.
When planting, try to do so with overcrowding in mind. Planning before you plant can help a lot here, even if it’s just a quick sketch. While it might seem like overkill at first, the results will speak for themselves. It’s also key to maintain everything with a good pruning regimen, as even if you place your plants perfectly, they’ll always get tangled eventually if you don’t give them the care they need.
Wrapping Up
You should now feel you have a better understanding of these six common issues and how to go about rectifying them. Hopefully, you’ll never have to deal with any of them, but if you do, you’re now armed with the knowledge necessary to prevent them from ruining your hard work.
