The following contribution is from another author.
A backyard garden is a great way to bring life, vibrancy and colour to your outdoor space. And for the most part, you don’t need a lot to get going. However, for some yards it’s not as simple or even as straightforward as it might initially appear. And the thing is, it’s not always bad luck or a lack of “green fingers” that ruins your results. It’s down to a few avoidable mistakes that often happen before you even start.
Let’s take a look.
Skipping Soil Prep
This is a really common problem people have, and it’s really easy to overlook, especially if you don’t know you need to understand what type of soil you have.
But glossing over this and going right to the planting phase isn’t always going to give you the results you want or need from your new garden.
Poor soil means poor root development, poor drainage and plants that will struggle regardless of how well you water and care for them.
Before you put anything in the ground, test your soil. It’s quick and easy to do with the right soil testing kit. You can then uncover the pH level of the soil, what nutrients are lacking and then amend accordingly. You can add compost here to improve structure, for example, if you have clay soil, and you can boost fertility before you even plant anything.
If you’re starting raised beds, then you need to invest in a quality growing medium rather than filling them with whatever is cheapest. The difference in what you do if you do this will be noticeable fast. If you skip it, you’ve killed your garden before it even starts.
Buying the Wrong Tools
Again, buy cheap, and you’re asking for your results to be subpar. Poorly made tools don’t always deliver the results you need; they bend, break and make everything much harder than it actually needs to be. Not only does this increase frustration during the season, but it can also harm your chances of getting good results in your garden.
Before you buy anything, you need to think about the activities you’ll be doing on a regular basis and buy good quality tools and materials that can withstand the work and the frequency you’ll be using them for. Good quality supplies for gardening, farming and landscaping last for several years without making the physical work difficult. In fact, the right tools can make life so much easier.
Over and Under Watering
Watering is where gardens thrive or die. Overwatering is much more common than underwatering, and there’s a skill in getting it right. It’s not just going out to water every day. You need to think about your soil, the plants themselves, your environment and how you actually water everything.
Getting it wrong can lead to root rot, encourage fungal disease, and you’ll just end up drowning your plant if you’re overwatering.
The best solution to this problem is to set up automatic irrigation. Or to use a soaker hose on a timer to remove guesswork immediately. This way, the plants get watered at the right time, consistently and in the right amount. You don’t need to remember or focus on where you’re watering, and how it’s simply down for you to take one less job off your hands and remove the issue of incorrect watering practices.
