Gardening Problems and Solutions

Problem: water costs for gardens

Solutions:

• Drip irrigation

• Water saving grass/drought tolerant plants

• Mulching

• Collect rainwater and reuse water (Do not reuse if contaminated with chemicals or other dangerous items )

• Planting plants that have similar needs together (Xeriscaping)

• Improve quality of soil, as it hold on to water better

• Remove weeds, as they can soak up a lot of water and nutrients 

Problem: Pests and animals eating crops

Solutions:

• Fencing/netting (especially for vulnerable plants)

• pesticides and repellents (not ideal)

• Raised garden beds

• Planting pest resistant plants

• Companion planting

• Growing resistant varieties

• Natural repellents

• Insects that eat pests or are good for your garden (ladybugs)

• Healthy soil and plants

• Choose plants that have thorns (cacti), plants that are poisonous to animals (daffodils), plants that emit a strong smell (peppermint), or plants that mask the smells of other plants (garlic) 

• Don’t leave food out

• Cover your compost

• Protect new plants