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The 6 Most Common Flower Gardening Mistakes And How To Fix Them
The 6 Most Common Flower Gardening Mistakes And How To Fix Them
Anyone who takes up gardening will tell you that it is among the most wonderful pursuits in their lives!
Think about it, is there anything better than putting your hands in the soil and watching life thrive right in your yard?
But if your precious buds aren't growing into lush blooms, then you may be disregarding a few essential factors that are key to growing a full, gorgeous garden.
Don't worry; even the most experienced gardeners slip up in ways they don't even realize.
Let's explore six of the most common mistakes people make in flower gardening. But we won't stop at the challenges. We'll look at six simple fixes you can do to remedy them!
Interested in a formal course? Want to get certified as a gardening pro? Look into organizations offering classes in gardening and floristry, like:
National Gardening Organization
American Floral Endowment
American Horticultural Society
Out-of-season planting
Many flower lovers take the relevance of seasons for granted. For example, it's easy to get excited planting spring flowers early as soon as winter begins to clear.
But if you don't have a greenhouse, there's a good chance they'll get exposed to frost from spring thaw. This could wreak havoc on-- or worse, even kill-- those gentle buds.
On the flip side, planting spring flowers too late leaves them open to rising heat. This could prevent their growth and keep them from flowering.
How to fix it
Follow a flower calendar that corresponds to your location. Stick to it and plant flowers at the recommended times.
Don't hesitate to ask fellow gardeners about the correct time to plant certain flowers in your area. You can also contact your local extension service for queries about weather issues and gardening tips.
Too much or too little watering
Most gardeners love to water their plants. It's a regular practice that helps you feel connected to your plants. It also presents the opportunity for you to assess if they have any issues or diseases.
But your act of love could be damaging to them! Over-watering your plants keeps them from having the capacity to access oxygen, which in basic terms means they're drowning. It also causes root rot, stunted growth, and other health issues.
Under-watering can also be a huge concern! Certain blooms need water that go down deeper into the roots. Indicators of under-watering include slow growth, and falling leaves or buds.
How to fix it
Look up the specific watering needs of each plant you have. Blooms like yarrows, lavenders, lantanas, and russian sages don't need a ton of water. By contrast, cannas, elephant's ears, callas, and turtleheads, totally love wet feet.
To make things easier for you, group the plants with the same needs together. This also lowers your chances of over- or under-watering your flowers.
If you only have a tiny garden or a few plants, hand watering is undoubtedly the way to go. But if you have plants that need a lot of water, an irrigation system may be a huge help for watering deeper! This would encourage better growth with a lot less hassle for you.
Not paying enough attention to soil issues
Every gardener's slogan should be: care for your soil! It's the base of any plant's health and growth, so it also calls for a lot of treatment and upkeep.
When soil is rocky and poor in quality, it can have serious repercussions on how successfully your flowers flourish. One other factor to look into is whether the soil in your garden is suited for the variety of blooms you want to grow.
How to fix it
Testing your soil is the very first step. Soil tests will give you vital data on its pH level and nutritional composition. It helps you identify nutrient deficiencies. It also lets you find out whether your soil is compatible with the flower types of your choice.
You can do this by getting in touch with your trusted nursery or sending it off to a lab. There are also home kits available for soil testing.
The next step is to get your soil healthier. One of the easiest ways to do this is by composting!
Compost is organic material that produces healthy soil by improving its texture and packing it with nutrients.
You can buy compost, but it's very easy to make at home! Compost is usually made up of leaves, clippings, manure, hay, straw, and other organic matter. Take note of the right composting techniques and soil-to-compost ratios for particular buds.
Planting in the wrong spot
Just like in real estate, "location, location, location" is the trick to flower gardening! Your flowers' growth, health, and bloom depend a lot on where you place them.
Providing too much or too little sunlight can bring about pest infestations, heat damage, health issues, and other unpleasant effects.
Another problem is falling for an out-of-state plant and getting it, only to learn that it just won't thrive in your hometown's environment!
How to fix it
If you're unsure about the amount of light your plant needs, visit your local nursery and see where it's planted. Sun-loving plants might be in much brighter sections than those that favor shade.
Figure out the amount of light your plant needs and, when possible, how much light your home is facing. It can help you put your plants in the best possible area where they'll get the correct amount of light they need.
As tempting as it is, try to avoid buying plants that aren't within your vicinity. Get in touch with local gardening experts about the flowers that grow best in your local area. You can also check out your local botanical gardens for ideas on what other plants you can grow.
Wrong pruning techniques
Pruning is among the most vital things your blooming buds need. They keep flowers free from dead or diseased branches and encourage them to bloom healthily and perfectly.
But this particular gardening task can be tough. This is why some gardeners often take on the wrong techniques!
The first is pruning too hard. Some flowering plants produce flowers on old branches or have inactive buds that bloom much later. Cutting all old branches off won't allow them to bloom well.
Next is pruning prematurely. Flowering plants that open late in their growing season should be trimmed when they go into dormancy. If you prune too early, they may yield new shoots that are susceptible to frost damage.
Last on the list is not pruning enough. It's essential to prune dead branches. They suck up all the energy from your plant, which can influence its health and bloom production.
How to fix it
Study the blooming pattern of your plant and create a pruning timetable based on what you find out. If you have several blooming plants or shrubs, this timetable will likely vary according to their specific needs.
Take time to learn about and use the right pruning techniques for every plant you have!
Giving up easily
There may be days when you'll wonder if it's time to nip your gardening dreams in the bud. When you keep spotting lifeless or wilting flowers in your browning backyard, it can get pretty discouraging.
How to fix it
Remember what entices you to gardening in the first place. Whether it's the physical activity, the quiet time, the stress relief, or all the above, there's a reason why you keep doing it. Going back to square one is part of the process that gives you those positive experiences.
Keep trying and keep studying! It doesn't always go right, but when it does, it'll be worth it! With patience, dedication, and care, you can achieve the garden of your dreams over time.
Florist Exton PA
Florist Exton PA
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Flowers Exton PA
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