These Gardening Secrets Will Take Your Garden to the Next Level

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What’s the secret to a beautiful, flourishing backyard garden?

If you’ve ever tried to start one on your own, you know it’s not as easy as it looks.

Shouldn’t any plant or seed grow effortlessly out of the soil as long as you water it every so often?

Well, not quite. There’s a lot that goes into a garden that lasts—and that actually produces as it should.

So before you plunge headlong into the excitement of planning and planting, take a minute to read these helpful dos and don’ts. You’ll thank us later!

Do: Start with quality soil

When it comes to growing plants, not all dirt yields good results.

If you stick a few seeds in the ground, water them, and hope for the best, you could get lucky if your backyard happens to be blessed with decent soil to begin with.

But if you mean business, there’s no reason to take the chance.

When you’re headed to the garden supply store, grab a few bags of garden soil and compost. You can even go organic or non-organic—whichever you prefer.

Rich, high-quality soil is one of the biggest secrets of a successful crop. It’s packed with plant-loving fertilizer and has the perfect moistened texture.

If you’re container gardening instead of planting directly into the ground, make sure you get soil that is specifically formulated for pots.

Healthy soil is amended with nutrients that provide food for your plants. Your plants will drink up those nutrients with gusto!

Be sure to keep fertilizer and fresh soil on hand for whenever you notice that your plants need a boost. This trick makes a huge difference!

Don’t: Skip the directions

While you’re busy becoming one with nature, don’t forget that some plants have different needs than others.

The plants and seeds you buy come with important information about what time of year they flourish, how tall they grow, and how to care for them properly.

This step is especially important for seeds. Some seeds need to be planted deep under the soil, whereas others should just have a layer of dirt sprinkled on top.

Some need to be spaced several inches apart, and others can be closer together.

For best results, always read the instructions first!

If you want to make things easier, consider starting seedlings and letting them sprout individually before putting them into your garden.

This controlled environment allows seeds to grow healthy and robust when they’re at their most vulnerable stage of development. It’s a recipe for success!

Source:The Old Farmer's Almanac

Do: Just keep weeding

Sometimes, people approach starting a garden like getting a new pet.

You think about all the fresh blooms and produce and the fun of putting in plants … but not as much about the hard work that goes into upkeep.

Once the plants start growing, weeds will sprout—weeds that threaten your plants’ health and turn your garden into a tangled, overgrown mess.

Weeding your garden is almost as important as watering it. If you weed whenever you water, you’ll easily keep everything under control.

While you’re at it, you can keep up with other essential maintenance tasks, such as making sure no critters are stealing your fruits and veggies!

Don’t: Overcrowd your plot

If you came home from your trip to the nursery with a trunkload of things to plant, take a pause before putting them in the ground.

As it turns out, your plants need plenty of space!

They may look tiny now, especially if they’re still seeds. But as they grow, they’ll expand quite a bit, both above and below ground.

If you pack them too close together in the beginning, they’ll quickly get in the way of each other. And as a result, they’re likely to fail.

If you encounter this problem, you can dig them up and space them out as soon as you realize your mistake. But it’s always better to start strong and avoid disturbing the roots.

Source:Gustavo Fring viaPexels

Do: Come prepared

Gardening is a frame of mind.

If you don’t gather what you need before getting your hands in the dirt, you’re asking for unwanted interruptions.

So collect the essentials ahead of time! Use whichever tools make the experience enjoyable for you.

Some prefer kneeling mats to avoid muddy knees.

Gloves and a handy trowel are always a plus, so you can get the best of any weeds you come across—whether soft or stubborn.

If it’s a warm time of day, don’t forget to protect yourself from those UVA/UVB rays by wearing a hat and sunscreen!

Source:Blush and Bar viaInstagram

Finally, think about what you’re wearing. Hint: if it’s something you’d be sad to see get damaged, change into something else!

This includes your fine jewelry, too. Unfortunately, gloves won’t be enough to protect your precious pieces from micro-abrasions, dirt buildup, and general wear-and-tear in the garden.

Even that diamond on your engagement ring can get scratched while you’re tending to your plants.

When you set those luxury pieces aside before you head to your plot, you can exchange them for some chic, affordable jewelry to keep that gardening aesthetic on point!

Affordable pieces like gold vermeil and sterling silver jewelry are high-quality enough to be damage-resistant but inexpensive enough that you don’t have to worry about wear-and-tear.

Conclusion

Growing a healthy garden takes care and consistency. But if you’re up for it, you’ll find yourself enjoying a hobby that’s both rejuvenating and rewarding.

The sunshine and fresh air that comes with it is just a bonus! And it happens to be worth every minute.

If you learned something new from these tips, you’re already one step closer to the plant haven of your dreams. Happy gardening!

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