If your plant are n’t growing as well as you ’d hop-skip , here are some simple things you’re able to do to help them look their good .

horticulture can need some test and computer error . If you notice one of your plant is n’t doing well , for example , you might tryreplanting in a unlike spot , grant it a piddling extra water , or adding more nutrients to the dirt . While you might have to try several different manoeuvre to fix the problem , there are a few almost - universal gardening error to debar so you’re able to keep your yard in top shape .

Luckily , mostgarden mistakesare easy enough to correct ; perhaps you need to correct the way you water or change over to instinctive pest control condition method . But if you make indisputable to deflect these vulgar missteps , you ’ll set your plants up for the best winner possible .

garden trowel potting soil glass jar

Credit: Jacob Fox

1. Not Testing Soil

Soil can change from one spot in your yard to another . If you have n’t donea dirt mental test , you have no approximation what kind of nutrients ( or lack thereof ) are in your grime . Without that info , you have no agency of have it away what you may need to add to your soil in order for your plants to thrive . Soil can also change from one growing season to another , so it ’s authoritative to test your garden soil every year or two .

2. Watering the Leaves

Overhead watering is n’t idealistic for a turn of reasons . Not only do you risk wasting body of water as it blows in the wind , but too - pissed leaves also can become a breeding ground forfungi , bacteria , and other disease - causing microbes . think adrip irrigation system or soaker hoseinstead . This agency your plants get the moisture they need from the soil directly at the roots , where they need it most . And by lento birth piddle only to institute root zones , you ’ll cut a lot of water supply wasteland from runoff . Use a timer to schedule your watering in the early daybreak hours before it convey too live and vapor belt along up .

3. Not Adding Compost

salubrious grunge is the keystone to goodish industrial plant , and compost is one of the best way to give your stain a boost . Compost replenishes nutrient that plant life use up while growing . It also helps your grease to hold onto wet better , while at the same time improving its drain .

you could purchase compost from garden centers or you canmake your own at home ; all you need is abin to pile up your yard and kitchen waste . Then , add a 1 - 2 inch wooden-headed layer of compost to your garden beds in spill or spring , right on top of the soil . Rain , earthworms and other grunge creatures will take care of mixing in the compost so there ’s no need for tilling , which can actually damage ground .

4. Using Pesticides Too Much

Aphids and othergarden pestsare a give when you grow plants . But just using poisons to get rid of them is n’t of necessity the best solvent . dependable options for your family unit and the environs include choosing pest- and disease - resistant plants , encouragingbeneficial insectsand shuttle to eat the destructive bugs , removing pests by hand , and using a firm spirt of water supply to bump them off your plants .

The most important matter is to reconnoiter regularly for pests and apportion with them as soon as you spot them , before the problem can get worse . But if plague or disease have already get out of hand and you need to take more drastic action , use less toxic pesticide such as insecticidal soaps andneem crude , or those that are made to handle specific pests rather than wiping out everything in their way .

5. Skipping Mulch

Think of mulch as the insurance policy that protects all of your hard work . Similar to compost , it help oneself your grunge hold back wet ( which meansusing less water in your garden ) , andcertain type of mulchcan add necessary nutrient back to your soil . Plus , impart at least a 3 - in duncish layer of constituent mulch such as tear up barque can helpprevent weeds from sproutingtoo , which mean less body of work for you . Be quick torefresh this layerwith 2 inches or so of fresh mulch yearly as the old mulch easy decomposes .

drip irrigation system with lettuce

Credit: Helen Norman

hands holding organic material for soil

Credit: Marty Baldwin

aphids

Credit: David Speer

placing mulch around base of tree

Credit: Brie Passano