With a wealth of content available across the internet telling gardeners what they should be doing in their garden, it can be difficult to know what advice is right, especially for those who are beginners to the world of gardening. Luckily, Paul Hicks, product marketing manager at STIHL has shared some of the most common gardening mistakes people make, and how they can be avoided.
1. Overwatering plants
While it is basic knowledge that plants, like everything else on the planet, need water to survive, if it is given too much water, it “risks drowning”.
Paul said: “Excess water can also weaken the plant and make it wilt easily.” To avoid this, gardeners are urged to “always do their research”.
The expert instructed: “Look up how much water your plant needs, taking into account light and soil type too. Some plants only need to be watered once a week or so, whereas others will need daily watering, particularly if it’s hot.
“Also, be sure to buy plant pots with drainage holes at the base, otherwise the water will completely saturate the soil, and your plants will suffer.”
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2. Being best friends with pesticides
The gardening pro urged that pesticides “are not the answer to keeping plants healthy” that many people think they are.
Whilst it is true that they will keep the plants safe from insects, this can also be “detrimental to the health of the plant”, warned Paul.
He explained: “In simple terms, it’s because pesticides don’t discriminate. So while they will keep slugs and snails at bay, they will also discourage butterflies and bees.
“This means that the plant won’t be pollinated, and could suffer in the long run.”
If gardeners need to protect their plants, try using physical barriers like a wire fence. If they must use pesticide, be sure they use it “sparingly”.
3. Buying in bloom
When going to the garden centre or supermarket looking for new flowers for the garden, Paul recommends ignoring the ones that are in full bloom.
He said: “If you buy food from the supermarket with the longest use-by date, it gives you more time to enjoy the product before it spoils. The same principle applies to flowers.
“If they’re already in full bloom, it won’t be long before they are killed off.
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“Look for young plants that are yet to bloom with healthy looking leaves and stems and plump buds. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy the flowers for much longer.”
4. Borders bursting with plants
Like humans, garden plants need their space. When planting in beds and borders, be sure to leave ample space between the seeds or plants.
Paul warned: “Putting them close together will leave them fighting over water, light, space and nutrition, and they will all suffer as a result.
“To get your plants to grow strong, be sure to space them out to ensure that they aren’t fighting for space.”
5. Pruning too much off of bushes
When growing hedges and bushes, there is an urge to cut the plants into the desired shape very early on in their life. Try to resist this urge.
Without giving the plant time to grow properly, gardeners risk “severely weakening it”. Be sure to give it ample time to grow before starting to shape it.
When gardeners do begin to shape and prune their hedges and bushes, “take only a thin layer off each time”, instructed the expert.
He said: “This is the same principle as cutting grass, as taking too much off in one go risks shocking the plant and exposes it to frost damage and rough growth.”
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May 06, 2023 at 02:00PM
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‘Detrimental’ gardening mistakes to avoid that ‘severely weaken’ and ‘kill’ your plants - Express
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