10 Gardening Tips Perfect For Improving Your Green Thumb
With so many people stuck at home for long periods of time, now is the perfect time to grow yourself a green thumb and get into some gardening. Whether you’re more of an indoor gardener and are sticking to smaller, potted plants, or you have an entire garden of space waiting to become vibrant and green, here are some important tips to help you grow your new plant companions. Even if you’re just looking for some helpful information before you get into gardening, these gardening tips will help you learn just how to make sure your greenery can thrive.
1) Watering and Drainage
One of the things you will need to provide your plants with consistently is water. All plants need a regular supply of water, but some plants need more than others, and some need to be watered more often than others. The basic knowledge you need to know is how much water your plant needs. A good gardening tip is that, while you do need to water your plants regularly, underwatering them is better than overwatering them. Overwatering can be much more deadly for plants that can’t handle certain amounts of water, and it permanently damages them. On the other hand, some plants can wilt a little bit without dying completely. Another factor that needs to be kept in mind is drainage– some plants need any excess water to drain away, otherwise it might just sit there and become stagnant.
2) Sunlight
Another fundamental of gardening is sunlight. Again, every plants needs sunlight, but some require direct, strong sunlight, while others require reflected, indirect light sources. It is possible for your plants to get too much light, and in those circumstance, there are some signs you can look for to tell. Thin leaves that have a lighter, bleached color– these leaves are recieving too much light, and their water supply evaporates in the heat. On the other hand, thick, waxy leaves that are dark green are leaves that aren’t recieving enough light. Depending on your enviroment, you may need to more plants around to get the proper amount of light required.
3) Your Plants’ Schedule
Every species of plant is unique, and that means they have their own individual requirements for proper growth. When you pick out a new plant, make sure you learn how frequently they need watering and fertilizer. Some plants may require you to take care of them weekly, or even daily. Others can be left alone for months at a time without any real effect. If you aren’t up to watering a plant weekly, then be fair to both yourself and your plants and pick something that fits your schedule.
4) Soil Choice
One gardening tip often forgotten is the choice of soil for your plants. Some people may think dirt is dirt, or that a plant can grow anywhere if it’s given enough fertilizer, but these just aren’t true. Choosing a good, nutrient rich soil can make all the difference in your garden. Fertilizer can’t make dry, unusable soil any better. Instead, take the time to find soil that supports plantlife. Good soil can even have affects beyond your plants alone. Choosing the perfect soil can make your plants grow so healthy that they don’t require insecticide or other chemicals to keep away unwanted attention.
5) Know Your Atmosphere
Whether it’s indoors or in a garden out back, you should be very aware of your locations where you choose to grow your plants. As previously mentioned, plants need specific soil, water, and light levels, but beyond those, plants need a general atmosphere and climate. Pansies grow naturally in cold, winter-like climates, while hibiscus are excellent in the heat and light. Pick plants that suite your atmosphere well, because otherwise, your attempts at gardening will be over before you even begin.
6) Companion Planting
Companion planting is the act of growing specific plants in close proximety to one another. This gardening tip can be instrumental in your plant’s wellbeing. By growing two plants in the same area, you can increase a great deal of traits naturally. Companion planting can help limit pests, increase pollination, increase their general productivity, and many other things. Not only can companion planting accomplish these factors, but it makes for a more economical use of your space. Try learning about good companions for your greenery for a relationship that is mutually beneficial.
7) Compost
Save your kitchen compost, since it’s a great source of nutrients for plants. What you’ll want to do is mix your compositing with the top layer of dirt, making this layer about an inch deep. In a few weeks, your plants should be growing strong and healthily. You should use your compost every few weeeks, since it does take time to break down into the soil and be collected by the roots of your garden. Eggshells, broken into smaller shards, are a great source of protein, so you can make good use of all your food sources and donate them to your garden.
8) Insect Repellents
If you find that insects provide a consistent pest problem for you and your garden, there are some specific plants that are great for getting them out of your garden. Try growing garlic, onions, chives, and chysanthemums in your gardens. Plant these on the edges of your garden, and these hardy plants should protect the rest from those obnoxious bugs.
9) Deadheading
This gardening trick is great for flowers. Flowering plants spend a great deal of energy on their flowers, since they are their method of pollenation and thus reproduction. But if a flower is wilting or dying, the flower still uses its resources to keep that flower as functional as possible. It’s actually better for the plant’s wellbeing if you cut off that flower. The flower should regrow healthier than before. You can even save your wilted flowers and put them in a vase or grow them with another plant, and the wilted flower may even recover!
10) Your Plants and Their Tells
Plants have unique signs and tells when they need something. Some plants will wilt, droop, face different directions, or even grow differently when they need more resources like sunlight or water. Pay attention to your plants and take notice when something changes. As long as you know your garden and what it needs, it is easy to take care of your plants.
What plants are you looking forward to growing? Let us know how your garden is turning out in the comments!
