What I Learned from Gardening for Years – Mistakes To Avoid!

When you are a new gardener there are a lot of things to learn. Luckily, my experiences allow me to share what I know with you so you do not make the same mistakes!

What not to do

• Do Not Over-water – Overwatering is the leading cause of death for plants, especially from new gardeners! Over-watering your plants can cause root-rot, infections, and creates a perfect environment for pests.
• Do Not Use Pots Without Drainage Holes – While you are still learning the ins and outs of plant care using a pot without drainage holes (no matter how pretty) is a bad idea, it will likley make it more difficult to keep your plants alive!
• Do Not Pay Too Much Attention – Focusing on your plants too much can cause stress and worry, making your fun hobby much less enjoyable! Instead of constantly looking for new growth or expecting perfection, take some time to breathe and remember the things you have learned instead.

Instead, try this!

• Do Your Research! – Taking the time to learn about the plants you have, and the environemnt they need is very important; light needs, watering needs, and size are just some of the things to consider when caring for your plant.
• Stay calm – Getting stressed and overwhelemed is only going to take the fun out of your gardening experience, take each problem you face one step at a time.
• Start with cheap plants – This does NOT mean buy plants at big box stores, those often have pests and may not be potted properly. What this does mean, is do not start with the rare and expensive plants, take your time at your local plant store, and get the common and inexpensive plants. The reason for this is that it will give you time to learn about gardening, without spending more than you need on a plant that might die.

Remember to have fun with your experience, everyone’s journey will be different and you need to find your way through yours! One of the first things you want to get right is your watering schedule, for my tips on how to get it right see my article How To Create A Watering Schedule – Finding One That works For You.