9 Gardening mistakes you must avoid

The fear of harming a plant might stop you from becoming a plant parent. But it is said that "you must fail at gardening to master it." 

But with these tips, you will learn to do the gardening the right way without failing. There are a few common mistakes that you can avoid to prevent your garden from self-sabotaging. 

Gardening may feel intimidating, but if you avoid the following mistakes, especially the 4th one, you will fall in love with the process.

Avoid the following mistakes before embracing your plant parenthood journey.

1.  Beginning your gardening journey without proper research.

It is always better to be proactive than unprepared. You are getting a living thing at your place, and you wouldn't want to harm them. So, whenever you decide to start your gardening journey or get a new variant, remember to research the plants in and around you well.

2. You are starting your journey with high-maintenance plants.

To avoid overwhelming at the beginning, it's always better to get low-maintenance plants. Start your journey with plants that do not require much time, care, and attention. This will make things easier for you and bring a lot of confidence to get a lot more in the future.

Aloe vera is one such plant that needs to be watered once in 2-3 weeks, and you are good to go. Once you become that responsible and conscious plant parent, you can bring home some more plant babies gradually. 

3. Getting non-pet-friendly plants

Only a few people are aware that there are plants (like African violet and Adam and Eve) that are not pet-friendly. If you have a pet or are planning to get one shortly, it becomes your responsibility to create an environment that makes coexistence easier and safer.

Few plants emit toxins that can cause oral infection, swelling, and more in dogs and cats. To save your pet from causing harm, you must know the qualities and characteristics of the plant you bring in.

4. Improper watering

Refrain from assuming that watering equals the amount of love for the plant. Like animals, every plant variant is different, and so are their requirements and needs. The frequency of watering should depend purely on their necessity. Some plants need to be watered daily while others need only once in 2-3 weeks.

The way you water can also affect the growth of the plant. It is essential to water plants in a way where the roots get enough water at the right time to survive.

5. Not analyzing the quality of the soil

Soil is the backbone of your plant. And to make your plant stand tall, you must work well on the backbone. Analyze the soil you will use to see the properties it has and the properties it lacks. This analysis will help you to decide which compost is required in the soil for the plant. 

6. Inappropriate fertilizing

Yes! Fertilizers are suitable for the plant. Anything which crosses the limit becomes harmful, and so are fertilizers. Always check the character of the soil and the plant, and add fertilizers according to their requirements.

7. You need to plan the proper space for your plant.

We understand that you love plants and would want to make a jungle of your own, but it doesn't mean you bring more plants than your place can accommodate. Every plant needs a certain amount of space to grow and flourish. The next time you plan to get a plant home, make sure that you have enough room for all the existing and new plants.

8. Getting a wrong plant

No plant is wrong, but only some plants can survive in some locations. Some plants grow only in cold regions, and some can survive only in hot areas. It is always wise to read about the temperature and humidity a plant requires to survive & grow and analyze the weather of your region before getting one at home. 

9. No pruning or over pruning

Pruning is essential for plants and shrubs to look the best. It needs to be done from time to time. But doing it a lot or not pruning at all may harm the plant in the long run. Always use the right pruning tools to get the right results.

Now that you are aware of all the common mistakes people usually commit, you are set to start your beautiful journey of becoming a responsible plant parent. 

We wish that you fall in love with the planting process and contribute for a better environment and world.