Gardening 101

8 tips to help beginning gardeners be successful

Gardening by the Yard : Episode GBY-1011 -- More Projects » (Continued from Page 1)
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Mulch suppresses weeds, moderates soil temperature, conserves moisture and, as it breaks down, improves the soil.
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To reduce the likelihood of spreading disease, try to water the base of the plant rather than the foliage.
4. Mulch. Mulch suppresses weed growth, maintains soil moisture, stabilizes soil temperatures and much more.

So do yourself a favor: mulch everything in sight with whatever organic mulch you like.

5. Water properly. Don't water frequently for only brief periods of time. Doing so causes plant roots to hover near the soil surface. Instead, deep soak each time you water to encourage roots to grow deep down into the soil. And to the extent that you're able, water early in the morning so plant leaves have a chance to dry during the day. That will help minimize fungal diseases.

6. Go native.. I'm not a native-plant fanatic, but there's no getting around the fact that native plants tend to be easier to grow, have fewer pest and disease problems and require less supplemental watering. As a result, if you grow a lot of native plants, you'll develop more confidence with fewer hassles.

However, there are hundreds of non-native plants that are well adapted to various areas of the country and are easy to grow. Many others, however, are notorious for pest and disease problems or require special care. To learn more about native versus non-native plants in your area, visit your favorite nursery or contact your local master gardener's group.

7. Minimize Maintenance. "Every suggestion I've made so far--from starting small to going native--will reduce the amount of time you have to spend in the garden. But there are two more I'd like to highlight:"

  • Cut back on fertilizers
  • Prune only when necessary

    "Fertilizing and pruning cause plants to produce tender, succulent growth, which is what bugs prefer most," James says. "Besides, who says that plants should be forced to grow faster than their normal growth rate, or that plants should be pruned in some fashion other than the way nature intended them to grow? Well actually, a lot of people believe that, but I'm not one of them."

    • 8. Visit the garden regularly. If you'll spend just 10 minutes a day wandering around your lawn and garden--say, early in the morning with a cup of coffee or right after work-- you'll form an invaluable bond with everything that grows. And along the way, you might stop and pull a few weeds, spot a plant in need of water, realize that slugs or aphids are on the move, and so on.

    By dealing with those little things each day, you won't be so overwhelmed by the time the weekend rolls around. In fact, you may discover that by tending to your garden daily but briefly, you'll have time for alternative weekend activities.

    Also in this Episode
    Gardening by the Yard : Episode GBY-1011
    •Gardening 101
    •Coping With a Fallen Tree
    •After the Fall: Damage Assessment