By the time spring arrives, gardeners are eager to get outside and begin a new season. Everyone looks forward to warm weather, beautiful flowers, and the sprouts of a bountiful vegetable harvest. However, in our eagerness to get out there and play in the dirt, it is easy to make some simple mistakes. But don’t worry, this article will give you the advice you need to avoid and correct any early spring garden mistakes so you can start out this season on the right foot.
Mistake #1 Planting Too Early
Unfortunately, cold weather doesn’t vanish right away just because the calendar says winter is over. Wind, rain, and low temperatures can persist well into spring which can make it tough for new plants to thrive, especially any heat-loving ones.
Solution #1 Monitor Frost Dates
It may feel warm, but we all know how temperamental Mother Nature can be. Don’t base your garden planning strictly on the outdoor temperatures. Instead, check the National Weather Service for frost dates in your zone and wait to plant until the last frost date has passed. Generally, you should be able to safely plant new seedlings in most areas by Mother’s Day, the second weekend of May.
Mistake #2 Working with Wet Soil
April showers bring May flowers right? Well… this is true to a certain extent, but there can be too much of a good thing. Tilling wet soil can damage the structure of the soil because the wet soil will clump together and then when it drives it will form bricks of dirt that are difficult to dig through. Water closes the air pockets in soil that is necessary for healthy plants to grow.
Solution #2 Inspect Your Soil
Scoop up a handful of soil before you begin to plant. Squeeze the soil in your hand. Are the drips of water running between your fingers? If so, your soil is still too wet. You’ll know your soil is ready when you can scoop up a handful in your hands and there is just enough moisture to hold together a clump of soil, but there is no excess water running off when you squeeze it. The soil should be crumbly enough to allow for air pockets for your plants. Waiting is always hard, but it will certainly pay off later in the year!
If you want to avoid tilling the soil altogether, consider using a garden bed. This allows you to select the right soil for whatever plants you plan to grow.
Mistake #3 Using Your Lawn's "Mystery Soil"
Speaking of choosing the right soil, once the soil is dry enough to till, it is important to make sure your dirt is ready for new crops. Simply planting seeds in the ground as soon as the soil is warm and dry is a mistake many beginning gardeners make. Each plant requires specific nutrients and your soil might be underprepared for your new flowers or vegetables.
Solution #3 Test Your Soil
Before planting, test your soil’s PH levels. Ideally, your garden’s soil should be between 6.0 and 7.0. You can test your soil with a digital meter or home testing kit. There are also DIY testing methods. First, collect two cups of soil to use as samples. Mix half a cup of distilled water and half a cup of baking soda in one cup of soil. If it fizzes, your soil is acidic. Take the other cup of soil and mix it with distilled water and vinegar. If it fizzes, the soil is alkaline. If your soil is too acidic for what you want to grow, add lime to the soil. If your soil is too alkaline for what you want to grow, add sulfur or organic items like pine needles, old leaves, or compost.
Mistake #4 Exposing Houseplants to Outdoor Conditions
If any of your plants have been wintering in a planter in your living room, returning it directly to cool weather can be a bit of a shock for the plant. Even if they originally came from your backyard, they have grown accustomed to warm temperatures indoors and have managed to avoid direct sunlight, wind and rain. Returning to all of this all at once can be too much and cause your plant to die.
Solution #4 Harden Your Plant
Before returning your plant to its native soil, you must go through a process called “hardening”. This will help your plant acclimate to outdoor weather conditions. Hardening requires you to gradually expose your plants to the elements. Leave your plants outdoors for short periods at a time or place them in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are sturdy enough to thrive outdoors.
Mistake #5 Not Labeling Plants
In order to grow healthy plants, you need to regularly water them and provide the fertilizer and soil amendments they need. This is easy when you walk by the plants and see them everyday. However, this is tougher in the early days when the seeds are safely buried underground. It’s easy to accidentally forget about these plants or lose track of where in the garden you planted them. Plus, many flowers and plants look very similar as they begin to sprout and it’s easy to mix up different species.
Solution #5 Add Plant Markers or Stakes
There are a number of fun and creative ways to label your plants. For a simple and utilitarian solution, simply write the plant names on a label and stick it to a wooden or plastic stake. If you’re feeling creative, use paints or markers to color stone with the plant pictures or labels. Other household items like utensils, old planters, corks, or mason jar lids can also be used to make fun and colorful plant labels. Just make sure whatever materials you use are durable enough to be used outdoors!
Mistake #6 Planting Too Much
We get it. You’re excited. You’ve waited all winter for this after all. But there are some negative side effects to planting too much, too soon. Placing too many plants in a single space forces them to compete for nutrients and proper airflow as well as make them more susceptible to plant disease. Plus, if you are growing vegetables you might wind up with more cucumbers, radishes, or lettuce than you initially bargained for.
Solution #7 Plan Ahead
If you have the itch to garden, but there’s still frost in the forecast, now is the perfect time to plan for the rest of the year. This gives you a clear idea of what plants you want to grow, where you want to plant them, and what you need to do to provide a healthy garden where your plants can thrive. This will help you manage your future workload and ensure the overall health of your flowers and vegetables.
Whether you’re beginning the planning stages or ready to get out there and start planting, these convenient tips will help you avoid a number of mishaps and enjoy your garden all season long!
For more gardening tips, check out our gardening articles on our Bright Ideas blog.
