Care for Your Garden

by Debra Brickwedde 10/13/2019

Gardens can be quite difficult to maintain sometime with so many things that can go wrong. The weather is a primary factor; there will be slugs when it's wet, greenfly when it's dry, frost damage when it's cold and red spider mite when it's hot. So, both expert and novice gardeners can expect problems.

The big difference is that the expert knows what to look for and steps to take when there are garden troubles. Here are some ways to ensure a well-tended garden:

Pruning properly

It is necessary for guaranteeing fruit and flower production, but it is also crucial in the war against pests and diseases. Cut out dead wood. Remove overcrowded branches to provide adequate ventilation. 

Choose wisely when buying plants

Reject soft bulbs, lanky bedding plants, old seeds, unhealthy looking shrubs, and disease-ridden perennials.

Plan carefully

Make sure that the plant is suited to the site. Avoid sun lovers if the shade is a problem, avoid tender plants if the garden is exposed and prone to frost. Rotation of plants is essential for many vegetables so be sure to understand a plant’s nuances before choosing it.

Spray to prevent disease

Fungicides tend to be protectants rather than cures. So you should spray as soon as you see the rust spots. In some cases (e.g., black spot, peach leaf curl) you must spray before visible signs of the disease. 

Remove dead plants, rubbish, and weeds

Rotting plants can often be a source of infection, and some attract pests to the garden. Boxes, old flower pots, etc. are a breeding ground for slugs and woodlice. Weeds rob plants of food, water, light, and space. Hoe or pull them out - take care if you use a weedkiller.

Feed the plants regularly and adequately 

Shortages of nutrients can lead to many problems, weak growth, small blooms, lowered disease resistance and discolored leaves. But take care, overfeeding can cause scorch and unbalanced feeding with too much nitrogen can result in lots of leaves and few flowers.

Prepare the ground thoroughly

A strong-growing plant is more likely to withstand pest or disease attack than a weak specimen. Water logging due to insufficient soil preparation is the underlying cause of failure in heavy soils. Add a humus maker when digging. Remove perennial weed roots. Add suitable chemicals to the earth if pests have gnawed roots elsewhere in the garden. 

Talk to a landscaping company in your area for more gardening tips today.

About the Author
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Debra Brickwedde

Welcome to the Blog site of Debra Brickwedde, your Number 1 Real Estate Professional serving in Falls Church, VA and surrounding areas.