Creating a garden is more than just putting plants in the ground. Whether producing flowers, foliage or fruits and vegetables, a garden relies on several factors coming together in harmony in order to thrive. From proper planning and care to insect and disease prevention, below are five tips to ensure your garden remains productive and healthy year after year.
1. New Plants: Choose Wisely
When selecting new plants it is important to give them a thorough inspection from top to bottom so as not to introduce pests or disease into an otherwise healthy garden. In addition to looking for signs of insect activity and disease, the foliage should be undamaged and robust and the roots should be visibly abundant on the root ball. Avoid plants with dark, limp-looking roots.
Disease-Resistant Plants
Another way to achieve a healthy garden is by choosing plants bred with resistance to certain diseases. Research plant varieties to learn which have disease tolerances and what they guard against.
2. A Place For Everything
Proper plant placement is crucial, not only in regards to sun exposure but also in relation to spacing.
Sun Exposure
Plants are products of evolution, meaning they have adapted over time to specific environmental conditions, such as full sun, partial shade, etc. Be sure to site plants according to their specified needs. Improper sun exposure can induce stress, a condition comparable to a compromised immune system. Plants under stress are more susceptible to disease, even those classified as disease-resistant.
Spacing
Overcrowding is a common pitfall, but one easily avoided. Too many plants in a confined space cause adjacent plants to compete for soil nutrients, water and sun exposure. It also reduces airflow and raises the humidity, potentially leading to the growth of mildews and rusts. Proper spacing gives plants room to grow and can reduce disease transmission from plant to plant, keeping infected leaves from coming into contact with healthy ones.
3. Proper Nutrition and Hydration: A Balancing Act
Whether animal or vegetable, all biological organisms require proper nutrition and hydration in order to thrive. This is also a balancing act as too much or too little of either can have disastrous consequences.
Fertilizer
Properly fed plants are stronger and more able to fight off disease, but there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Over-fertilization may lead to root burning and too much of a certain nutrient can cause an overdose. When in doubt, it is best to have the soil tested in order to accurately gauge nutrient levels. This allows you to tailor fertilizer applications based on your garden’s specific needs.
Water
The key to proper hydration is providing just what the plants need. Too much or too little can tip the scales of plant health. Waterlogged soil can cause fungal growth leading to root rot, while water resting on foliage can also foster pathogens, nourishing them right along with the plants.
A Word About Composting
When applying compost, it is important to fully complete the composting process in order to eliminate any pathogens. The heat generated during the composting process should kill off any biological contaminants present in plant debris, but only if fully completed.
4. Invasionary Forces: Remain Vigilant and Act Quickly
Insects and small animals can wreak havoc on a garden if not properly dealt with quickly. Pest activity causes visual damage and creates possible entry points for biological pathogens, somewhat like wounds that can become infected. Some insects also act as carriers for bacteria and viruses, trailing pathogens behind them in their wake.
Familiarize yourself with the “usual suspects” such as aphids, thrips, leafhoppers and beetles. Learn to identify not only the insects themselves but also their eggs and the damage they are known to cause. Once identified, act immediately to quell the population before it spreads.
Anti Insect Nets
One way to combat infestations is by employing anti insect nets, also referred to as garden fabric or mesh. They control the insect population by creating a protective barrier and are particularly useful in fruit and vegetable gardens.
5. Perform Consistent Maintenance
Gardens are not a set-it-and-forget-it proposition. Proper and consistent maintenance is a must to achieve a thriving garden.
Weeding
Weeds are quite like parasites, acting as tapeworms for garden plants. They rob needed nutrients and hydration. They can also cause overcrowding and can carry microbial invaders.
Proper and complete weed removal is paramount. Any leftover debris can come back to haunt you in the form of regrowth or disease. Invest in a quality weed ripper tool. A weed ripper is designed to reach deep roots and minimize shedding foliage caused by hand-pulling.
Fall Cleanup
Diseases and pathogens may have the capacity to overwinter, meaning they can survive the freeze-thaw cycle and emerge the following spring. Minimize the chance of this happening by removing pathogen-harboring leaf litter and debris.
Author Bio: Joon is a Fashion enthusiast & content writer at runspree.com. He started his career as a blogger and loves exploring and keeping himself and his reader updated with the latest trends in beauty, fashion, gadgets, home and so on.