10 Gardening Habits That Actually Do More Harm Than Good

Gardening is this unbelievable saltation between patience , knowledge , and a scattering of intuition — and sometimes our best intentions trip out us up ! I ’ve certainly been guilty of come after a “ prescript book ” that ended up backfiring , like over - mulching or pruning at the wrong mo . It ’s such a bummer when your efforts leave plant worse off than when you take off . In this article , we ’ll search ten well - meaning use that can undermine your garden ’s health , so you’re able to swap them out for practice that truly nurture your green Friend .

Whether you ’re grow native prairie wildflowers or alien ornamentals , sympathize why sure habits backfire is the first step to a booming plot . I know how frustrating it is to see leggy seedling or yellow leaves despite your tutelage . Let ’s plunge into these coarse pitfalls — complete with plant life line note and invasiveness warnings — so you could garden smarter and bask more blooms and bountiful harvests !

Over-Mulching

Applying mulch seems like a no - brainer for wet retention , but piling it on too thick can stifle roots . I once smothered my hydrangea ( Hydrangea macrophylla , aboriginal to Japan , non - invasive ) under a three - inch blanket of shredded bark . rather of help oneself , it trapped too much moisture , conduce to settle rot and wilt foliage by midsummer !

Mulch should represent like a light jacket — no more than 1–2 in . Too much invites slugs and earwig to nestle in the coolheaded , damp layer , turn your mulch into an unwelcome critter condo . draw mulch back more or less from fore to allow air circulation , and watch your plants breathe easier .

Watering on a Rigid Schedule

I used to piss every morning at 7 AM like clockwork — until my tomatoes ( Solanum Lycopersicon , aboriginal to westerly South America , sometimes weedy ) show planetary house of stress . Rigid schedule push aside weather , grease type , and plant needs . On clouded or showery day , they can conduct to waterlogged roots ; during heating waves , daily lachrymation might still be insufficient .

or else , sense the soil with your fingers or use a wet time . Deep , infrequent soakings encourage roots to plunge deeply , improving drouth resiliency . It ’s such a sculptural relief to see sturdy , full-bodied plants instead of ones gasping from shallow root system !

Pruning at the Wrong Time

Snipping away spent blooms or shaping shrubs can invigorate growth — but timing is everything . I once pruned my azalea ( Rhododendron spp . , native to Asia and North America , some mintage invasive ) right before bud constitution , and it never bloom that year !

Most spring - flowering bush arrange their bud on last yr ’s increment , so late - wintertime pruning robs blooms . Conversely , cutting back summer bloomer too early can do leggy regrowth that flops under its own weight . determine each works ’s bloom cycle — your garden will reward you with more striking displays !

Planting Too Early in Spring

I ’ll admit , I get eager when winter tease apart its hold — but embed frost - sensitive peppers ( Capsicum annuum , native to Central America , non - invasive ) in March taught me a chilly lesson ! Even a light frost can damage attendant roots and foliage , delay growth for workweek .

Wait until your realm ’s last frost date — often mid - May here in USDA Zone 6 — to transplant warm - season crop . If you simply ca n’t refuse former planting , utilize frigid frames or cloches to screen new plants . You ’ll avoid that heart - sinking stack of hoarfrost - bitten seedlings !

Crowding Plants Too Tightly

I want a lush , full veggie bed , so I squeezed in as many lettuces ( Lactuca sativa , native to the Mediterranean , non - invasive ) as potential . Within twenty-four hour period , they contend for light and airflow , leading to powdery mildew outbreaks and scrawny growth !

Give each plant life its recommended spatial arrangement — this change by species and cultivar . Proper air flow deters fungal diseases and allows pollinator to navigate blossoms easily . Trust me , those few additional inches can make a world of difference in muscularity and yield .

Using Non-Native Ornamentals Without Research

That beautiful Japanese barberry ( Berberis thunbergii ) may look stunning in fall , but it ’s invasive in many U.S. states , outcompeting aboriginal undergrowth and altering wildlife home ground . I once planted it for its fervid leaf before realizing it spread sharply into my forest edge !

Always check a plant ’s invasiveness status in your orbit . Native alternatives — like reddish - twig dogwood ( cornu sericea , aboriginal to North America , non - invasive)—offer similar ocular interest without ecological downside . You ’ll kip better knowing you ’re supporting local biodiversity .

Neglecting Soil Testing

I used to assume my garden filth was “ good enough , ” until my zucchini ( Cucurbita pepo , aboriginal to the Americas , non - invasive ) struggled with blossom last rot — an index number of calcium deficiency . A simple soil exam would have revealed the imbalance months earlier !

Regular testing leave a roadmap for pH readjustment and nutrient amendment . Whether you ’re maturate acid - love blueberries ( Vaccinium corymbosum , native to eastern North America , non - encroaching ) or classical roses , match stain experimental condition to plant needs spare you guesswork and wasted endeavour .

Overfertilizing with Nitrogen

Feeding flora is fulfil , but too much nitrogen can backlash spectacularly . My once - vigorous helianthus ( Helianthus annuus , aboriginal to North America , non - incursive ) produced lush immature leaf at the expense of flower head when I exaggerate a high - N feed !

Balanced victuals is key : follow recording label rates and opt for irksome - release or constitutional fertilizer . Excess nitrogen can also lave away into watercourse , harming aquatic ecosystem . A little restraint yields strong stalks and more prolific flowering .

Ignoring Beneficial Insects

I used to spray at random at the first sight of aphids on my nasturtium ( Tropaeolum majus , aboriginal to Central and South America , non - trespassing ) , pass over out ladybugs and lacewings along with the pests . Suddenly , I had spider mites and thripid taking over !

Instead , bosom beneficials : create insect hotels with bamboo big bucks , flora native milkweed ( Asclepias syriaca , native to North America , non - invasive ) for monarch cat , and avoid across-the-board - spectrum sprays . Nature ’s little helpers will keep plague population in verify if you give them elbow room to snuggle and forage !

Excessive Deadheading

Deadheading keep blooms coming , but overdoing it can exhaust a plant . I clipped pass peak off my butterfly bush ( Buddleja davidii , native to China , invasive in many regions ) so vigorously that it had little free energy left for new growth , ensue in thin late - season blooms .

Focus on removing really pass blossoms rather than every fading petal . Allow some seed heads — for species like coneflower ( Echinacea purpurea , native to central and eastern North America , non - invasive)—to stay for razz and wintertime stake . Your garden will bloom longer and support wildlife all year around !