We all do our best to keep our outdoor spaces thriving. When it comes to garden plants, the simplest tips can make all the difference. In this article, we’ll have a look at some simple garden plant care tips to keep your own outdoor space in great shape.
Know when to water
Watering your plants early in the morning or late at night is the best method. These times of day are the coolest, meaning not as much water will evaporate out from the soil before the plants can take it up. Not only will this save you water, but it will also mean that your plants get all the water they need when they need it.
Don’t over-fertilise
Giving your plants too much fertiliser can lead to a build-up of soluble salts in the soil. This is damaging to both the plants and the environment. The salts can damage roots and predispose the plants to certain root diseases. Excess fertiliser can also leach into groundwater or runoff into water sources like ponds or rivers, which can be terrible for ecosystems. Make sure to stick as closely to the instructions on your fertiliser as possible, only giving your plants as much as they need.
Don’t be afraid of pruning
Pruning is an important part of cultivating healthy plants. Cutting away any dead or damaged material can promote new, healthy growth and keep your plants looking full and bushy. Do some research on the plant species you have to see what time of year they’ll need pruning and how much they require. Don’t worry if you’re just getting started with gardening – we’ve got some pruning tips for beginners.
Understand your soil
There are certain things you should know about your soil before you start growing plants in it. For example:
- The soil type and texture
- Its pH level
- How much water it retains
All of these factors can affect which plants will thrive in your garden. Having this information will also help you to make any adjustments to your soil that you might need – click here to find out more about preparing your soil.
Mulch your plants
Even though it’s one of the simplest plant care tricks in the book, mulching your plants has loads of benefits. Here are some examples:
- Mulch often looks nicer than bare ground
- It helps the soil to retain more water
- It suppresses weeds
If you want to read more about mulching, click here for an introduction to mulching for beginners.
Regularly check for pests and diseases
The more often you check for pests and diseases, the less damage they’re likely to do to your plants. If your plants do end up with something wrong with them, regular checking will ensure you catch it early and will be able to do something about it. Not sure what you’re checking for? Have a look at our beginners guide to pests and diseases.
Deadhead your flowering plants
When your flowers start to fade before the flowering season is over, pruning them away will help the plant to keep blooming. This not only makes your garden more neat and tidy but is also good for the plants. However, if you want to harvest seeds from your plants, leave the flowers on long enough to form seed heads. This is also a great way of feeding your local birds!
Click here to learn more about deadheading.
Know the right size pot to use
If you’re growing plants in pots, it’s important to know which size to use. The key is to not use too big a pot. When a plant in a container has too much soil around its roots, it won’t be able to take up all the water around it and will end up sitting in soggy soil. This is bad for the roots and can lead to them rotting. We recommend using a pot that’s about 1-2 inches wider than the root system in diameter and not much deeper. If you’re repotting your plant, move it into a container that’s two sizes larger than its current home.
Conclusion
Now that you know these simple plant care tips, use them to make your own outdoor space a thriving garden. Click here to keep reading articles on general gardening advice.
