Every year, right around February, I start to get excited about the upcoming planting season.
I think about what I want to grow – especially vegetables – and start making plans. But inevitably, in my enthusiasm, I make planting mistakes even before the garden goes in.
Over the years, these are the mistakes I have learned the most from.
Tomato seedlings under grow lights.
Buying more seeds than I need
My garden occupies the same amount of space each year unless I add some containers. Yet for some years, I ended up with many more seeds than I am going to use. I have shared the extras with friends, so the seeds did not get wasted, but I have learned to be more realistic about my planting plans.
Starting my seeds too early indoors
I have lived in the area for most of my life and am aware of the planting season and its changes. Yet I have been too optimistic sometimes about what spring might look like and ended up with a bunch of seedlings that really should be transplanted outdoors, yet the ground and weather are nowhere near ready for them.
Rushing indoor-sown plants
Also known as not taking the time to harden off my indoor-sown plants before planting them outside. I lost some beautiful little seedlings because I did not take time to acclimate them to the sun and wind before I planted them.
Overplanting
Really, it’s overestimating the time, I will have for gardening and then overplanting. This is another situation like overbuying seeds – where my gardening eyes can be bigger than my stomach. I have learned over the years to be realistic about the time I will have to care for my garden, what I genuinely like and want to care for, and what is usually successful, and then plan accordingly.
I know I will continue to make other gardening mistakes in the future, but one thing is for sure: that never dampens my excitement for the growing season.
Please note, know the source of soil and mulch (could lead paint be an issue?).
Cornell Cooperative Extension Oneida County answers home and garden questions which can be emailed to homeandgarden@cornell.edu or call 315-736-3394, press 1 and ext. 333. Leave your question, name, and phone number. Questions are answered on weekdays, 8am to 4pm. Also, visit our website at http://cceoneida.com/ or phone 315-736-3394, press 1 and then ext.100.
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Gardening mistakes to avoid: expert tips for a thriving garden
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