Mistake 4: Not interplanting
It’s important that plants have plenty of room to breathe.
Photo: WalkerPod Images/Getty Images
Let all of your buds play together. “Break away from the idea that you can only grow one type [of plant] in a bed,” Gilger says. Interplanting, or intercropping, is a gardening practice that encourages pairing companion plants, as well as bundling taller and shorter plants. Mixing and matching can also whittle weeds and bring in beneficial pollinators, she explains. Bonus: Interplanting is also said to reduce pests and disease.
Mistake 5: Overcrowding plants
Although mixing plants together is A-OK, you still have to be mindful of spacing, notes Michael Giannelli of East Hampton Gardens, a garden and home shop in East Hampton, New York. “[People] want that instant garden full and colorful—big mistake,” he says. “Plants need room to grow and spread naturally.” Follow the planting recommendations, which typically suggest 2 to 3 feet between plants. You can probably cheat a little by skirting the recommendations by a few inches, but don’t pack plants side by side like sardines.
Mistake 6: Planting too much variety
Tempting as it may be to plant everything from acorns to zucchini, focus on growing vegetables, herbs, and flowers that bring joy to your plate. “It seems simple, but you are most passionate about growing the vegetables, herbs, and flowers you already find yourself grabbing for at the grocery store or farmers market,” Gilger says. No need to fuss over fennel if you think it tastes blah.
Mistake 7: Missing the fruits of your labor
Get on the garden’s schedule. “Now that you have a bounty of cherry tomatoes and green beans, you have to eat them,” Hermanson says. “Don’t leave ready to harvest items on the vine. This is like leaving a popsicle on the lawn and then being surprised it’s covered with ants!”
Mistake 8: Misunderstanding plant growth
Developing an understanding of plant growth will be key to ensuring maximum success in the garden. Arianna Iappini, a gardening coach at The Birch Arbor Gardens in Salisbury, Massachusetts, understands that “a beginner gardener can have trouble imagining that a 5-inch tomato seedling will eventually reach a height of 8 feet. Knowing plant height at maturity is crucial in nurturing all the plants in the garden. As the plant grows, it will cast shade on the surrounding plantings, and this can affect the overall environment, she notes. What’s more, you’ll want to provide adequate support structures for tall, vining, and climbing plants.
Mistake 9: Improper watering
“Don’t water like a wimp,” says horticulturist Jessica Walliser, co-owner of Savvy Gardening, an online resource. Go all in and douse your seedlings properly. “Deep, thorough watering once per week is better than splashing on a little every day,” Walliser adds. “The soil should be wet several inches down after you’re done watering. If it isn’t, then you aren’t applying enough water at any given time.” At the same time, giving plants too much water is detrimental—overwatering can lead to rotted roots and yellow leaves, Giannelli says. “An irrigation system that usually goes on every other day may be fine for the lawn, but not great for everything else,” he shares.
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