Whether you consider yourself a gardening pro or a planting newbie, there’s always more to learn when it comes to improving your backyard garden. And what better way to improve your own strategy than by taking suggestions from fellow at-home gardeners who have gone through the same struggles?
From companion planting to propagation tips and watering techniques, Reddit users have come together to share all the habits they swear by in an effort to help fellow gardeners advance their skills.
We’ve sorted through the gardening thread, pulling the top six tricks Redditors vouch for. Below are the most valuable recommendations, plus advice from a pro gardener on how to try them in your own backyard.
Meet Our Expert
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01 of 06
Use Companion Planting to Boost Your Garden
One Redditor swears by companion planting, a simple yet effective gardening method many beginners might be missing out on.
“Want natural pest protection? Companion planting. Want to help lessen the chance of certain diseases? Companion planting. Want to benefit the soil? Companion planting. Want to improve pollination? Yep, you guessed it—companion planting,” the user writes.
Lindsey Chastain, expert gardener and founder of The Waddle and Cluck, a homesteading blog, agrees. “Absolutely. Include marigolds to help with pests around the perimeter of your garden,” she says. “You can plant nitrogen-fixers near nitrogen-drainers. Planting beans near corn will keep the soil nitrogen rich for the corn, and any flowers that attract bees are great to have around your garden.”
02 of 06
Get Your Soil Tested
While you might assume the soil in your backyard is healthy, Reddit users agree that if you’re continuously struggling to see success in your garden, chances are something might be wrong with your soil.
“Good soil is a must. If you dig a garden in your backyard and don’t have much luck, get your soil tested and amend it as needed,” one Redditor writes.
“I agree completely,” says Chastain. She adds that free soil testing is often offered through local university cooperative extension offices “that will let you know where to plant and how to improve the soil with nutrients based on what the plants want and need.”
03 of 06
Propagate to Save Money
Instead of spending time (and money!) buying more and more plants, Redditors agree that propagation is a skill worth learning if you plan on keeping your garden alive for years to come. “I save tons of time and money cloning plants I already have… I love seeing a plant start to develop on its own once removed from its parent.”
Chastain agrees that propagation is a great money-saving technique but admits that it can be a bit more of an advanced gardening technique. However, with proper knowledge and the right tools, any at-home gardener can learn.
“When taking clippings, always use sharp, clean tools,” she instructs. “Clean your tools between each plant. Dirty tools are the fastest way to spread disease and dull tools will cause unnecessary damage to plants.”
04 of 06
Always Topcoat Your Soil
Protecting your soil is of utmost importance, according to Redditors: “Always topcoat your soil! Bare soil is like not wearing pants!! MULCH!!!!” writes one user.
Chastain backs this up. “Mulch protects your soil from weather and erosion,” she explains. “It also helps maintain temperature and retain moisture.” But don’t forget mulching isn’t just for the growing season, she adds. “After cleaning up your beds for winter, deep mulch can help protect and preserve your beds from winter temps and weather and give bugs you want in your garden a safe place to overwinter.”
And if you’re looking for an inexpensive mulch option, Chastain suggests using shredded leaves. As the leaves decompose, their nutrients will enter the soil.
05 of 06
Walk Through Your Garden Daily
It might seem simple, but keeping an eye on your garden is one of the best ways to make sure you’re able to fix an issue before it turns into an even bigger dilemma. “If you notice a problem early, it’s far easier to remedy than letting it get a foothold. Hey, yesterday this plant was perfect, today I have a complete leafless stem… gotta find the tobacco worm!” writes one Redditor.
Take this tip to the next level by taking photos of your garden so you’re able to look back and carefully track any progress (or account for any setbacks).
“Don’t just walk, though. Observe. Look at the undersides of leaves because that’s where most pests hide. Touch the soil to see if it’s moist enough. Look for yellowing of leaves. Look for pollinators. Look for broken stems and stalks,” says Chastain. “I like to take photos so I can compare week to week how my plants are developing. Be an active participant in your garden and your plants will be much healthier.”
06 of 06
Water Low and Go Slow
One of the keys to successful gardening? Taking your time, especially when it comes to watering. “Water low and go slow,” one user writes. “Also, I plant polycultures—veggies, herbs, and flowers all together. It seems to cut down on pest issues…”
Chastain reveals that plenty of beginner gardeners might not be aware of how important it is to water plants at the base—and that failing to do so could even harm your garden, depending on conditions.
“Don’t water in the heat of the day. The best time to water is early in the morning before the temperature rises,” says Chastain. “The next best time is evening as the heat is dropping. Water droplets on leaves during the heat of the day can burn your plants. Water at the base of the plant, not over the leaves.”
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