10 rookie errors

Gardening is one of those activities that is best learnt by doing it… and this will involve a few mistakes. Here are some classic stu-ups, along with ways to avoid or salvage the situation

1 FAILURE TO OBSERVE

So, you came home with your plant, and specific instructions from the salesperson on how to care for it. But the plant isn’t thriving. Perhaps the leaves aren’t as glossy and plump as they were when you brought it home. Maybe the leaves are drooping, falling off or yellowing. These are indicators the plant isn’t happy. What’s gone wrong?

THE FIX: Go back to the drawing board. Observe the plant, research what it needs to thrive, and trust your instincts. If you were told to water your plant once a week but you can see it’s dry and wilting by day five, well, water it!

2 POOR PLANTING TECHNIQUE

Every gardener digging a planting hole has had a Goldilocks moment. You dig a hole that’s too small but are determined to make it work. The end result is damaged roots, as you squash the plant in or leave it sitting high above the level of the soil with its roots exposed. Conversely, you dig a hole that’s too deep, so the plant ends up with sunken stems covered in soil that are vulnerable to stem rots (these can be fatal).

3 MULCHING MUCK UPS

We all know how important mulching is, right? Getting a bit too enthusiastic and covering the soil right up to the trunk is a common problem. A pile of mulch around the bark builds moisture, leading to rot and plant failure. THE FIX: Keep mulch a few centimetres away from the trunk, and mulch to the correct thickness. Fine mulches such as sugarcane should be 1–2cm thick, while pine bark and other chunky mulches can be 5–7cm thick.

THE FIX: A good rule of thumb is to dig a hole at least twice the size of the rootball. Before planting, sit the pot in the hole to check the depth – the top of the soil in the pot should be at the same level as the surrounding soil you’re planting into. If the hole’s too deep, backfill until it’s ‘just right’.

4 PLANT NAME AMNESIA

It can be difficult to remember the name of a plant that you planted yonks ago when you didn’t keep the label.

However, that doesn’t help when a friend admires the plant and asks for the name. Or when your plant is sick but you can’t name it when seeking advice at the garden centre. Saying it has small leaves and pink flowers does little to narrow things down. THE FIX: Keep a journal or basic map of your garden and jot down the names when you plant them. Or keep the labels in clear plastic sleeves in a folder. When something goes wrong (or right), the first thing you will need is the label.

5 LEAVING LABELS ON

Yes, I know I’ve said to keep plant labels so you can remember the name, but keeping the label on the plant is not the answer, as the ties will choke it over time. Often labels break off anyway, but the tie remains behind, strangling the plant. Loosely tying the label to a side branch isn’t the answer, either. As the label flaps about in the wind, it stresses the branch, often weakening growth and causing dieback. Also, a garden full of tagged plants looks kind of silly.

THE FIX: Remove labels and store them somewhere, as for error #4.

6 FERTILISER BURN

In the bid for faster growth, it can be tempting to overdo it on the fertiliser front. With organic fertilisers, this may force lots of leaf growth at the expense of flowers and fruit, but if using synthetic fertilisers, the results can be more sinister. Putting synthetic fertiliser prills in the planting hole or adding too many on the soil surface can very easily burn roots, thanks to their high salt content. Overdoing it with synthetic liquid fertilisers can also cause problems, so it’s best to rein in your enthusiasm here.

THE FIX: Always follow the packet instructions regarding the quantity and application rate, and keep a record of when it has been applied so you don’t reapply it too soon.

7 DEADLY POTTING MIXES

You have loaded up your trolley with plants and now you need some potting mix. You decide to go for the super cheap $3 bags because it’s just dirt, after all, and you’d rather buy more plants, right? Wrong. You get what you pay for with potting mixes, and 90 per cent of the time those cheap ones are a fast route to plant death.

THE FIX: Only buy potting mixes labelled with the Australian Standard ticks. The labels are red for premium and black for regular potting mix.

8 TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING

We're all guilty of topping up the water ‘just in case’, but this pampering is the most common cause of indoor plant deaths. I know some plants are total princesses and need constant moisture (I’m looking at you, maidenhair fern) but most are happier when they’re allowed to dry out a little between drinks.

THE FIX: Wait until the top 2–3cm of potting mix dries out before watering, and check that the water hasn’t built up in the saucer or cover pot.

9 GENERAL NEGLECT

We all have busy lives and, as a result, our new leafy friends sometimes suffer. Forgot to water your seedlings or newly planted plants? There’s a quick death about to happen. Put your indoor plants out in the rain for a lovely refreshing shower then forgot to bring them back in? Out comes the sun, and that’s the end of those plants. Didn’t cover your early tomatoes ahead of a late frost? Oops. THE FIX: Leave yourself a note on the fridge, or put reminders in your phone, so you don’t forget to take care of important gardening tasks.

10 FAILING WITH NATIVES

Sometimes I hear gardeners say “I’ll just put in natives” when they want a garden that will look after itself. I’m sorry to break it to you, but not all natives look after themselves. Many natives require less water, feeding or pruning than exotic plants, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. Australia has enormous diversity in climates and soil types, and not all native plants will grow everywhere. Also, in their natural setting, they’re pruned by hungry animals and birds, or by bushfires. Likewise, plants receive nutrients from animal droppings, fires and the breakdown of leaf litter. THE FIX: Learn about the needs of the plant you’re interested in to see if it will thrive in your situation. Then treat your native plants like all other plants, giving them the care and attention they need.