We gardeners never show ignorance to our garden, not by choice. And gardening issues never differentiate among gardeners. Even avid gardeners like me are no exception to some of the common gardening issues. Finding and fixing these problems is a great hassle for even veteran gardeners. Yellowing of leaves, insects and mites, weeds, etc. are the most common type of problems almost every gardener faces. Moreover, further complications related to plants, soil, and others are also to be taken into account.
Gardeners like us are always on the run for finding the best possible way to cure our gardens of any complications. After years of experience, I am glad to help you out! In this blog, I will discuss the most common gardening issues and how to fix gardening problems.
1. Problem With Seed Germination
Let us start with a common problem we all face in our initial phase. It is faulty germination. As a beginner, you cannot but agree that you faced or still face some issues in this regard. There could be a set of reasons behind this problem.
The first reason could be a faulty seed. So, be sure to choose vigorous and healthy seeds. Store the seeds properly prior to sowing them. Also, be sure to handle the seeds with care so that they do not die out before planting.
Then check the soil. Check the soil moisture level and temperature. Without the right temperature and moisture, the seed tends to take longer to germinate. Even some seeds die out in excess moisture. Thus, you should be careful of the soil condition too. The optimum temperature for germinating seeds should be between 65 to 85-degree Fahrenheit. So, be sure to check if it is in the right condition for seeds.
In some cases, beautiful birds could be the reason for your seedling not coming out. Birds love seeds. So, it could be that your seeds are already uprooted by birds. So, be sure to check that.
Finally, for the right seedling growth, plant the seeds when they are in season. If you need extra support and control while germinating the seeds, use a Plant Starter Tray. You can check our review blog about the best plant starter tray to get the perfect one.
2. Excess Crabgrass And Dandelions On The Field
A few grass and weeds are not a very concerning matter in a healthy garden. However, if the situation is left unchecked, they become a matter of concern.
It is better to be cautious beforehand. Before planting your seedlings, clean your law by hand if possible. Crabgrass does not usually grow in well-nourished lawns that are mowed occasionally. So, be sure to fertilize the land well. Mow the lawn at least a few times each month. If the case is severe, use corn gluten meal during early spring along with the normal fertilizer.
In case of unexpected dandelions, they cannot be easily uprooted. They have their roots very deep inside the soil. Use a 4 claw weeder to pull dandelions taproot from its start. If you see dandelions, start removing them right away.
3. Seedlings Dying Out
Even if we manage to germinate seedlings from our seeds, then sometimes the seedling dies out. This keeps us at a frenzy. It could happen due to a few causes.
The first reason could be improper germination. If the seeds do not germinate to its fullest and you already transplanted it, that could be a problem. Make sure to grow your seed to its full potential first.
Also, check the soil. If the soil is dry, there is a high possibility that your newly transplanted seedling is wilting and dying. So, make sure to keep the soil moist. Water the plants when the 2 inches beneath the surface dries out.
Further, do not forget to Water Properly. Overwatering is a major cause why seedlings wilt out. Due to excess water, the sensitive roots of the seedlings rot. Thus, the do not have enough strength to stand upright. Even, wet environment is ideal for fungal disease development. Make sure to not over-water your plants. to know better about watering your plants and water hose timers, Do check my review on Best water hose timers here
4. Wilting Of Partially Or Fully Grown Plants
One thing that annoyed me the most a few years ago was wilting of my half-grown plants. This is pretty common. If you take the proper steps, it can easily be prevented.
Make sure to Water Adequately. If your plants are thirsty, they almost always wilt no matter how much grown they are. Whether it is dry season or wet, check the soil and water it whenever needed.
Even Excess Watering can cause your plants to wilt. Excess moisture hinders the plant’s respiration. Moreover, excess water also makes the roots weak and rotten. Fungal diseases would also develop due to excess moisture. So, prior to watering, never forget to check.
Also, make sure to show enough Sun. If your plants are less exposed to sunlight or in some cases, they are way too much exposed, the plant would eventually wilt. Make sure that your plant gets at least 6-8 hours so sunlight every day. In adverse cases, you can use Fluorescent Light Bulbs too.
Moreover, one of the most common reasons for the dying and wilting of mature plants is Fungal and Bacterial Diseases. It is better to plant a disease-resistant variety to prevent such damages.
5. Plant And Leaves Are Turning Yellow
Even experienced gardeners are prone to their leaves turning yellow. This may happen due to a couple of reasons. The first thing you can do is pruning the diseased leaves.
Also, watering should be proper. Too little or too much water, both is bad for your plant and might be contributing to several problems. To less water would derail your plant’s intake. Too much water would rot the root and take your plants to the same consequence. Thus, it would not be nourished enough and turn yellow.
Expose your plant to enough sunlight. Plant leaves become yellow due to the lack of chlorophyll. And this chlorophyll is synthesized in the presence of sunlight. So, make sure your plant gets at least 6 hours of sunlight every day. In emergency cases, you can also use a fluorescent lamp.
Do not Malnourish your plants. Use enough Nitrogen, Iron, Magnesium, and Manganese enriched fertilizers. Also, avoid overuse of these. Use the recommended amount. Moreover, leaves may turn yellow due to some viral diseases. If you need a better and more elaborate understanding, visit our Blog on ‘Why Do Plant Leaves Turn Yellow?’
6. Plants Are Weak And Frail
Nothing frustrates us more than our dear plants being skinny and weak. We face this problem every now and then. However, it is easy to take control of such situations.
The first reason could be due to Inadequate Nourishment. If you nourish your plant with adequate fertilizers, they would not be frail. So, know what is preferred by your plant and serve it right. But do not use excess synthetic fertilizers. Synthetic fertilizer damages the soil and the plant.
Next, do not Over-water. Overwatering and extra moisture in the soil make the root weak. Thus, even with enough nourishment, the plant cannot take up the nourishment.
7. Different Colour Spots On The Leaves
It is a very common sighting at many gardens. Often times you may see different yellow to brown spots appearing on your leaves. It may occur due to a number of reasons and can be cured as well.
I am sure you might have heard of the ‘Leaf Spot Disease’. It is a disease of plants caused by fungus or bacteria. This disease often occurs due to a damp environment. So, keep the airflow perfect for your plants.
In case of fungal disease, if you do not want other plants to get affected, you need to uproot the infected plants. Keep the field clean and neat. Use some medicines at a recommended dosage to prevent further infection.
Sometimes, the spots may occur due to fertilizer burns. So, if you are using synthetic fertilizers, try interchanging it with organic ones. Organic fertilizers are both good for your soil as well as the plants. They cause less pollution and give you more production at the same time.
8. Indoor Garden Watering Problem
If you have an indoor garden, watering it must be a hard task for you! Even I couldn’t water my indoor plants without a mess. Little did I know how to do it properly. But after years of experience, I am here to present you with the most efficient ways to water your indoor plants without a mess.
If you have decorative fresh potted plants, it is better to water them in the bathroom. This way you can clean the mess sooner and keep your house clean.
Moreover, the best way to water potted plants is from below. Use a self-watering tray or saucer for watering the plants. Fill them with adequate water. But never overfill them.
To know more about the best plant starter trays and growing seed trays for gardeners please visit our blog here.
Then, you can use the double potting method. This way, the excess water from one pot would drip into the other. Thus, water won’t spill all over your floor.
Finally, if you want to water your plant pots at their place, use a drip tray. The drip tray sits beneath the pot and collects the excess water seeping through the pot.
9. Grubs All Over The Garden
Insects are highly damaging to our gardens. They take a share of our plant’s nutrition and refrains our plants from their share of nourishment. Insects are more likely to be attracted to well-nourished gardens and lawns. Grubs are our prime concern.
Grubs feed on grass and accelerate the growth of more grass. Moreover, they also attract birds as birds feed on such insects. This may cause even higher damage to our gardens.
So, it is better to take preventive measures against grubs first. During spring, some chemical insecticides can be applied to the law to keep the grubs away. Some organic insecticides like mixing nematodes with water can be sprayed instead.
However, if your lawn is already corrupted by grubs, you need to follow some curative measures. During mid-summer when the grubs are feeding on your garden, these steps can be taken. Chemical pesticides at a recommended dose can be a pretty useful way to get rid of the grubs.
10. Not Getting Enough Fruits And Vegetables
Not getting enough production from your garden could be caused by your negligence.
Did you sow your seeds at the right time? Is it the season for the fruit to grow? The first thing you can do is know when is the right time to grow your plants. An off-season planting would never bring you enough fruits.
Or maybe you have not rotated the plant bed. You cannot expect the same production from a piece of land if you have planted the same type of crop for 2 or more seasons. Rotating ensures that enough nutrients are gathered till the time the next season arrives. So, plant different variety of plants to the same bed each year.
Moreover, sometimes due to not enough pollination, you do not get the expected production. You can use your hands to rub off the pollen from your flowers. Or you can use a pollinator device to shake out the pollens and help your plant pollinate.
We, passionate gardeners, face a lot of hardships for our gardens to be perfect. But no matter how hard the problem is, with proper measures, they can be cured. So, do not lose hope. Try your best and you would surely see your plants shining!