Expert Gardening Tips

When it comes to gardening, many people have an endless list of questions. Expert gardening advice can help you choose the right plants and the right techniques for your garden.

Buying plants and tools
Remember that lower prices don't always mean you'll be getting the best deal. Often with gardening tools, money invested in durable, well-made tools will result in better performance and less breakage and need for replacement. With plants and flowers, slashed prices can mean that the plants have missed their ideal planting time. Always inspect plants for signs of sickness or insects. Small plants can be a better choice than larger ones. Smaller plants usually have very few flowers and small, rigid buds. These healthy young plants respond better to transplanting.

Overusing fertilizer
Fertilizer results in new, luscious growth on plants. When people use too much fertilizer on their landscaping, they usually end up with a bigger bug problem because the increased (and overabundant) production of new growth attracts insects to the area to eat these tender parts. Also, it's a bad idea to fertilize shrubs, other plants and trees (this rule does not apply to lawn care) too late in the summer, especially if early freezes are common in your area. The delicate new growth that the fertilizer encourages will likely fall victim to freezing. Plus, late summer is the time that plants prepare to become dormant for the winter; in essence, late use of fertilizer is a waste of time and money.

Pesticide confusion
Plants and insects are natural partners in nature. If plants show signs of minor insect damage, this is not a sign that you need to use pesticide, especially pesticides that wipe out an enormous range of insects. If you overuse these types of pesticides, you will probably kill beneficial insects - the defense against harmful insects that nature has provided. Many products are available that are designed for a very specific insect problem. Also, when purchasing a pesticide, be sure you know whether it is designed to be digested by insects (insects must eat plants sprayed with the pesticide in order to be killed) or if the pesticide contains a contact poison. With contact pesticides, you must spray the insect directly to kill it.

Gardening can be a satisfying and rewarding experience. Contact a trusted nursery with any questions you have about caring for your garden. An expert's advice can save you from mistakes that can cost time and money.