3 Common Mistakes Newbies Make When Purchasing Garden Supplies

Spring is here and you’re gung-ho about your new gardening hobby. You’ve watched all of the tutorials, bought your garden products, planted all of the plant babies, and…suddenly things aren’t going to plan.

Perhaps your crop plants are withering or the handle of your spade snaps off after a few uses. Maybe you’re noticing an unwelcome influx of pests that have decided to call your green paradise home.

If this sounds similar to your situation, you might be scratching your head wondering where you went wrong. In fact, the problem could very well be that the garden supplies you’ve chosen to work with aren’t cutting it. 

In this post, we go to the root of the problem and discuss the 3 most common mistakes newbies make when purchasing garden supplies.

1. The Wrong Garden Layout

One big downfall of the novice gardener is failing to recognize what their plants need. They go to their local garden center and stock up on a variety of plants without considering the growing conditions of their garden space at home.

While one plant prefers marshy conditions, another might prefer dry soil. Mixing plants or cramming a bunch together in a small space is a recipe for disaster.

Instead, be mindful when designing your garden patch. Are you going to grow crops? Will you add mulch or pebbles to improve drainage? Is there partial shade or full shade? These are all important questions to ponder before buying plants.

When you’re ready to hit the garden center, talk to the professionals there about your growing conditions and the types of plants they recommend.

2. Cheap Garden Products

You might feel proud because you got a sweet bargain on that shovel, but the truth is when it comes to garden supplies you want to go with quality. 

Oftentimes a new gardener will invest in the cheapest tools, then throw their hands to the heavens when something breaks after a few uses.

Seek out quality garden products that last a lifetime. Sure, it may cost a bit more, but you’re guaranteed reliability for years that more than make up for the value.

The same goes for mulch, decorative stones, and soil. Choose organic, naturally sourced products that aren’t laden with chemicals and pesticides. 

3. Watering Woes

Either you’re not watering your plants enough, or the drainage isn’t up to par. Drainage is important to ensure moisture is distributed evenly throughout beds without bogging plant roots down with too much liquid.

Besides reading up on the watering needs of your plants, it might be a good idea to invest in bagged mulch or gravel to add to your garden.

A fine layer offers many benefits, such as preventing weeds, boosting the aesthetics, and improving drainage. You won’t have to water as frequently either, since these materials hold and distribute moisture.