Gardening for dummies: 4 mistakes to avoid

Growing fruits, herbs, and vegetables isn’t rocket science . . . but you might need some magic to help them grow to maturity! Once you’ve learned basic gardening 101, take the time to go over the following common mistakes that new gardeners often make. May beginner’s luck be with you!

1. Not having a plan

Not all vegetables should be planted in late May or early June! And not all plants require the same growing time! In fact, seeds should be planted first, followed by seedlings, followed by more mature plants. Some vegetables, such as radishes and lettuce, prefer to be planted early in the season, as they don’t fare well in heat waves when they’re still tiny. Other vegetables can be planted later in the season.

It's therefore important to inform yourself on the ideal time to sow your seedlings or plants, and to prepare a gardening calendar. This way, you’ll ensure you plant the right varieties at the right time and maximize your entire gardening plot all summer long.

Does the thought of starting your own seedlings inside intimidate you as a first-time gardener? Know that some vegetables, namely root vegetables, can be planted directly from seed in your garden. However, this method is less effective than transplanting seedlings that have been started inside. 

Mid-May

• Beets
• Carrots
• Parsnip
• Turnips
• Rutabagas
• Potatoes (plant the tubers)

Early June

• Beans

You can also maximize your chances of success by opting for young seedlings, which you can simply transplant into your garden come early June.

2. Wanting to save money by opting for black soil

Big and crunchy veggies are a result of quality soil, of the variety designed especially for vegetable gardens. In addition to containing nutrients essential to the growth of your plants, such soil allows for easier drainage, which means better oxygenation for the roots. Overall, it’s better than standard black soil, which yes, is cheaper, but isn’t ideal for vegetable gardens.

If you want to create an in-ground garden, you should start by determining the type of soil you have: loamy, sandy, or clayey. Each type of soil comes with its pros and cons, which you should learn all about in order to get the most out of your garden. 

3. Ignoring the hardiness zone your region is located in

You won’t be surprised to learn that some vegetables adapt well to rigorous climates, while others don’t. In Quebec, the hardiness zones are ranked 0 to 5, 5 being the hottest. Each zone is subdivided into two parts—A and B, the former being warmer than the latter. Before planting any vegetables in your garden, make sure they fare well in your region’s hardiness zone.

4. Not respecting the sowing distance between your lettuce, tomatoes, and other vegetables 

When planting vegetables, it’s important to leave sufficient space between each, as some can grow to be quite big. Tomato plants, for example, can grow to be huge! Indeterminate tomato varieties never stop growing; leave a metre between such plants. Inversely, determinate varieties cease growing once they’ve reached maturity.

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