Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show/podcast: Three things NOT to do in your garden
Three more ways to ruin your garden! Today I share Time and Teri tested methods in an effort to stop you!
Last week I shared that not doing soil prep is the number one mistake gardeners make.
Today, as we ponder our plant lists after perusing the catalogs, you may want to think twice about plants that say ‘fills in rapidly’ when considering a plant to buy.
The plant is pretty, the label is enticing, the deal is good but here’s why we’re out! When a label says ‘fills in rapidly’ or ‘easy spreader’ the translation is usually ‘invasive’, ‘will take over and destroy your less vigorous plants’.
Now, there may be some areas that you want something else to take over, then by all means, plant that ‘easy spreader’, just be aware that they wander.
Another way to ruin your garden is to cast those wood ashes from the fireplace into the garden. Wood ash is very alkaline.
Before you add any kind of amendment that strong, acid or alkaline, get your soil tested. Wood Ash is a great source of potassium with a p-h that can run from 10 to 12. Too much will burn earthworms and beneficial microorganisms. Certainly don’t use them around acid loving plants!
And another thing I’ve heard over the fence. ‘Work your soil after a good rain, when it’s soft’. Just don’t. If you work a wet soil (and I mean wet not moist) you’ll ruin its texture, turning it into clods.
If you have clay soil, you may be tempted to add sand. Don’t, you’ll just make bricks UNLESS you add a SMALL amount of very coarse sand. The best thing to do is to fork in compost or any organic matter in your soil when it’s dry.