Breadth Thrusts & Bread Crusts: Rookie Mistakes

JC Parets
June 16, 2022

From the desk of Willie Delwiche.

Last week, it was cool and rainy in Milwaukee. This week, it's been sunny and sweltering (with a few thunderstorms thrown in as well). Summer has definitely arrived as we approach the solstice and max daylight in the Northern Hemisphere.

With the heat we’ve had this week (several days in the 90s pushed our greenhouse temperatures to at least 120, which is as high as our thermometer measures), I've been sure to water the garden early and often.

In my experience, the number one mistake rookie gardeners make is not watering enough. I'm not growing cacti. Plants thrive on water, it's the lifeblood of the garden. Regular morning water, especially of plants that are in pots, is part of my routine. It feeds the roots and allows a healthy plant structure to emerge. Without summer watering, a fall harvest is less likely.

Number two on the list of rookie gardener mistakes is watering too much or at the wrong time. Constant overwatering discourages roots from penetrating deep into the soil. Rather than growing in a sustainable way, they become deeply dependent on the next sprinkling of liquidity. At the other extreme, excessive watering when the soil is parched is as likely to knock a plant over as it is to feed its roots.

In the heat of the day, even healthy plants might look a little droopy. A well-watered garden can handle hot summer temperatures. A poorly-watered garden wilts in periods of stress.

Number three on the lists is not making changes that are necessary. If seeds that you sowed are coming up, don't be so invested in the idea of the plant that you overlook the reality that nothing is actually growing. Those seeds are a sunk cost and it might be time to move on. Look around and add more of what is thriving. If a plant isn't doing well in a particular spot, finding a new home for it may be the best thing you can do.

Number four would be not leaving well enough alone. Plants that are growing need more time than fussing. Keep watering them and otherwise let them be. Years ago, when my wife and I were in the early stages of our gardening journey, we would move perennials too often and they would never flourish. Roots take time to grow. If a plant is doing well, exercise some patience by letting it be. You will get your reward.

Not everything you plant is going to make it. There can be a lot of trial and error in the garden. I mean a lot. But when you understand the conditions well enough that you have plants that are doing well, give them time and space to grow. 

When first starting out in the garden, we can find ourselves moving from one extreme to the next. But as with so many things in life, navigating between extremes can help us (and wherever it is we invest our time and energy) flourish. 

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