How to Garden Trees & Plants
- 1). Water your plants regularly. Most plants need about one inch of water per week. Water thoroughly once each week instead of sprinkling them lightly frequently during the week. Spray water at the base of the plant. Water early in the day so that the plants have time to dry before any dew forms. This will help to prevent disease.
- 2). Place mulch around your garden to help retain moisture and control weeds. Apply the mulch evenly on the soil 2 to 4 inches deep. Make sure you set out an organic mulch, such as leaves, only after the plant is well established, advises the University of Illinois Extension.
- 3). Remove any weeds that come up with a hoe. Avoid cutting into the roots of your flowers or vegetables. Do not weed if the soil is wet.
- 4). Have your soil tested by a lab or your county extension. Follow its recommendations on what type of fertilizer to add to your soil. Apply the main yearly fertilizer treatment in the spring. For flower gardens, a single yearly application is often sufficient. Vegetables may need additional applications. Consult your county extension office for the fertilizer needs of each plant.
- 5). Recognize the difference between harmful pests, such as aphids, and beneficial insects, such as lady bugs. Remove any individual harmful insects by hand when possible. Spray plants with a forceful stream of water to remove small insects. Space the plants at the recommended distances. Make sure the soil is well-drained. Remove any stones or pieces of wood under which insects may hide.
- 6). Deadhead any spent flowers by pinching them off at their base. This will encourage them to produce more blooms.
- 7). Place four or five empty cans in your garden to measure the amount of rainfall the plants are getting. Avoid watering if plants get an inch or more of rain water per week.
- 8). Measure the width of your vegetable seeds and multiply by 2. This will give you the depth in inches at which you should plant the seed.
- 9). Choose disease-resistant varieties of plants.
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