Even if you think you were born with two brown thumbs, it is possible to change it. Contrary to popular belief, a green thumb isn’t just a special talent reserved for a few special people. Did you know that with a little hard work and some patience, you can develop a green thumb of your own? It’s true! Today on Bless My Weeds, let’s talk about how you can grow a green thumb. Before long, you will have the garden you always dreamed of.
Why do gardens fail?
The biggest reason for garden failures is because people plant things where they think they’ll look best, without taking into consideration the plant’s specific needs first. For instance, are you planting a shade-loving plant in the sunniest place in your yard? Is your soil too alkaline? Is the plant getting too much {or too little} water?
Before you plant a garden, get some paper and pencil and take a walk around your yard. Make note of the sunny spots, shady areas, and places that seem to get less water. Jot down the spots that are overgrown, and the ones that look bare. Is there already a predominant color? Write that down so you can remember to buy plants that will bring variety to the yard.
Now that you know what your garden already has and what it lacks…
It’s time to prepare to improve your garden. Clear out the overgrown areas. Pull weeds and divide plants that have taken over their assigned place.
Read up on soil pH and test yours to see if it’s at a recommended level. If not, see what you can do to improve the quality of your soil.
Visit the local garden nursery. Talk to the resident master gardener about your yard. Take your notes with you!
As you choose plants for your garden, refer to your notes to remind you of the needs of your specific garden. Read the informational tags included in the plants for help on choosing the plants that will grow best in sunny areas, those that love shady spots, and those that require less watering.
A little knowledge and pre-planning go a long way toward developing a green thumb!
