How to Be A Green Thumb? 7 Things To Remember!

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Everyone can have a Green Thumb, Here’s Why

The idea that I do not have a green thumb has been told to me so many times but I simply do not believe it to be true. Having a garden and gardening in general are surrounded by a lot of misconceptions. There are also so many resources available for beginner gardeners. You can achieve the garden of your dreams no matter your level of experience!

Everyone Kills Plants

It’s true. As bad as that sounds, everyone kills plants. It’s how you learn. I’ve never run into a gardener who did all their work in the first go, or even in the second or third! Think of every time you kill a plant as an opportunity to come up with a way to keep the next one alive. I know I have killed my fair share of plants, but every time I know what caused them to die, I am more empowered to do better next time.

It’s One Google Search Away

There’s no reason why, in this day and age, you can’t learn whatever you want. Gardening advice is just a google search, a phone call, or a drive away. Google has answered several of my gardening questions. When my plant looks odd, I look it up and instantly find pictures and descriptions that help me identify the problem. For those who are unfamiliar with technology or want something more personal, they can visit their local garden center, or even attend a class in their area. When it comes to gardening, the internet can help you out, whether you need advice on a wilting plant or want to purchase a new rake.

Who Doesn’t Like a Challenge?

In some ways, gardening is both challenging and mysterious. You may wonder why some plants thrive and bear fruit against all odds. When you first start out, it can feel like a rollercoaster! However, growing your own vegetables from seed is the only way to get that satisfying sense of accomplishment. Once you do it, you’ll be hooked both on the flavor and sense of accomplishment! Despite the ups and downs of gardening, you shouldn’t give up. Nothing worthwhile is easy, and gardening is no exception.

A Garden is a Place For Fun

A lot of people think gardening is a chore, which is truly sad. Gardening is incredibly rewarding and teaches patience and perseverance. Create a garden with any plants you like. Making your garden unique is a fun way to make it a fun place to be. Make your garden something you’ll love going to in the morning. The act of gardening becomes less tedious when it is enjoyable. Container gardening can make gardening more enjoyable – even if it is just because there aren’t any weeds! Additionally, there is no better way to spend an evening than by dining and drinking in your own garden.

Give Your Garden a Good Start

If you get a great potting mix and remember to check on your garden at least once a week, you’re already ahead of the game. For container gardening, the potting mix is extremely important. In addition to choosing the right potting soil, you should also choose a mix that will hold water well. If your mix is good, then the next thing you should do is only to keep a close watch on your plants. Checking on your plants often will ensure that you know exactly what they need, such as more water, fertilizer, sun, etc. Give your garden a good start and monitor their progress, and you will soon have an impressive garden!

How to Be Green-Thumbed

Fear not. People don’t typically have black thumbs. When your plants die, it means you’re doing something wrong. The good news? If you want to do things right, then you have to do things differently. Here are six simple ways to do that.

Browse Information on Plants

The first thing you should know is that while you might be tempted to choose your garden by color and shape, or what the neighbors are doing, or what you want to eat, you cannot make these decisions alone. It is advisable to research your choices before planting them in the soil.

Seed packages, the Web, and the agricultural extension program of your local state college are excellent sources of information about what every plant needs. There are different kinds of plants based on their requirements for sunlight, soil, water, and drainage, as well as when they should be planted. It’s only a matter of reading the directions and following them. You’ll be able to turn your black thumb green in no time.

Research Your Plant Zone

It’s possible that the plants you have are dying because they don’t fit your climate. If September and early October nights are cool where you are, it may be too cold to grow the plants you have. The heat of July may prove to be too much for some of the plants that you have chosen. In order to choose plants that will do best in your climate, you need to know which ones will survive and which ones simply won’t. A cactus is not likely to survive outside in Alaska in October.

Try an Indoor Container Garden

It can be quite simple to start with an indoor container garden. You just need a nice container with holes at the bottom for drainage. Fill it with the type of soil your plant prefers. Place inside. Plants such as basil and ivy are also simple to grow and add a burst of flavor to everything from tomato soup to pasta. Herbs are easy to grow, and they will enliven every meal.

It is unlikely that your plants will thrive unless your indoor areas are warm. If you live in an area with cold winters, invest in materials that keep the room where your plants are at a comfortable temperature.

It will be extremely beneficial to your plants if you install insulated drapes, heaters, and weather-stripping around the windows.

Don’t Overwater

No matter whether the plants are indoors or outdoors, overwatering is the cardinal sin for gardeners. Overwatered plants will drown. It is also possible for them to develop root rot, which will eat away at their roots. Without healthy roots, plants will suffer. It’s not unheard of for a plant to rot or drown when it’s outside. If moisture percolates through the soil too slowly or too much, your plants could perish.

How much water to give? Check the soil and feel it. Never water if the soil is moist. You can tell if a plant is thirsty by its water disappearing quickly. After watering, check the soil every day. If it gets dry, water again. An overwatered plant will show signs of yellowing, losing leaves, and drooping.

Make Sure It Gets Appropriate Sunlight

Your plant’s sun requirements need to be understood. Some, such as daffodils, sunflowers, and roses, require full sunlight. Other plants, including ferns, will die if they receive full sun. They prefer shade or partial sunlight.

Then, adhere to their requirements. Nothing will kill a plant faster than too much sun, or too little sun, if they prefer the shade. Indoor plants that thrive in the shade are likely to thrive with a southern exposure.

If your plants are located in an area where the sun is blocked by trees, shrubs or houses, you will need to prune them so they receive light. You could also move them to a spot where the light is better.

Inspect for Pests

There are a host of pests in your plants, including aphids, ants, weevils, and thrips. You should regularly check to see if any pests are causing damage to your plants.

It is a good idea to use insecticide if you see pest insects. For ants, a bit of honey or jam near the plants will spur them to form a line, which you can then follow back to where they came from. Taking out one or two of them will not help. It’s necessary to target the colony with insecticide.

Keep it Stress Free

Having plants in your space adds color and texture to your home and can give you a great deal of satisfaction. Studies have shown that growing plants reduces stress in our lives. Taking care of plants should calm you down, not cause you stress. If you decide to be a plant parent, do your part and your plants will reward you.

No one is born with a black thumb. The following seven tips will help you grow lush and healthy plants, including shrubs, trees, and even indoor plants. They will help you become a true green thumb gardener.

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