Ever wonder why your vegetable garden isn’t thriving? Maybe your plants aren’t producing as many veggies as you hoped — or worse, nothing is growing at all.
You might have to make some significant improvements to your vegetable garden to get it into the desired shape. And for those new to the gardening space, this could feel daunting, and like you’ll never have the big, colorful garden of your dreams.
However, the good news is this can be achieved. Your vegetable garden isn’t producing like you expected, probably due to improper maintenance, and that’s likely because of mistakes you don’t even realize you’re making.
Below are 10 common mistakes that can ruin your vegetable garden and how to fix them ASAP.
Planting Incorrectly
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One of the most common mishaps new gardeners make is incorrectly planting their crops. While gardening isn’t exactly rocket science, it’s essential to understand how to properly plant your veggies to set them up for success.
This means making sure you don’t plant your crops too shallow or too deep into the soil. Ideally, you should plant at the same height the crop was growing in the container you got it from or a little higher when factoring in mulch.
It’s crucial you don’t plant too deeply as that will stunt your veggies’ growth. As long as you keep this in mind, your plants have room to blossom.
Overwatering
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Overwatering seems like a no-brainer when it comes to setbacks in crop production, but many people make this mistake when maintaining their vegetable gardens.
Giving your veggies too much water could lead to root rot and them not growing the way you planned. To avoid this, research how much water each plant needs and care for them accordingly.
For instance, pepper plants generally need one inch of water per week, while rutabagas would benefit from slightly more moisture. Not all crops are the same and shouldn’t be treated as such.
Not Weeding
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Regular weeding is a big part of gardening, as it ensures your weeds don’t get out of control. This could cause them to choke your crops and battle with them for moisture.
Making sure you weed at least once a week is best, and it helps you catch them when they’re younger and simpler to pull out because their roots are shallow.
If you’ve been slacking on this step, it’s likely the reason your veggies aren’t maturing the way you hoped.
Leaving Soil Unprepared
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Another detriment you could be making to your vegetable garden is not preparing your soil before planting. Failing to do this part could cause excess water or nutrient deficiencies, which could hurt your crops.
To keep this from happening, consider testing your soil to determine its nutrient levels and check that there’s good drainage. This could take some time, but it is worth it in the end, as your veggies will thank you.
Choosing the Wrong Veggies
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You might have aspirations of growing various vegetables to always have fresh options for your meals. However, certain crops only thrive during specific times of the year, and depending on the climate and space, you should think twice before planting.
This is another time when you’ll want to research to see which plants can withstand the weather conditions and the seasons in your area.
For example, warm-season veggies thrive the best during late spring, summer, and fall. Meanwhile, there are others that do fine in the winter, such as leafy greens, carrots, onions, broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower.
Over-Fertilizing
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Believe it or not, there is such a thing as over-fertilizing your crops, and you could be doing it if your veggies are struggling to grow. Over-fertilizing can have some harmful effects on your garden, including creating an imbalance of nutrients and making your soil too salty.
You might end up with a plant with bright green leaves, but no vegetables in sight. Make sure you’re not going overboard with the fertilizer by following the directions on the plant and, again, doing your research before planting.
Not Mulching Enough
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Rookie gardeners oftentimes overlook this step: not mulching enough. It’s easy to do if you’re not familiar with the process, but it could be a factor in your crops not growing as they should.
Mulch aids soil in retaining moisture and regulates the soil’s temperature, which is crucial during the summertime. To avoid rot, it is recommended that you lay two to three inches of mulch around your vegetable plants, not too close to the stems.
Keep in mind that it is also possible to over-mulch your vegetable garden, so make sure you’re not dumping too much, as it could suffocate your plants.
Planting Too Close Together
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This is an especially important step for those with a smaller garden space and who want to plant as much as possible at once. Planting too close together could hinder your veggies’ growth because they don’t have enough room to flourish.
Research how much space each vegetable needs, as each one varies. Beets and beans only need four inches of separation to blossom, while Brussels sprouts need up to 24 inches, so it’s a mixed bag.
It’s also worth noting that planting too much in the ground at once could affect production. Consider planting just one or two vegetables, at least for newer gardeners, and then add more as you get more comfortable.
Planting Veggies Too Early/Late
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We’ve touched on the importance of choosing the right vegetables for the seasons, but it’s worth highlighting that planting veggies too early or late could significantly impact their growth.
Planting too early is a common mishap for enthusiastic gardeners eager to get their crops in the ground. However, planting crops that specifically thrive in the heat during cold, nighttime temperatures isn’t doing them any good.
This can also be said if you wait too long to plant your crops, like when the weather is too hot or dangerously close to the first frost. This doesn’t mean you can’t garden during these times, but choosing veggies that mature better in the cool seasons would be ideal.
Ignoring Pests
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If you notice your veggies have been completely ravaged and you don’t know the culprit, it’s most likely from garden pests. Aphids, caterpillars, beetles, and mites are known for damaging gardens in the summertime, and ignoring them will only make things worse.
Keep an eye on your plants regularly to check for chewed leaves and holes or discoloration in your crops. These are tell-tale signs that pests have infested your garden, and you can act accordingly.
Depending on the pests you’re dealing with, you can handle this by maintaining healthy soil, using natural insecticides, or potentially investing in row covers.
Whether you’ve made one or all of these mistakes in your vegetable garden doesn’t mean you can’t turn things around. You can actively take steps to improve the quality of your garden, and as long as you stay on top of the maintenance, you’ll have a colorful array of veggies in no time.
