4 Simple Ways to Maintain a Healthy Garden

Understanding whether a garden is healthy throughout the growing season can be a challenge, particularly when starting a new garden. It can be disheartening and confusing to see plants looking sickly, stop growing or not reach their full potential in one area of the garden, but bloom and flourish in other areas.

Luckily there are a few simple ways to check on the health of your garden that can be done in just a few minutes. Here are 4 easy ways to begin problem solving or simply keep on top of a healthy garden:

1. Check soil moisture levels

Plants, in particular fruit and vegetables, need a regular amount of water to survive and produce healthy yields. Too much water in the soil or over watering can cause roots of plants to rot, wilting and/or yellowing of the leaves and overall no new growth. Too little water can also cause plants to wilt with leaves looking dry and crisp.

Whilst all plants will need various levels of moisture, the majority of plants thrive in soil moisture levels that range between 20% and 60%. The easiest way to check soil moisture is to feel the soil with a finger to check below the surface level. Dark and sticky soil is a sign of moisture. Good watering habits come with practice and checking soil moisture at least once a week will help with knowing how much water the garden needs with seasonal changes.

2. Monitor Soil life

Encouraging life in the soil is essential for plant growth. Soil organisms such as bacteria and fungi, protozoa and nematodes, earthworms and other bugs and insects are found in healthy soil. These organisms help to convert organic matter and soil minerals into the vitamins and nutrients that plants need to grow. Although it’s impossible to see all of the life in the soil (a single teaspoon of soil can hold billions of organisms!), there are a few signs to look for that indicate healthy soil.

Looking for soil life can be done whilst checking soil moisture. Observing bugs, worms and insects in the top 5cm of soil can indicate that the soil is acting as a vital living ecosystem. To promote soil life, add regular top dressings of compost, worm castings and cover the soil with mulch.

3. Air Flow

Proper air circulation is important for growing a healthy garden to prevent the growth of certain fungus, bacteria and mould that can lead to plant sickness. This is particularly important in warmer months of the year or when humidity levels are higher. Plants like pumpkin, cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes and others with vigorous growth patterns will benefit from regular pruning to ensure good air flow.

4. Sun and Shade Patterns

Observing how the garden looks at different times of the year is important to achieve a healthy garden. Certain areas of the garden may require more or less water depending on how much direct sunlight is available. An easy way to understand sun and shade patterns is to make records every few weeks of where the sun hits in the morning, midday and the afternoon. This will show where the direct sunlight hits and areas of part to full shade.

Problem solving in the garden can be tricky, but understanding the basics – water, soil, air and sun patterns are a great place to start. Observing these patterns on a daily or weekly basis will help to ensure that plants stay healthy and can grow to their full potential.

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For more on these tips and others, watch the video below: