Index
THE MISTAKES WE MAKE IN OUR GARDEN
Based on the analysis of many questions that have come to us, some external consultations, questions from friends, etc. We see that many times the problems coincide, and it is based in most cases on errors of execution or interpretation of what is “happening” to the crop or orchard . We are going to study some questions that every gardening enthusiast should know
1.- «I WATER EVERY 2-3 DAYS»
This habit is also linked to “the more water the better” and is totally wrong. We can’t set a watering frequency if we do n’t know how much watering you need. We explain ourselves better. Watering a pot (for example) with 1/4 L every 2 days is not the same as watering 1/2 L every 4 days. In the latter case, the safest thing is that the irrigation efficiency is very low, the water percolates up to the plate and even gets flooded. What you should do is check the condition of the soil, whether it is wet or dry, to know when and how much to water. Based on this experience, an automated irrigation can be programmed.
2.- PLANT WITHOUT FURTHER ADO
There are some cases in which it is thought that the earth already has all the essential elements for our garden to develop. And when we say garden it can also be ornamental plants, trees, etc., whatever. This “idea” may be feasible in South American regions where the earth still harbors an acceptable amount of organic minerals, but in Spain this is not the case, since agriculture has always been the driving force behind our economy since ancient times (in 1901 66.7% of the people worked in the fields). By this we mean that the land is already consumed and it is essential to apply substrates or fertilizers to correct deficiencies.
3.- NOT KNOWING THE DEFICIENCIES, PESTS AND DISEASES OR MAINTENANCE OF THE PLANT
“My plant has yellow leaves, surely it is iron chlorosis”
This is a big problem in gardening or garden maintenance and we recognize that it is not easy at all. Often an obvious symptom of the plant (yellowing, decay, falling leaves, etc.) can have its origin in different pathologies , deficiencies or cultural practices, etc. and that are difficult to recognize. For example, if I mention chlorosis, the first thing that comes to mind is iron chlorosis, right ? There are many types of chlorosis and correction of the deficient mineral is essential for the development of the plant.
Sulfur deficiency
4.- DO NOT ASSOCIATE THE CROPS IN THE GARDEN
It is a basic rule and if you follow us for a long time you will know that we dedicate many entries to it:
- Crop associations between vegetables
- Rotation of organic crops I
- Rotation of organic crops II
It seems silly but growing two plants that “do not come together”, as children would say, develops poor productions, more susceptibility to pests, less vigor, well, it is not what we want. Sometimes when this happens we go to point 3 to try to find out unsuccessfully what is happening.
In addition, if we combine some aromatic plants with the vegetables from our garden (those that are favorable of course), an even more beneficial association is achieved, removing harmful pests for the crop. And then you can collect them.
5.- KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT AN EXACT SCIENCE
If you go with all the good faith in the world to set up your garden and it turns out that nothing comes out later, the plant dries up without knowing why, even with water or a million other things, do not despair. This is not mathematics and the sum of 2 + 2 is not equal to 4. Sometimes it happens for unknown reasons and for that reason we are not bad gardeners. What am I doing wrong? The same nothing. There are so many variables in cultivation (poor seed germination, saline water, weak plants, animal attacks, etc. etc.) that we cannot assume a bad harvest as failure . You have to try again and always improve with advice and gaining experience. Therefore, do not be discouraged.