LOCAL GARDEN CENTERS

Bushnell Gardens Nursery
5255 Douglas Boulevard, Granite Bay,
916-791-4199, bushnellgardens.com

El Dorado Nursery, 3931 Durock Road, Suite C, Shingle Springs, 530-676-6555, eldoradonursery.com

Green Acres Nursery & Supply, local locations in Auburn, Folsom, Rocklin, and Roseville, idiggreenacres.com

High-Hand Nursery, 3750 Taylor Road, Loomis, 916-660-0117, highhandnursery.com

The Meadow, 7502 Green Valley Road, Placerville, 530-377-5877, growatthemeadow.com

Gardening can be a rewarding and therapeutic hobby, but even seasoned green thumbs make mistakes that can hinder plant growth and overall garden health. From overwatering to incorrect soil prep, small missteps can lead to big disappointments. To help you cultivate a thriving garden, we asked experts from area nurseries for their top tips.

Water Wisely

Juliet Voigtlander, owner of El Dorado Nursery (eldoradonursery.com), says the number one cause of plant failure is inconsistent watering. “Either too much or not enough, when the plants need it,” she says. “A common misconception is not knowing how your system works. Drip irrigation is meant to be run for longer times and less days. Drip puts out water slowly—allowing it to work its way down to the roots.” 

Additionally, many people don’t water long enough to get a good soaking. “A one-gallon dripper puts out one gallon of water an hour-in perfect conditions. Most people run the drip for 15 minutes, so that’s one-fourth gallon of water—not enough to get the roots moist,” Voigtlander says. “Sprinklers put out a lot of water quickly; running [them] too long makes it hard for the water to percolate to the roots, so you have run off and waste.”

She explains that sprinklers work best with a short blast of water, then again in a few hours, if needed. A layer of wood chips or bark will feed the soil as it breaks down and save water.

Katie Combellack, owner of The Meadow (growatthemeadow.com), says to avoid shallow, frequent watering, which leads to weak roots. Instead, water deeply and less often to encourage strong root growth.

Prep Your Soil

Voigtlander says it’s typical for people to dig way too deep and to not amend the soil. “Nursery plants are grown in perfect soil—native soil is far from perfect,” she says. “We suggest digging wide (twice as wide as the container) and shallow (the roots should just be at ground level or just above). The native soil you dig up should then get blended with a soil conditioner—we suggest Fir Mulch (a bagged product) or an SBC (soil building conditioner) for heavy clay soils (also bagged).” Doing this creates a “transition zone” for the plant to root into and thrive in our native soil. Deep holes create a “sump” and can be a soggy mess, which hurts new roots. Voigtlander insists that people don’t use “potting soil” in the ground, as it’s formulated specifically for containers. She adds that cheap dirt is just cheap dirt, and it’s not going to make your plant happy. “A starter fertilizer will help the roots grow, too,” she says.

Combellack adds, “Don’t forget to mulch! It helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.”

Space to Grow

Overcrowding plants reduces airflow, encourages disease, and limits growth, Combellack says. She suggests always following spacing recommendations. Voigtlander adds, “Plants start out as babies—and just like babies, they grow up. Knowing the mature size of your plant and allowing for that is the best plan. Planting too closely can lead to issues such as fungus, insect invasions, stress, and failure to thrive. If you want to fill up the space until your plants grow, add short-lived perennials.” Examples include lupines, hyacinths, coneflowers, delphiniums, and coral bells.

Pick the Right Plants 

It can be easy to buy the wrong plants, and Combellack reminds gardeners to not assume all plants sold at garden centers thrive in the region. “Always shop your local garden centers,” she says. At El Dorado Nursery, Voigtlander say they have local buyers who order what will do best in the area. “Larger stores may not have local buyers and therefore have plants that aren’t zoned for our area.” She also notes that plant tags (the info on the container) are written for the general U.S., rather than region-specific. “We encourage questions; there are no stupid questions at the nursery. We love helping out,” she says. It's also important to know that spring is not the only planting season,” Combellack says. “Our mild winters allow for successful fall and winter gardening, too!”

Pest Control

“Pests are always around,” Voigtlander says. “Walk around and [observe] your garden; look for issues before they become problems. So many pest problems can be solved with a good jet of water (ants, aphids, spittle bugs), while some need a little chemical attack (scale insects, severe aphids, hornworms). We need to share our plants with the birds and bugs—a few nibbles are OK. The chemical world is changing too, so we’re seeing more ‘natural or organic’ chemicals out there.” With any product, follow the directions, she advises. “More is not better—it is just more. Keeping your plants healthy will also aid in the control of pests. Pests attack plants that are stressed—especially if underwatered or overwatered.”

Just Try It

“Don’t hesitate to try new plants or methods,” Combellack encourages. “Gardening is a learning process, and even experienced gardeners face challenges. Start small.”

With a little knowledge and attention, your outdoor space will flourish season after season. 

by Kourtney Jason

Photo ©AC's Inspired Images - stock.adobe.com. Above photo © Natalia - stock.adobe.com. Right photo ©  - stock.adobe.com.