Head Gardener, Jane Moore, teamed up with STIHL to offer tips on how to avoid common mistakes (Image: Tom Wren/PinPep / SWNS)
Head gardener, award-winning author and broadcaster Jane Moore has shared her advice on how to avoid common gardening blunders such as neglecting weeds, over or under watering, and disregarding fallen leaves on the lawn. She warns against hastily cutting too much off long grass in one go as it can cause damage, recommending an adjustable mower to gradually reduce the height of the grass.
Moore emphasises the importance of investing in high-quality equipment and maintaining it well by keeping it clean, sharp, and well-oiled for longevity. In collaboration with STIHL, a poll of 2,000 people was conducted to identify the most frequent gardening mistakes.
The top error was leaving weeds unattended for too long, which Moore explains can quickly lead to them flowering, setting seed, and scattering seeds all over the garden. Ignoring fallen leaves also made the top 20 list, as this can rapidly turn a lush green lawn yellow and create bare patches if they are left to lie even for a short period.
She suggests using a blower or rake to remove unwanted leaves and maintain the health of the grass. Other common errors include planting in areas with insufficient sunlight, forgetting to water hanging baskets, incorrect pruning, planting at the wrong time of year, neglecting soil pH balance, and under-fertilising.
Jane remarked: “We all make mistakes from time to time, even seasoned gardeners – that’s how we learn.”
She also shared a tip for watering: “Hitting that sweet spot so you don’t over or under water is tricky, but for plants in the ground, any excess water will just drain away naturally, so don’t worry about watering too much.”
Jane highlighted the importance of consistent watering: “Most plants need watering for far longer than you might expect; trees and shrubs, especially, will need some extra watering, even two or three years after planting.”
Jane confessed that even experienced gardeners can misjudge how quickly new plants will adapt, often requiring more watering than anticipated. She advises paying attention to the sunlight or shade preferences indicated on plant labels and allowing ample space for growth to avoid overcrowding.
A study by tool manufacturer STIHL revealed that 64% of people wish they had greater gardening knowledge. The research found that men are more likely to consider themselves adept at gardening, with 19% claiming expertise versus 9% of women.
However, 22% of men have been known to cut the grass too short, while only 12% of women make this error. Conversely, 43% of women tend to misjudge plant watering, against 34% of men.
The survey conducted by OnePoll identified common obstacles to enjoying gardens, including adverse weather (32%), financial constraints (31%), and a lack of know-how (30%).
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The most common gardening mistakes include leaving weeds for too long, under and over watering (Image: Tom Wren/PinPep / SWNS)
A recent survey has revealed that many aspiring gardeners feel they lack the necessary tools to become proficient in their gardening endeavours. Amongst these sought-after items are soil testers or pH meters, with 19 per cent of participants identifying them as missing from their gardening toolkit, closely followed by long-reach hedge trimmers at 18 per cent.
Other coveted tools include shredders (16 per cent), pressure washers (14 per cent), and leaf blowers (13 per cent). STIHL product manager Paul Hicks noted, “It’s great to see people want to improve their gardening skills and knowledge.”
He recognises the dual challenge for many gardeners: “As well as lacking confidence in knowing what to do, people also lack the tools they need to effectively get a job done.”
In light of this, STIHL hopes that expert tips and advice will help curtail common gardening errors, whether it be over-watering or incorrect pruning, planting, or trimming.
Gardening aficionado Jane contributed her insight: “Knowing the right time to cut your hedge and using the correct tool is essential to do a good job.”
She pointed out, “Shears are perfect for regular trims of your box topiary in summer, but you need a powered hedge trimmer for your beech hedge in autumn.”
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Only 13 per cent claim they are knowledgeable – or even an expert – when it comes to gardening (Image: Tom Wren/PinPep / SWNS)
The study culminated in identifying the TOP 20 MOST COMMON GARDENING MISTAKES.
1. Leaving weeds unattended for too long.
2. Not watering plants enough.
3. Overwatering plants.
4. Planting flora too close together.
5. Neglecting to clear fallen leaves from the lawn.
6. Choosing planting locations with inadequate sunlight.
7. Incorrect or ill-timed pruning.
8. Failing to water hanging baskets.
9. Not providing support for tall plants.
10. Forgetting to clean and maintain gardening tools.
11. Planting during inappropriate seasons.
12. Overlooking signs of plant diseases.
13. Inaccurate edging of the lawn.
14. Cutting the grass too short.
15. Ignoring the pH balance of the soil.
16. Poorly trimming hedges.
17. Insufficient fertilisation.
18. Planting in overly sunny areas.
19. Using incorrect soil types.
20. Planting too near to buildings.
Other mistakes include planting at the wrong time of the year, neglecting soil pH balance (Image: Tom Wren/PinPep / SWNS)
Jane Moore’s top tips to avoid common gardening mistakes:.
1. Read the label – Always follow the guidance provided on plant labels regarding their placement.
2. Sharpen and clean tools – Ensure all gardening tools, whether secateurs or hedge trimmers, are clean, sharp, and well-oiled before use.
3. Preparation is key – Prior to planting, loosen the soil, add organic matter, and ensure plants are firmly placed at the correct depth.
4. Water new plants – All plants, whether potted or in-ground, require thorough watering throughout the summer.
5. Invest in quality tools – High-quality tools, whether battery, petrol-powered, or manual, will be easier to use, provide a better finish, and last longer with proper care.