6 Veggie Gardening Mistakes You Can Skip
- Jenna Zanchettin
- Apr 19
- 5 min read
Updated: May 17
Beginning a vegetable garden is pretty exciting, yet it comes with a learning curve. Here are six frequent mistakes I observe in vegetable gardening (some of which I might have experienced myself), along with tips on how to fix or avoid them. And let me tell you, this is just scratching the surface.
1. Planting Too Much, Too Close
The mistake:
Sowing an entire packet of seeds in one bed “just in case” they don’t all grow… and then they all grow. Or planting plants way too close and ignoring the spacing instructions on the label.
Why it matters:
Because you're learning, it's really important you follow the guides in the first season so you can learn the habit of the plant. Next season you can become a bit more rebellious, but for now ignore the other people accounts by growing closely. Overcrowding can lead to poor airflow, pest issues, and weak growth as plants fight for light and nutrients. Not always, but it can.
The fix:
Follow the spacing on the seed packet (or even give things a little more room). Plant type of plant in one area - I know there is loads of information on the internet saying mix your plants around, but steady does it, just wait until you master spacing. Most importantly...focus on your garden, not everyone else's.
2. Choosing the Wrong Spot
The mistake:
Choosing a location for your vegetable garden based solely on accessibility rather than ensuring it receives adequate sunlight.
Why it matters:
Most vegetables need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, and ideally, even more. Without sufficient sunlight, plants will struggle to grow and produce fruit.
The fix:
Before planting, observe your garden area at different times throughout the day, including morning, midday, and afternoon. It's also crucial to monitor the area during spring and autumn, as sunlight patterns can shift significantly, especially in smaller, enclosed spaces. The intensity of sunlight varies; some spots may receive ample sunlight in the summer but little to no sunlight in the autumn. Using pots and containers allows for repositioning, providing flexibility in your garden layout. For instance, a location near a fence might offer excellent morning light but become shaded in the afternoon during summer, making it ideal for growing lettuce. However, in autumn, that same spot may remain mostly shaded throughout the day, which is not suitable for lettuce, indicating that relocation may be necessary!
3. Growing Things You Don’t Eat
The mistake:
You grow kale thinking you’ll like it (I can’t stand it). You might be swayed by the appealing pictures on seed packets or feel compelled to plant what others are growing and what you see online or in other gardens.
Why it matters:
If your garden is full of things you don’t enjoy, your enthusiasm will quickly fade. Also, you won't harvest, the plants will just die, and this means wasted time, money, and effort.
The solution:
Make a list of the vegetables and herbs you use most often before going to the garden centre. This way, you won’t be tempted to buy unnecessary items. Also, purchase less than you think you need! Even if it’s just lettuce and tomatoes, at least you’re using your space wisely.
4. Ignoring Your Soil
The Mistake:
Many new gardeners make the error of diving into planting without first assessing the condition of their soil. They often hope that their plants will thrive on their own, and it’s an understandable assumption.
Why It Matters:
Healthy plants require healthy soil. If your soil is too dense, sandy, compacted, or lacking in organic matter, your plants will struggle to reach their full potential. Soil quality is fundamental to successful gardening.
The Fix:
Developing rich, healthy soil in your garden is a process that takes time but requires relatively low effort. While I will delve deeper into soil in a future blog post, it’s crucial to remember that your garden beds need replenishing every autumn and spring, and if you're doing that, you're steps ahead of the rest. After growing vegetables for a few months, the existing soil can become depleted of essential nutrients as the veggies use them to grow.
To restore its vitality and cultivate thriving plants, incorporate compost, garden lime, and blood & bone into your existing soil. Mix this through like a cake into your existing soil. As a gentle reminder, compost is a soil conditioner- think of it like hair conditioner for your garden. Just as conditioner makes your hair luscious, compost enriches your garden soil. Also, it’s important to mix compost with the existing soil rather than using it alone. I know many of you refer to it as dirt, and some buy compost to fill pots by itself or plant veggies directly into it. Let's stop doing that. And if that's too hard, consider purchasing a garden mix, as it typically contains compost, soil, some sort of lime and fertiliser.
5. Letting the Weeds Take Over
The Mistake:
Procrastinating on weeding or crossing your fingers that the weeds won’t overrun your garden.
Why It Matters:
Weeds are hogging the veggies light, water, and nutrients. Plus, they tend to grow faster, so can compete with your plant, and they always win. Not to mention it is so deflating and can put a stop to your gardening enthusiasm.
The Fix:
Realise weeding as a crucial part of your gardening journey! Once those pesky weeds start to flower, it’s game over! Tackle them before they bloom. A little weeding here and there is far easier than a massive cleanup once in a blue moon. When the weeds flower, and the flowers get old and dry, they actually start forming viable seeds, which drop into the soil and start new weed plants, and the plural in plants is not a mistake - some flower heads have loads of seeds within them. You could also try mulching your garden beds with pea straw to keep those new weeds at bay. And if it’s been raining, moist soil makes weeding easy, so head out and start pulling with your original weeder ( the best weeding tool). Lastly, if you’re revamping a neglected garden bed, it’s super important to uproot as many weeds as you can to give your plants the best chance to thrive.
6. Watering All Wrong
The Mistake:
Watering your plants lightly every day or neglecting them for a week and then overwatering them. I always thought it was interesting why were were taught to water 'correctly'. And it's such an important step people miss, sounds ridiculous doesnt it, but mess around and find out.
Why It Matters:
Inconsistent watering leads to stressed plants, shallow roots, and often poor harvests. Additionally, the soil can become so dry that it fails to retain water when you finally do water it.
The Fix:
Water your plants only when they need it. You can use the finger test or scratch beneath the surface to check the soil's moisture level. Insert your finger or a trowel into the soil about 5-7 centimetres; if it feels and looks moist, there's no need to water. However, if it is dry and doesn't adhere to your finger or trowel, it's time to water.
Once you master this technique (and you will eventually just by looking at the soil), you'll become a pro at watering. It's also beneficial to water in the early morning and focus that hose on the soil rather than the plant foliage. Although this is so hard when the plant are large to miss the foliage. And thats why watering in the morning helps us. This prevents burning the foliage, as any water on the leaves act like a magnifying glass under the hot, midday sun.
Thanks & Follow
For more garden inspiration, follow me on Instagram at Jenna Gardens
Although this gardening blog shares my experiences and factual horticultural information, remember that your gardening journey is unique to you. Adapt, experiment, and learn from your own experiences; that's all part of the process.
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