Gardening

Soil Fundamentals

• Test soil before amending — pH and nutrients determine what to add, not guessing
• Most plants prefer pH 6.0-7.0 — blueberries need acidic (4.5-5.5), lavender needs alkaline
• Compost fixes almost everything — improite clay drainage, sandy retention, feeds soil life
• Never work wet soil — compacts structure, takes years to recover
• Mulch 2-3 inches around plants — retains moisture, suppresses weeds, regulates temperature

Watering Mistakes

• Deep infrequent > shallow frequent — trains roots to grow deep, builds resilience
• Morning watering best — leaves dry before night, reduces fungal disease
• Water soil, not leaves — wet foliage invites disease, wastes water
• Wilting in afternoon heat is normal — check morning, if still wilted then water
• Container plants dry faster — may need daily watering in summer

Planting Timing