You’ve heard of “plant parents,” and then you’ve heard of those who “kill every living thing,” so they say. Those that claim they kill every living thing are people who are known to have “brown thumbs.” Someone with a brown thumb is someone with poor gardening skills, whether it’s due to not remembering to water their plants or simply being uneducated about plants, in general. Either way, having a brown thumb isn’t the end-all if you want to be better at gardening.
Becoming a better plant parent requires some basic knowledge, first and foremost. Understanding why plants need sunlight and water to actively make the effort to water your plants when necessary, based on the type of plants you have, is going to play a pivotal role in the lifespan of your gardening journey.
If you indeed want to become a better plant parent and turn your brown thumb green, here are a few tips to consider about gardening.
Need-to-Know Gardening Tips For Beginner Level Gardeners
Your Plant Will Eventually Die
One of the biggest reasons people say they have brown thumbs or claim to be plant killers is because their plants die. But what people don’t realize is that even the people with the greenest of thumbs have plants that die. So there’s no reason to beat yourself up about plants dying because they all do.
You have to consider that insects, animals, and extreme temperatures all play a role in the lifespan of your plants. Some things you have control over and some things you don’t, but if you enter gardening with the understanding that whatever you plant will eventually die, you’ll be able to take some of that pressure off yourself and be able to better take care of your garden.
Start Small
Another reason why people tend to think they have brown thumbs is that they get overzealous and take on more than they can handle. Gardening is a great and enjoyable hobby for many people, but if you’re a beginner, you don’t need to take on expert-level gardening projects; For a beginner gardener, you need to take on beginner-level gardening projects.
Create a Space Conducive to Gardening
People enjoy gardening because it relaxes them and it brings a sense of peace when they’re outside when it’s just them and their plants. If just being outside with your plants is peaceful, just imagine how much more enjoyable your space will be with the addition of outdoor patio furniture, wind chimes, and bird feeders… Your outdoor living space is your blank canvas; Add to it whatever you feel will make your garden and your peace of mind enjoyable.
Plants are a Little on the Expensive Side
If you’ve ever gone to your local hardware or gardening store and just walked around and looked at the prices of plants, you’ll quickly find out that plants are a little on the expensive side. And we’re not just talking about the bouquets of flowers you get from the grocery store, either.
The Lily of the Valley flowers are $15 to $50 per bundle, Lisianthus’ are $10 to $35 per bundle, and Hydrangeas are around $6.50 per stem. So depending on the type of flower you want, and also the time of year you’re shopping for plants, it can put a nice dent in your pockets. Because certain plants are so expensive, that’s all the more reason to do your best to take good care of them.
You Can Be a Gardner in Any Size Space
People try to make the excuse that they can’t start a garden because they don’t have the right amount of space to do so… That’s a complete lie. People in inner cities living in apartments have their own gardens… It’s called urban gardening. You don’t necessarily have to live in a city environment, but if you live in an apartment or a small space, you can still grow beautiful flowers or fresh vegetables without a full yard. As long as you have pots, soil, water, and sunlight, you can start a garden anywhere.
Just be sure to do your research on the plants best suited to grow in pots. For example, you don’t want to grow squash or cucumbers in a pot because they are vine-out wide and will outgrow the pot you placed them in.
Don’t let the idea of having a brown thumb stop you from starting your very own garden. With these tips, you can turn your brown thumb green in a matter of seconds.