So, you’ve decided to start a garden—awesome! But if you’re new to gardening, it’s easy to make a few slip-ups that can turn your green dream into a wilted mess. Don’t worry, though—we’ve all been there. Here are five rookie mistakes to watch out for, plus simple fixes to get your garden thriving. Let’s dig in!

Mistake 1: Overwatering Your Plants
It’s tempting to shower your plants with love (and water), but too much H2O can drown their roots and invite rot. For example, tomatoes need deep watering only twice a week—any more, and you’ll end up with soggy, sad plants.
Fix: Check your soil before watering—if the top inch feels dry, it’s time to water. Stick to the care tips on our for specifics, like watering lettuce lightly every other day.

Mistake 2: Planting Too Close Together
Crowding your plants might seem like a space-saver, but it leads to competition for light, water, and nutrients. Zucchini, for instance, needs 3 feet of space to spread out—ignore that, and you’ll get stunted growth.
Fix: Use our to plan your garden’s size and plant count. It’ll help you figure out how many plants fit comfortably in your space.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Sunlight Needs
Not all plants love the same amount of sun. Spinach prefers 4-6 hours, while roses demand a full 6-8 hours. Planting in the wrong spot can leave your garden struggling.
Fix: Map out your garden’s sun exposure before planting. Check our care tips to match each plant with its ideal spot—your sunflowers will thank you!

Mistake 4: Skipping Soil Prep
Planting straight into hard, nutrient-poor soil is a recipe for failure. Herbs like rosemary thrive in sandy, well-drained soil, but heavy clay can choke their roots.
Fix: Loosen your soil with a shovel and mix in compost or mulch (both under $10—see our estimator for costs). It’ll give your plants a healthy start.

Mistake 5: Forgetting Pest Control
Pests like aphids on roses or hornworms on tomatoes can wreck your garden if you’re not prepared. Ignoring them lets the problem spiral out of control.
Fix: Keep an eye out for pests and act fast—hand-pick hornworms or blast aphids with water. Our care tips have more pest-fighting tricks for every plant.

Conclusion
Gardening is a learning curve, but avoiding these mistakes will set you up for success. Want to plan your garden the smart way? Try our to see what your dream garden will cost, and check out our for more pro advice. Happy planting!