Signs That It's Unfortunately Time To Start Over On Your Garden

Gardening, especially when you're new to the hobby, can be quite the rollercoaster ride. One day your plants are sprouting beautiful green foliage and the next day that same foliage may be covered in unidentified pests or fading to a sad, yellow color. On a small scale, these are common gardening issues that can be fixed with a few easy steps. However, if these problems persist or are wide-spread throughout your garden, there may be a bigger issue at play. Alternatively, the work required to solve some of these gardening plights might outweigh the work of simply starting over. If that's the case, then starting from scratch is your best bet.

Although starting over feels like a daunting task, sometimes it is a necessary one. Luckily, there are a few tricks and tips for rebuilding your garden on a budget after losing your plants. Things like sourcing plants and plant cuttings from friendly neighbors or local community groups, for example, can help lighten the financial burden. Starting fresh also gives you the chance to do a little more research so you can better prepare your soil and ensure the growing conditions are ideal for your selected plants and gardening goals.

In addition to persistent, recurring pests and dying foliage that you can't seem to fix, there are a few other signs to look for that indicate it may be time to start over in your garden. One obvious sign is that the seeds in your garden simply aren't sprouting. There are a number of potential reasons for this. You may have planted the seeds too deep or perhaps you're working with an expired seed pack. For those issues, simply planting new, non-expired seeds is the solution. However, soil conditions also play a major role. For example, vegetables aren't meant to grow in topsoil, so if you're waiting for your veggies to pop up with no luck, swapping out the top soil for something more suitable will likely help. If you want to avoid buying new dirt, it could be helpful to familiarize yourself with some old-fashioned ways to revive garden soil instead.

There are other, less serious reasons that might lead you to start fresh. Perhaps you've moved to a new home and aren't happy with the garden layout from the previous owners. Over or under-grown conditions, high-maintenance garden needs you can't keep up with, and a lack of year-round appeal are a few aesthetic indicators of when to start over on your garden. When you're ready to start replanting, make sure to get familiar with all the different tips for growing a healthy garden first.