# Gardening Tips Here's an overview of the principles that guide my gardening practices. ## Core Gardening Principles ### Start Small, Think Big Begin with what you can manage well. A thriving small garden beats an overwhelming large one every time. ### Observe Before Acting The best gardeners spend time watching their space—understanding sun patterns, water flow, and existing ecosystems. ### Work With Nature Choose plants suited to your climate and conditions rather than fighting against them. ## Practical Tips I've Learned ### Soil Health - **Feed the soil, not just the plants**: Healthy soil creates healthy plants - **Compost everything**: Kitchen scraps become garden gold - **Mulch generously**: Retains moisture and suppresses weeds ### Water Wisdom - **Water deeply, less frequently**: Encourages deep root growth - **Morning watering**: Reduces disease and evaporation - **Drip irrigation**: Saves water and targets roots ### Plant Selection - **Native plants**: Require less maintenance and support local wildlife - **Companion planting**: Some plants help each other thrive - **Succession planting**: Stagger plantings for continuous harvest ## Specific Plant Knowledge - [[Tomatoes self pollinate]] - Understanding tomato reproduction - [[Raised Beds]] - Benefits of elevated growing spaces - [[Indoor Plant Soil]] - Special considerations for container gardening ## Seasonal Considerations ### Spring - Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost - Prepare beds by adding compost - Prune dormant plants before growth begins ### Summer - Mulch to conserve moisture - Harvest regularly to encourage production - Watch for pests and diseases ### Fall - Plant garlic and overwinter crops - Collect seeds from heirloom varieties - Add leaves to compost bins ### Winter - Plan next year's garden - Order seeds early - Maintain tools and equipment ## Common Mistakes to Avoid 1. **Overwatering**: More plants die from too much water than too little 2. **Planting too early**: Frost can devastate tender seedlings 3. **Ignoring spacing**: Crowded plants compete and underperform 4. **Forgetting to harvest**: Regular picking encourages more production ## Related Resources - [[Garden Planning]] - Strategic approach to garden design - [[Garden Maintenance Routine]] - Keeping your garden thriving - [[SF Terraced Garden Transformation Guide]] - Real-world application - [[MOCs/Gardening]] - Complete gardening knowledge map Remember: Every garden is different, and the best teacher is experience. These tips are starting points—adapt them to your unique space and conditions.