Watering, feeding, and pest control for healthy plants.
Watering
How Much Water
| General Rule | Details |
|---|
| 1-1.5 inches per week | For most vegetables and flowers |
| Measure with rain gauge | Know actual rainfall |
| Deep watering | Wets soil 6-12 inches down |
| Frequency | Better less often but deep |
Watering by Plant Type
| Plant Type | Water Needs |
|---|
| Newly planted | Daily until established |
| Vegetables | 1-2 inches weekly |
| Annuals | Regular, consistent |
| Perennials (established) | Drought tolerant once established |
| Trees (established) | Rarely, deep soak in drought |
| Containers | Daily in summer, check moisture |
Signs of Watering Problems
| Underwatering | Overwatering |
|---|
| Wilting in afternoon | Wilting with wet soil |
| Dry, crumbly soil | Soggy soil |
| Brown, crispy leaf edges | Yellow leaves |
| Leaves drop | Root rot smell |
| Stunted growth | Fungus gnats |
Watering Methods
| Method | Best For | Water Efficiency |
|---|
| Drip irrigation | Beds, rows | Very high |
| Soaker hoses | Beds | High |
| Hand watering | Containers, spot watering | Moderate |
| Sprinklers | Lawns | Low |
| Self-watering containers | Containers | High |
Drip Irrigation Basics
| Component | Function |
|---|
| Timer | Automated watering |
| Pressure regulator | Protects system |
| Filter | Prevents clogs |
| Mainline tubing | Carries water |
| Emitters | Deliver water to plants |
| Connectors | Join components |
Benefits:
- Water where needed
- Reduces disease (keeps leaves dry)
- Saves water
- Can be automated
Watering Best Practices
| Practice | Reason |
|---|
| Water in morning | Reduces disease, less evaporation |
| Water at base | Keeps leaves dry |
| Water deeply | Encourages deep roots |
| Check soil moisture | Don't water by schedule alone |
| Mulch | Reduces water needs |
Fertilizing
Understanding N-P-K
| Nutrient | Symbol | Role | Deficiency Signs |
|---|
| Nitrogen | N | Leaf growth, green color | Yellow leaves, stunted growth |
| Phosphorus | P | Roots, flowers, fruit | Purple leaves, poor flowering |
| Potassium | K | Overall health | Brown leaf edges, weak stems |
Reading Fertilizer Labels
10-10-10 = 10% Nitrogen, 10% Phosphorus, 10% Potassium
| Ratio | Best For |
|---|
| High first number (N) | Leafy growth, lawns |
| High middle number (P) | Flowering, fruiting |
| High last number (K) | Root development, stress resistance |
| Balanced | General purpose |
Fertilizer Types
| Type | Release | Application |
|---|
| Granular | Slow | Every 4-8 weeks |
| Liquid | Fast | Every 1-2 weeks |
| Slow-release | Gradual | Once per season |
| Organic | Slow, feeds soil | Annually |
Organic Fertilizers
| Source | N-P-K (Approx) | Best For |
|---|
| Compost | 1-1-1 | All-around, soil building |
| Aged manure | 1-1-1 | All-around |
| Blood meal | 12-0-0 | Quick nitrogen |
| Bone meal | 3-15-0 | Root development |
| Fish emulsion | 5-2-2 | Quick boost |
| Kelp meal | 1-0-2 | Trace minerals |
When to Fertilize
| Plant Type | Timing |
|---|
| Vegetables | At planting, mid-season |
| Annuals | Every 2-4 weeks |
| Perennials | Early spring |
| Trees/shrubs | Rarely (if soil is healthy) |
| Lawns | Spring and fall (cool-season) |
| Containers | Every 2 weeks (nutrients wash out) |
Common Fertilizing Mistakes
| Mistake | Problem | Prevention |
|---|
| Over-fertilizing | Burns plants, excess growth | Follow directions |
| Wrong timing | Weak growth, winter damage | Fertilize during active growth |
| Ignoring soil test | Wasted money, imbalances | Test before applying |
| Only synthetic | Depleted soil life | Include organic matter |
| Fertilizing dry plants | Root burn | Water first |
Mulching
Mulch Benefits
| Benefit | How It Works |
|---|
| Moisture retention | Reduces evaporation |
| Weed suppression | Blocks light |
| Temperature moderation | Insulates soil |
| Soil improvement | Breaks down over time |
| Erosion prevention | Protects surface |
Mulch Types
| Material | Best For | Notes |
|---|
| Shredded bark | Shrubs, trees | Long-lasting |
| Wood chips | Paths, perennials | Free from tree services |
| Straw | Vegetables | May have seeds |
| Shredded leaves | Everything | Free, excellent |
| Grass clippings | Vegetables | Thin layer, dry first |
| Compost | Vegetables | Adds nutrients |
| Pine needles | Acid-lovers | Slow to break down |
Mulch Application
| Guideline | Details |
|---|
| Depth | 2-4 inches |
| Distance from stems | 2-3 inches |
| Around trees | To drip line, not against trunk |
| When to apply | After soil warms in spring |
| Refresh | Annually as it breaks down |
Mulching Mistakes
| Mistake | Problem |
|---|
| Volcano mulching | Trunk rot, pest habitat |
| Too deep | Suffocates roots |
| Against stems | Rot and disease |
| Applying too early | Keeps soil cold |
| Using fresh wood | Nitrogen robbery (OK on top) |
Pest Management
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
| Level | Approach |
|---|
| Prevention | Healthy plants, resistant varieties |
| Cultural | Crop rotation, sanitation |
| Physical | Hand picking, barriers |
| Biological | Beneficial insects, predators |
| Chemical (last resort) | Organic or synthetic pesticides |
Prevention First
| Practice | Benefit |
|---|
| Healthy soil | Strong plants resist pests |
| Proper spacing | Air circulation |
| Right plant, right place | Less stress |
| Crop rotation | Breaks pest cycles |
| Diverse plantings | Attracts beneficials |
| Sanitation | Remove diseased material |
Common Garden Pests
| Pest | Damage | Organic Control |
|---|
| Aphids | Curled leaves, sticky residue | Water spray, ladybugs |
| Japanese beetles | Skeletonized leaves | Hand pick, traps |
| Tomato hornworm | Defoliated plants | Hand pick |
| Cabbage worm | Holes in brassicas | Bt, row covers |
| Squash bug | Wilting, plant death | Hand pick eggs |
| Slugs/snails | Holes, slime trails | Beer traps, copper tape |
| Spider mites | Stippled leaves, webbing | Water spray, increase humidity |
| Cucumber beetle | Holes, disease vector | Row covers, hand pick |
Beneficial Insects
| Insect | Pests They Eat |
|---|
| Ladybugs | Aphids, mites |
| Lacewings | Aphids, caterpillars |
| Parasitic wasps | Caterpillars, aphids |
| Ground beetles | Slugs, other pests |
| Praying mantis | Various insects |
| Hoverflies | Aphids |
Attracting Beneficials
| Method | Details |
|---|
| Plant diversity | Different flowers through season |
| Native plants | Adapted to local beneficials |
| Avoid pesticides | Kills good and bad |
| Provide water | Shallow dish with pebbles |
| Habitat | Leave some wild areas |
Organic Pest Control Products
| Product | Target Pests | Notes |
|---|
| Neem oil | Many insects, fungus | Preventive and curative |
| Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) | Caterpillars | Specific, safe |
| Diatomaceous earth | Soft-bodied insects | Physical action |
| Insecticidal soap | Soft-bodied insects | Contact killer |
| Pyrethrin | Many insects | Broad spectrum, breaks down fast |
| Spinosad | Many insects | Derived from bacteria |
Disease Management
Common Plant Diseases
| Disease | Symptoms | Prevention |
|---|
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Air circulation, resistant varieties |
| Blight (early/late) | Spots, rot | Fungicide, sanitation |
| Downy mildew | Yellow patches, fuzzy underside | Air circulation |
| Rust | Orange/brown spots | Remove affected leaves |
| Root rot | Wilting, mushy roots | Good drainage |
| Mosaic virus | Mottled leaves | Remove infected plants |
Disease Prevention
| Practice | Why |
|---|
| Resistant varieties | Genetic protection |
| Proper spacing | Air circulation |
| Morning watering | Leaves dry before night |
| Water at base | Keeps leaves dry |
| Crop rotation | Breaks disease cycle |
| Clean tools | Prevents spread |
| Remove diseased material | Stops spread |
| Fall cleanup | Eliminates overwintering |
Weeding
Weed Control Strategies
| Method | Application |
|---|
| Prevention | Mulch, dense plantings |
| Hand pulling | When soil is moist |
| Hoeing | Between rows, young weeds |
| Flame weeding | Paths, between plants |
| Solarization | Clear plastic, summer |
| Cover crops | Off-season weed suppression |
Weed Timing
| Principle | Explanation |
|---|
| "One year's seeds, seven years' weeds" | Don't let weeds go to seed |
| Pull when small | Easier, less root disturbance |
| After rain | Easier to pull roots |
| Before flowering | Stop reproduction |
Common Garden Weeds
| Weed | Control Strategy |
|---|
| Dandelion | Remove entire taproot |
| Crabgrass | Pre-emergent, hand pull |
| Bindweed | Persistent pulling, smother |
| Thistle | Dig out taproot |
| Purslane | Hand pull, edible |
| Lambsquarters | Hand pull before seeding, edible |
Seasonal Maintenance
Spring
| Task | Details |
|---|
| Clean up | Remove winter debris |
| Divide perennials | Before active growth |
| Edge beds | Define borders |
| Apply pre-emergent | Before weed seeds germinate |
| Mulch | After soil warms |
| Prune | Before bud break |
Summer
| Task | Details |
|---|
| Water | Consistent moisture |
| Deadhead | Encourage more blooms |
| Weed | Stay on top of it |
| Monitor pests | Regular inspection |
| Harvest | Pick regularly |
| Succession plant | Continuous harvest |
Fall
| Task | Details |
|---|
| Clean up | Remove spent plants |
| Compost | Add garden waste |
| Plant garlic | Before ground freezes |
| Protect tender plants | Before frost |
| Mulch perennials | After ground freezes |
| Winterize irrigation | Drain lines |
Winter
| Task | Details |
|---|
| Plan | Next year's garden |
| Order seeds | Early for best selection |
| Maintain tools | Clean, sharpen, oil |
| Protect | Check winter protection |
| Prune | Dormant season for many |
Key Takeaways
- Water deeply and infrequently - Encourages deep roots
- Mulch everything - Reduces watering, weeding, problems
- Prevention beats treatment - Healthy plants resist problems
- Encourage beneficials - Let nature help with pests
- Weed early and often - Much easier when small
- Fertilize based on needs - Soil test first
- Observe regularly - Catch problems early