Tricks Longtime Gardeners Swear By
Whether you're starting your spring and summer garden or planting and pruning all winter, some gardening advice is always welcome. It often feels like the tricks, tips, and hacks to help your outdoor plants thrive are endless—and for every great piece of advice, there are some bad suggestions.
With that in mind, we turned to the experts to find some tried-and-true growing tricks they swear by. Here's what they had to say.
Companion planting is a miracle
If you've ever heard the term 'companion planting', you're on the right track, says Nikhil Arora, co-founder of organic plant products company Back to the Roots. For those unfamiliar, Arora explains companion planting is the act of grouping mutually beneficial plants together so they help each other grow.
"One of the most useful gardening tips is to use companion planting," Arora says. "For example, planting marigolds around tomato plants can help deter pests, while planting beans with corn can fix nitrogen and improve soil fertility."
Don't be afraid to prune your plants
Whether you're going for a trendy, wildflower lawn aesthetic this season, Katie Damoney, CMO and trend spotter of gardening brand Monrovia, says pruning is an absolute necessity—but for some reason, it's something people often dread. "Pruning results in thicker, denser growth and more flowers in the spring and a healthier overall plant," Damoni says. “It's something I learned from watching our artisans do it often in our nurseries. Don't be afraid to prune! Give everything in your garden a good haircut before the season starts—especially with your perennials and shrubs.
Use eggshells to fertilize the soil
If you've ever heard that eggshells make excellent compost, don't dismiss it as a silly story. Arora says there is some truth to that. He notes that crushed eggshells add calcium to the soil, which is essential for plant growth and development. In general, Damoni says people underestimate the importance of healthy soil, and if your garden isn't growing as expected, that's the first thing to look into.
"There's no point in planting in terrible soil—the plant's roots won't take hold, the plant won't get the nutrients it needs, and you'll notice your plant suffers," he says. Not sure if your soil needs a boost? According to Damoni, you can easily conduct the test at home, available at a local garden center or online. Then, once you get your results, treat accordingly. "Don't just amend the soil in the planting hole—you need to amend the soil around the plant and throughout your garden," Damoni says.
Make "compost tea".
It seems to upset our stomachs, but our plants love it. Arora assures us that 'compost tea' really works. Yes—that sounds about right. "Compost tea is made by steeping it in water," says Arora. "The resulting liquid is rich in nutrients. It can be used as a natural fertilizer, it's very easy, and it's readily available to your plants."
Use raised beds
Raised beds aren't just popular for their looks—they're a great way to add levels and visual interest to your outdoor space. Plus, Arora says, they actually help your gardens grow. "Raised beds allow for better drainage and soil aeration, and can prevent soil compaction," says Arora. "It makes it easier to control weeds and pests."
Dig wider than deep
Whether you're planting in a raised bed or in the ground, Damoni says there's a misconception about how to dig your hole: It's more about width than depth. "Many people think they need to dig a hole deeper than the plant, but they really need to dig a hole twice as wide as the plant in the pot — the roots will spread out and explore the surrounding area after planting," Damoni says. Then, once your plant is set up, be sure to fill the hole properly. Damoni says, "Don't bury the plant—fill the planting hole so that the root ball or crown is at soil level."
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