1. Pick a Safe, Sunny Spot

Plants and crops need optimal sunlight to grow so ensuring that you pick a sunny spot for your garden is one of the most important gardening rules of all. Select an area that’s free from lots of foot traffic or from animals. Make sure the spot gets plenty of morning and afternoon light so you’ll yield quality results in a shorter amount of time. Too much foot trampling or areas with shadows are two of the worst things for optimal growth.

2. Let Go of Perfection

Don’t feel the need for your garden to be perfect at first. Proper care and sunlight is more important than a raised bed or moderately dry soil. Remember that you can always water and adjust the height of your gardening bed. Plus, even dry soil can be treated with natural fertilizers to yield a better crop. Let go of the need for perfection and focus on your garden’s growth needs - sunlight, water and a safe area.

3. Plant at the Right Time

Certain crops simply won’t bloom just any time of the year and others need several months before crops can actually be enjoyed. For example, carrots must be planted early and late May but won’t start their full bloom cycle until late August. Knowing when to plant which crops you want to enjoy is key, so always do your research first. This will keep you from getting frustrated when you plant something that doesn’t bloom quickly and will explain why you have crops popping up in the middle of winter that you expected to harvest in summer.

4. Keep Weather Conditions in Mind

Many plants and flowers can’t survive past the last frost of the season so it’s extremely important you keep this in mind while you’re planting them. Remember that some will need more water than others and many will require more upkeep if you suffer a drought or damage from a storm.

5. Pruning is Important

Pruning your plants is also important. This means pulling weeds that could stunt their growth or actually kill the plants themselves. You'll also want to regularly check for pests and small critters like rodents. If you’re caring for flowers, it’s a good idea to regularly prune them to pull away dead leaves and check for mold or spoilage from too much water.

6. Don’t Kick the Worms out

See several dirt worms in your garden? Let them be! They’re important for your garden and can actually help it survive. Worms help dig further growing area for your plants deep down in the soil and keep them free of disease and damage. Dirt worms even supply nutrients to your plants that can improve their nutrition. Just make sure to check your veggies thoroughly before bringing them to the dinner table!

7. Organic is Always Best

In terms of your plants, fertilizer, and your soil, organic is always best. Never buy commercial fertilizers that contain chemicals and pesticides. Know what you’re buying and spend the money on the good stuff. This is especially important if you’re growing food items such as veggies, leafy greens and fruits since you’ll be eating them.

Most of these gardening rules are common sense and all of them are easy for anyone to apply. If you garden, what’s your best “must know” gardening rule?

Source: oprah.com